Which Democrat is most committed to protecting Social Security?
Paul Waldman’s op-ed in The Washington Post takes readers through the positions of the Democrat candidates on Social Security. They are more similar than different, in that nearly all favor tax and benefit increases of some nature. All also oppose any benefit cuts or increases to the retirement age. Waldman explains the recent “tiff” between Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden is really about Biden’s past support for a center-right mindset that “deficits are bad” and “Social Security must be fixed”.” This thinking was pervasive in Washington for decades and stated that Social Security was in crisis and the solution included an increase in the retirement age or cut in benefits. It is that thinking where Biden is now looking to put some distance. Read the full op-ed here.
The Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) believes Social Security must be preserved and modernized. This can be achieved by making modest changes in cost of living adjustments and the retirement age, with no additional taxes on workers. AMAC advocates for a bipartisan compromise, “The Social Security Guarantee Act,” taking selected portions of bills introduced by former Rep. Johnson (R-TX) and current Rep. Larson (D-CT) and merging them with the Association’s own well researched ideas. One component is Social Security PLUS, a new, voluntary plan that would allow all earners to have more income available at retirement. This component is intended to appeal especially to younger workers. AMAC is resolute in its mission that Social Security be preserved and modernized and has gotten the attention of lawmakers in DC, meeting with a great many congressional offices and their staffs over the past several years. Read AMAC’s plan here.