There are some changes to Social Security I support

[cali]

I support raising the cap, and yes, I support means testing.

[shraby]

1. I don't support means testing..it somehow always ends up

on the backs of the bottom tier having to show everything but their shoe size to qualify.

[cali]

2. I do. I see no reason why the very wealthy should collect social security

[kcks]

3. Maybe

because they paid into it.

[jtown1123]

9. That would produce no savings and undermine the universality of the program

making it welfare. FDR was heavily against means testing as it would make it easier to cut and privatize.

[daa]

13. It everyone isn't treated equal then it becomes a welfare program

and loses support.

[PSPS]

4. Means testing turns it into a welfare program. Social Security isn't a welfare program.

There's no reason to even consider social security as something needing to be "cut." That comes from the canard that social security somehow plays a role in the federal budget deficit. It doesn't. It never has. It has en enormous surplus and, with very minor tweaks, will continue to be solvent in perpetuity.

[alc]

7. it will pay more than it takes in each year from now on

So it needs to cash in the bonds from the trust fund. And that requires money from the federal budget. So it does play a role in the federal deficit just like any other debt we pay back. Removing the cap will help a little for a few years. That's not a long-term fix to keep it from impacting the deficit or to keep the trust fund from running out (in 30 years) and requiring general funds to pay benefits rather than to service legitimate debt.

I agree with you on means testing.

[jtown1123]

10. Nope. You are not counting interest. it is still in surplus.

[DURHAM D]

5. I would support non-working spouses (and ex-spouses) receiving

SS payments based on their own work history and not on their retired spouses SS check. Currently a spouse receives 1/2 the amount of their retired spouse or an amount based on their own work history - whichever is highest.


The program is totally beneficial for a couple with a non-working or under-working spouse. Single men, single women and two income married couples are screwed by the current setup.

Also, they need to stop paying to all former spouses (ten years married) of a retiree. One man could have 4 or 5 wives receiving SS benefits on his pay in.

[PassingFair]

6. I support leaving it the fuck alone. The repukes would NEVER have gotten away with this.

Dems crowded into meeting halls around here at just the
rumor of changes to SS...

I hope we don't roll over and take it from democrats who will
make the changes,
just because they can.

Last time around, my Senator and a Congressman called for
meetings at the local union hall against SS changes, I wonder
if they will do so again, or if we are truly on our own.

[jtown1123]

8. Means testing will dismantle the program and cuts benefits for pple who made 40k

Not enough wealthy seniors. You need to rethink that.

[BillStein]

11. This thread has been about means testing (so far)

What about raising the cap? Any reason why higher-paid people shouldn't pay more into the fund?

This is a question, not an argument!

[DURHAM D]

12. I think raising the cap is ok but

they would also then need to raise the maximum pay out amount.

JFTR - SS is already regressive on the pay out side. Currently, for higher earners, the more you pay in is not reflected in the later pay out as compared to lower earners and their later pay outs.