pdq, you are correct and I am wrong.

I thought the 1990 law was being followed.

The Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 took Social Security out of the general budget and made it again what is called an "off budget" program.
That law made it illegal to use Social Security for any purpose other than to pay Social Security benefits. The bill was signed by George Bush.
Prof. Smith enlarged on his statements in letters to the Baltimore Sun, August 2010. Those letters are here.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/consuminginterests/blog/2010/08/does_congress_raid_social_secu.html

Congress has ignored the law. Senator Reid called it "embezzlement."

Currently I am getting Social Security payments from the U. S. and from Canada, having worked for the required length of time in both countries.
I hope Canada has better bookkeeping.