It's not a made-up number. US debt to bondholders is around $14.5 trillion. The US also promised Medicare and Social Security payments to retirees that are un

It's not a made-up number. US debt to bondholders is around $14.5 trillion. The US also promised Medicare and Social Security payments to retirees that are underfunded by $59 trillion: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-05-28-federal-budget_N.htm http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-05-28-federal-b... The numbers will vary here according to longevity and interest rates, but the bill is huge, and it will have to be paid with tax money.