Voters Reject Republican Proposals to Cut Social Security for Americans Under 50
By Abby Springs
Last month on Fox News, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was asked about his plan to protect the viability of Social Security. In response, DeSantis said he would not touch Social Security benefits for current seniors, but “talking about making changes for people in their 30s and their 40s so the program’s viable — that’s a much different thing, and something I think there’s going to need to be discussion on.”
This year, DeSantis, former vice president Mike Pence, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley have all proposed changes to Social Security for younger Americans in their campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination. However, new polling from Data for Progress finds that these proposals are extremely unpopular with voters across party lines. We find that 82% of voters oppose cutting future Social Security benefits for Americans under 50, including 84% of Democrats, 80% of Independents, and 83% of Republicans.
Republicans have argued that these proposed Social Security cuts are necessary to ensure that Social Security remains financially solvent — meaning the program would have enough funds to fully pay out beneficiaries — without affecting seniors currently receiving Social Security benefits.
However, other proposals, such as the Social Security Expansion Act or Social Security 2100, could extend the solvency of Social Security while increasing benefits for current and new recipients. These plans would be paid for by increasing taxes on wealthy Americans.
We find that 74% of voters would prefer to increase taxes on the wealthy to protect Social Security, while only 15% of voters would prefer to cut future Social Security benefits for Americans under 50.
The survey also asked voters if they would be more or less likely to vote for a candidate who supported cutting future Social Security benefits for Americans under 50. Seventy-two percent of voters, including 72% of Independents and 66% of Republicans, say they would be less likely to vote for such a candidate.
Protecting and expanding Social Security benefits for young people is possible — but it’s no surprise that Republicans hesitate to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans. The proposals made by Republican presidential candidates are out of touch with the will of voters, who clearly want young people to retire with the same benefits received by their parents and grandparents.
Abby Springs (@abby_springs) is the Press Secretary at Data for Progress.