Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida indicated they would not alter the retirement age for younger workers, while former governors of New Jersey, Chris Christie, and Nikki Haley, the ambassador to the UN, supported the idea. The last two are consistent with the views of Donald Trump, the former president, who was not present at the discussion.
At the NBC News Republican presidential debate, none of the contenders made any mention of reducing entitlement benefits for seniors. This move might potentially alienate older voters, who consistently attend polls throughout election seasons.
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However, Christie and Haley contended that it is impractical to believe Social Security can continue to be sustainable without a systemic change.
Christie said that he will increase the retirement age for those in their 30s and 40s currently employed. As early as age 62, citizens of the United States who have paid into the Social Security system are eligible to receive benefits.
“My thirty-year-old son is here tonight in the crowd. Christie said, “I have bigger problems with him than his Social Security payments if he can’t adjust to a few-year increase in the Social Security retirement age over the next forty years.” “The truth is that we must approach this with realism.”
Christie also supported the idea of a means test, which would prevent affluent people from qualifying for certain government programs. The former governor said, “I don’t know if Warren Buffett is collecting Social Security.” “But you should be ashamed; you shouldn’t be taking the money if he is.”
Haley proposed raising the retirement age for employees who are currently in their 20s. She is also in favor of means testing and inflation-based benefit increases.
“A candidate is not being serious if they tell you they won’t accept entitlements. Medicare will fail in eight years and Social Security in ten,” said Haley. “At this moment, Ron and Trump are standing with Biden and Pelosi in declaring that they will not alter or implement any kind of entitlement reform.”
On the Miami stage, other contenders said they would not touch the politically touchy third rail.
Scott said, “Let me just say to my mama, and every other mama or grandfather receiving Social Security: As president of the United States, I will protect your Social Security.” He also said he would reduce government spending and taxes, create employment, and address the country’s debt.
According to Scott, “picking on seniors who have paid into a program that deserved their money coming back out to them is not how we’re going to actually tame this tiger.” The first step in handling it is to expand your economy.
When Kristen Welker of NBC News pressed Scott on raising the retirement age, he said, “The answer is no.”
Millions of pensioners live in DeSantis’ state. He made a joke, saying, “Look, as governor of Florida, I know a few people on Social Security.”
“Like many older people in this country, my grandmother lived to be ninety-one, and her only source of income was Social Security,” DeSantis added. In light of this, I would advise elders in America to keep their promises. I recognize that you’re struggling with growing costs and that you depend on your Social Security benefit.
He also mentioned the current decline in American life expectancy, which has been partly attributed to the opioid crisis and the Covid-19 outbreak. “It seems impossible to increase life expectancy in the opposite direction when it is decreasing,” he said.
The response from businessman Vivek Ramaswamy was not that simple. The subject of whether he will raise the retirement age was not addressed directly by him. However, it seemed as if he might be able to save the program by closing down certain government agencies, drastically reducing the number of federal employees, and reducing the amount of foreign military and economic help that he claims has been given “willy nilly.”
We’re working inside what I think is the final window of opportunity to genuinely resolve this issue while maintaining existing seniors’ access to Social Security and Medicare benefits, according to Ramaswamy.Republican
