It's possible because you don't have a Social Security
balance. There's no statement that says "you personally have $250k in your account" like a 401(k) or IRA does. So, no one notices when Congress goes fishing in it.
Frankly, I (34) do think it'll be solvent by my retirement. It'll still have funds to pay about 3/4 of current benefits without changes to the system. As it gets closer, political change will likely get easier as Congress doesn't want lose their cushy jobs en masse.
