The nation’s key program for retiree benefits continues to see financing shortfalls. Unless Congress acts, those drops could lead to payment cuts in eight years.

The number of retirees claiming Social Security at age 62 declined between 2019 and 2023 among men and women, according to data from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. For men, the percentage declined from 31% in 2019 to 26% 2023. That compares to 27% of women claiming at 62 in 2023, down from 34% in 2019.

Social Security will not be able to fully pay monthly benefits to tens of millions of retirees and people with disabilities in 2034 if lawmakers don’t act to address the program’s pending shortfall, according to an annual report released Wednesday by Social Security’s trustees.