The FBI has released a warning about a sophisticated scam targeting older adults, involving three calculated phases designed to establish trust and create urgency. Authorities caution that this approach leaves many vulnerable to financial and personal harm.

A new analysis by Seniorly warns that retirees in 41 U.S. states, plus Washington, D.C., could outlive their savings. In one state, the shortfall nears an astonishing half a million dollars—underscoring the depth and urgency of this nationwide concern.

After nine decades of providing a financial foundation for millions of Americans, Social Security now faces pressing questions about its future. From concerns over the trust fund’s viability to the role that Congress might play, the program stands at a critical crossroads.