Social Security Solvency: Lindsey Graham Thinks Seniors May 'Have to' Take Less Money -- Can They

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Afford a Benefits Cut?

In a June 13 Fox Nation debate, Sen. Lindsey Graham said seniors may have to “take a little less” and “pay a little more in” when debating Social Security solvency, reports Knewz via MSN. Graham made the comments while debating Sen. Bernie Sanders during a “Senate Project” debate.

“Let’s do something like Ted Kennedy would do: get Republicans and Democrats to find a way — like the Gang of Six, the Simpson-Bowles plan. Senator Sanders: bring your Social Security plan to the floor. All it does is raise taxes. To get out of this mess, people like me are going to have to take a little less and pay a little more in. We’re going to have to adjust the age one more time like Ronald Reagan and Tip — Tip O’Neil did. There is a bipartisan way forward. You describe problems, but your answer is always the government — it’s always socialism,” Graham said.

The estimated average Social Security retirement benefit in 2022 is $1,658 a month, announced the Social Security Administration. While this is a $93 increase from the year before, benefits only cover a portion of seniors’ living expenses. For his part, Sanders admitted that Social Security “does have a solvency issue,” but that his proposal — also backed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren — would extend solvency for 75 years while increasing benefits for recipients by $2,400 per year. Sanders’ proposal would ostensibly fund this expansion of Social Security via a tax on high-earning households, per CNBC.

Graham also said that Sanders’ Medicare for All program would eliminate private-sector health care, which would be extremely costly. Knewz reported that Sanders, along with 14 other senators, introduced the Medicare for All plan in May to “guarantee health care in the United States as a fundamental human right to all.”

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/social-security-solvency-lindsey-graham-160343037.html

You first Lindsey.

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Go to hell, Lindsey.

[exboyfil]

2. Lift the cap

That is a place to start. Social Security is a subsidized social system for those lower earners (current year dollars about $60K/yr) subsidized mostly by those making up to $147K/yr. Also two earner incomes subsidize the system more than a single earner household (my wife will be collecting half my SS even though she has contributed very little to the system). Also once you have 35 years of good salary, then you don't push the needle much for that last 10-15 years of work.

I would propose adding a fourth level of percentage for calculating benefits. Right now it is 90%/32%/15% - make the fourth level 1% so those over the current cap will still get something for their SS contribution.

[Grins]

10. Not "Lift"! PULL IT!

No cap at all!

[mahina]

3. Is Lindsay sabotaging the Republicans?

Between Bernie and Elizabeth’s plan to tax billionaires and increase and strengthen social security and Medicare, or this?

[Best_man23]

4. GET OFF MY ROOF LINDSEY

Sorry, had to shout that at one of the Turkey Vultures that's been perching on my roof (the other one is named Ted Cruz).

That said, if Lindsey wants to go this route, he and the voters who voted for him should be the first ones to "take less money."

[nini]

5. nah.. let's dock his pay a bit

It's easier for him to take a hit than someone trying to survive on 12k a year.

[Baitball Blogger]

6. Lindsey is out of touch.

[XanaDUer2]

7. Are democrats trumpeting this?

And if not, why not?

[ReluctanceTango]

14. You have witnessed our media, have you not?

They give endless platforms to GQP thugs to air their position, and few if any to Democrats.

It's only been that way since the 80s.

[gratuitous]

8. Anything to avoid raising taxes on Elon Musk

Or cutting the defense budget (projected to be $813 billion next year). Republicans are determined not to take care of our own people, but have decided to help the truly needy: The Have Mores.

[Bettie]

9. Didn't W "borrow" 1.3 (I think) Trillion from the fund

for his war in Iraq? I don't think that was ever paid back...should be, with interest.

[IcyPeas]

11. millionaire says what? /nt

[JHB]

12. the Simpson-Bowles commission never came up with a plan. Once they failed...

...the two of them just put forth a conservative wish-list that went nowhere.

It wasn't nicknamed "the cat food commission" for nothing.

[spanone]

13. This is always the bullshit we get from the republicons.

fuck you graham