All voters love Social Security and Medicare
So why isn't our President and Congress protecting them?
Social Security was a prominent feature of The New Deal, a series of public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Despite having a surplus of $2.8 trillion in 2024, the future of the fund remains a contentious issue with stark divisions between the two major political parties.
Social Security, now in its 86th year, remains the most beloved government program. It enjoys widespread support from Democrats, Republicans, and independent voters alike, with 96 percent approval in an AARP survey.
According to the Pew Research Center, 74% of Americans believe that Social Security benefits should not be cut in any manner. A majority of voters from both political parties are in favor of boosting funding and increasing its minimum benefits.
Social Security and Medicare are pocketbook issues for most seniors, and everyone else who hope to retire some day.
Social Security has a significant impact on rural communities
Social Security plays an even more crucial role in rural areas. Families residing there earn approximately 25% less than their urban counterparts and are also less likely to have access to company pensions or retirement savings.
However, rural voters tend to lean towards supporting Republicans. However, Social Security creates a divide between the financial interests of Republican voters and actions of their elected representatives.
The Republican House will reduce funding and benefits
The House Republicans’ budget for 2025 significantly reduces spending on Social Security and Medicare by a staggering $2.7 trillion over the next ten years. This amounts to more than 8% of the current budget.
Elected Republicans are also increasing their efforts to privatize Medicare. Their goal is to have private plans as the automatic option for new participants.
What the Democratic candidate for President proposed
Increasing the threshold at which wages are exempt from payroll taxes beyond the current $176,100 cap, or eliminating the cap entirely, are potential solutions. That would impact the top 6 percent or of wage earners. Presidential candidate Kamala Harris had proposed to tax wages above $400,000 while leaving income between $168,000 and $400,000 untaxed, would solely affect the wealthiest 1 percent.
Social Security Administration under Trump is reducing services
President Trump inherited a Social Security Administration whose staffing was already at a 50 year low, while an average of 10,000 new claims are processed daily. Yet Elon Musk has already announced cuts to that workforce by 7,000 employees, with plans to further reduce it by 50 percent.
The direct effects of the layoffs on the benefits of the 72.5 million Social Security recipients, which encompass retirees and children receiving retirement and disability support, remain uncertain. Nevertheless, advocates and Democratic legislators caution that these layoffs may hinder the agency’s capacity to provide timely services to beneficiaries.