Blow to seniors as Ron DeSantis doubles down on brutal changes to Social Security - Daily Express US
Category: News & Politics
Via: jbb • 3 years ago • 138 commentsBy: Patrick O'Donnell (Daily Express US)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Social Security is one of the many issues hurting Governor Ron DeSantis' campaign to be the Republican presidential nominee.
By Patrick O'Donnell 6:28 ET, Tue, Jul 18, 2023
Ron DeSantis doubles down on changes to Social Security
Ron DeSantis is under fire for doubling down on proposed changes to Social Security which could impact when Americans get benefits.
The Florida Governor has issued his support for updating the program for younger people in order to keep it "viable".
The Social Security Board of Trustees' 2023 annual report revealed that funds that support the program will be depleted by 2034.
As a result of this, there will be an automatic reduction in the amount of benefit payments that will be paid to beneficiaries.
In light of this, Republican lawmakers have suggested changes to the current system, which included raising the official retirement age, to keep it solvent.
Appearing on Fox News, Gov. DeSantis defended his faltering campaign and previous record when it comes to Social Security.
On the conservative news network's MediaBuzz program, he was asked about his previous support for privatizing benefits and raising the retirement age to 70 during his time as a congressman.
Former President Donald Trump, the current frontrunner to be the 2024 Republican nominee, has blasted DeSantis over his voting history.
In response to this criticism, he said: "I have always said: 'Promise made, promise kept.' I'm the governor of Florida. Of course, we are going to protect peoples' Social Security.
Young Americans will have to wait longer for their retirement benefits under this proposal (Image: GETTY)
"My grandmother passed away when she was 91. That was her sole source of income and that's true for millions of seniors so that goes without saying.
"When people say we are going to cut seniors' Social Security, that is totally not true.
"Talking about making changes for people in their 30s and 40s so the program is viable, that's a much different thing. That's something there needs to be discussions on."
Last month, the Republican Study Committee (RSC) supported a proposal to phase in the increased retirement age for full Social Security benefits gradually.
This would involve adding four extra months a year to someone's full retirement age until they turn 69 and would apply to those turning 62 in 2033.
According to the American Association of Retired Pensions (AARP), retirement benefits are not set to go away entirely in the next decade but claimants will see their payments decrease significantly.
The organization stated: "That does not mean Social Security will no longer be around; it means the system will exhaust its cash reserves and will be able to pay out only what it takes in year-to-year in Social Security taxes.
"If this comes to pass, Social Security would be able to pay about 80 percent of the benefits to which retired and disabled workers are entitled."
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DeSantis Wins "Douchbag Of The Week", again!
He has to beat the invincible one!
One day, a few years ago, Desantis looked at Trump and saw how horrible and popular he is. "I'll just be twice as horrible and that will make me twice as popular" said Ron. Somehow it just doesn't seem to be working as well for him.
Lol …. The DeSantis shift has begun … DDS begins ….
Why not? The majority of Americans can still be gainfully employed at 70.
And it would be very gradual
Yep, last time it was over 20 years I believe.
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From your article:
You can bitch about people trying to fix this, tell us what should be done?
Dailyexpress US?
National enquirer too highbrow now?
Did he say it or not? Other sources say yes!
So many show their ignorance and greed when it comes to Social Security.
1.) SS was last saved in 1983 when reforms included increasing full retirement age from 65 to 67.
2.) Life expectancy in 1983 was about 74. It’s about 79 now so another age increase is logical.
3,) The tactic of kicking the can down the road to future generations is the epitome of negligent.
Every semi informed person understands changes will have to occur to keep the program solvent. It’s simple math. If nothing is done, benefits will be cut. That’s a fact.
desantis is not joe Biden. He’s not going to illegally order changes to the program. Congress will have to do it, and the only way that will happen is with bipartisan support it will take to get 60 senate votes.
everything that doesn’t take that into account is just partisan fear mongering to scare gullible democrats.
We're not talking about logical.
We're talking about Alice in Memeland.
Last I read this story is a hair on fire fear mongering piece. They are NOT cutting present benefits. Just future ones. Smoke and mirror bullshit trying to scare seniors,
Fortunately, there aren't many seniors in Florida.
Fortunately few of the Seniors in Fla right now will be affected by any of this.
Keep crying wolf …..
I guess 30 years olds are senior citizens now
Workers in Florida hope to retire someday!
SS combined funds are due to run out in 2034, one year sooner than previously projected. Incoming SS revenue allows for only 80% of projected benefits will be payable. But the fund used to pay retirement benefits is due to run out even sooner in 2033, ten years from now.
Maybe we should wait until then to figure a way ahead out.
I always doubt the good faith of this kind of argument.
Raising revenues is just as effective as lowering disbursements, for balancing a budget.
When are the Dems going to propose that?
Democrats have proposed the income limits on Social Security contributions either be raised or removed to bring significantly more income into the system. The gop has blocked any increased contributions to the system...
Benefits would be unchanged but higher income earners would contribute more.
But no tax increase on those making less than $400K, right?
What SS legislation was voted on in the 117th Congress to amend the Social Security program by increasing revinue?
What has this question to do with my doubt about that argument ever being in good faith?
Oh, wait... a dodge... I guess it is pertinent.
Nothing, it's related to your comment:
You dodged the question, not I.
To fixing the problem, yes.
Workers have a significantly longer life expectancy than the last time retirement age limits were set. Do try to keep up.
Isn’t the cliche, “70 is the new 60”,?
yeah only 7 or 8 Million over 54
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Although we need to take steps to address the ever-lingering social security problem, I continue to wonder about DeSantis' campaign strategy. Declaring war on liberals and projecting a threat to seniors seems to be counter-productive for someone who seeks to be PotUS.
Very strange.
How is this a threat to seniors? I'm assuming most seniors understand that they are not in their 30s or 40s and would not be in any way effected by this plan should Congress one day enact it into law.
I'm assuming Seniors aren't gullible enough to fall for this headline, but maybe they are that easily manipulated.
The talk of raising the retirement age is the threat, Sean. Obviously. DeSantis has supported that in the past.
You have some understanding of how this works. Seniors are very sensitive about changes to Social Security. The changes that affect younger people are not the concern. It is vague talk of changes to benefits and the talk of raising the retirement age that is the problem.
If I were advising DeSantis, I would advise NOT including changes in SS as part of the campaign. Even if there was zero effect on seniors, seniors will be concerned and that bodes poorly for DeSantis.
No one on SS or Medicare presently are affected by this.
Correct. Pay attention to what I am writing Jim.
That won't apply to Seniors. Obviously. But feel free to explain how raising the retirement age for non-seniors will threaten seniors.
Even if there was zero effect on seniors, seniors will be concerned and that bodes poorly for DeSantis.
At some point someone is going to have to be a leader. The problem isn't going to go away or get better because Biden pretends it doesn't exist.
Yes, as this article shows, dishonest media will capitalize on any mention of reform to scare ignorant voters. And maybe its too much to expect informed democrats to step up and admit the truth of the situation instead of demagoguing it for partisan advantage. So ignoring the issue and lying to voters when asked is probably the safer way to play given the dishonest environment he operates in. But DeSantis is running as a guy who solves problems (as opposed to Trump and Biden ) and ignoring the biggest looming problems isn't really compatible with that.
Are you a senior? Stop pretending to know how we think...the vast majority of us know exactly what's going on and what needs to be done to update Social Security. We don't care about raising the retirement age, but are a tad concerned about potential reduced benefits because Democrats don't want to reform SS and want to play politics and fear monger instead of being a part of the solution.
Working people, voters, in their forties, fifties and early sixties who have thirty or forty years of hard work behind them will now be less likely to support DeSantis!
Not that that is necessary a bad thing...
You need everything explained to you?? If someone is in their 50s or 60s they will obviously be concerned that raising the retirement age will affect them. That will increase the chatter about SS and all sorts of fears will be stoked. And, as I pointed out, even if there is no effect on those who are already 65 or older, talk of changes to SS will raise concerns and fears. This works against DeSantis. It is counterproductive. See?
Surely you understand this.
Of course. Why is it that you cherrypick instead of taking my comment as a whole and actually address the point I made? Look how I started my post:
Do you not comprehend that I recognize the need to act but am pointing out how including this as part of a campaign is counter-productive?
And of course, another R weighs in with complete bullshit that disregards the point I made, puts words in my mouth, and makes a strawman argument.
Are you not able to engage people without resorting to dishonest tactics?
My point was that it is dumb for DeSantis to have this as part of his campaign. Hello?
How can they not understand this??
They have time to make investments and plan for the future. You make it sound as though SS is all they will have. If so, they need to get educated in finance.
Of course they have time. That does not change the fact that anyone who has contributed heavily to the system will naturally not be pleased with talk that suggests they will get little (or possibly no) benefits.
This is just common sense now.
So, yes, something needs to be done and it will likely be painful. And those effecting the change will be blamed (no win scenario). Thus (and this is my point) it is unwise for DeSantis to have this as part of his campaign.
Declaring war on liberals and now this does not seem like smart moves for someone hoping to secure a win in the general election for PotUS.
Do you understand what I am saying?
absolutely! I wish someone had sat me down when I was 25 and talked about investments instead of selling me savings bonds
I understand what you meant. I think it was 20 or so years ago when I was still relatively young (40) that I was informed that my full retirement age would be 67. Ok, no big deal. That doesn't mean I can't retire until I'm 67, it just means I won't get my full bennies until then.
This talk of raising the age to 70 doesn't scare me. It won't have any effect on the people in my age group. It will affect the people just now starting out in their careers. They'll be fine if they can find a good financial adviser
So you apparently do need everything explained to you. DeSantis's plan to raise retirement ages will not apply to people in their 50s and 60s. Is that clear?
So for the third time, given that DeSantis' plan, including the raising of the retirement age, doesn't apply to seniors, how is it threatening it to seniors?
o you not comprehend that I
Do you not comprehend that I recognized that it could be risky?
How can Democrats not understand they are going to get burned by doing nothing? Telling people there's no problem with entitlements is going to backfire.
My point was that this is NOT something that should be associated with a campaign for PotUS.
My point was that this is NOT something that should be associated with a campaign for PotUS.
Have you ever heard of the 3rd rail?
If DeSantis wants to help fix SS he needs to first get elected. Ergo my comment @9 on campaign strategy.
In short, do not introduce potential poison pills into your campaign.
So you do not think that riding the 3 rd rail will have a negative impact on DeSantis' campaign.
I disagree. When the younger folks see that someone, finally, wants to fix SS, they will want to support him.
Lefties, as always, will do their best to stir up their emotions with elaborate lies and more fear mongering.
That's what Dems do
Declaring war on liberals and all the corrupt shit they stand for is his best move yet. Watch and learn as this campaign heats up.
Only the growth of inflation has slowed a bit, but there is no guarantee that it will not increase again,
More importantly, prices have not come down much, if at all
It worked so well for the 2022 mid-term 'red wave' to retake both chambers of Congress that doubling down just HAS to be a sure win!
Of course you do. And you thus ignore the ill-effects of older voters ( a huge voting bloc ⇣ ) reacting harshly to changes to SS.
You think that will work in DeSantis' favor in the general election should he be the nominee?
I just won't dignify your bullshit with a serious answer.
The 3rd rail is energized by fear, uncertainty and doubt. Even if there would be no effect, those factors are in play. History proves this.
You ignored my second sentence even though you quoted it:
Amazing that you do not know this already. It is very easy for an opponent to strike fear, uncertainty, doubt into the minds of voters when someone has tied SS change to their campaign. It does not have to be true. Surely you have seen this happen.
You have already told us (illustrated to us) what you do not know.
It's easier than thinking and expressing the thought.
We are the stage where you have nothing left other than trolling.
Your opinions are all based on "what-ifs", and do not reflect reality.
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I can speak directly to this.
I was in my early 20’s the last time retirement age was increased. I don’t recall even blinking an eye. And make no mistake. Had reforms like that not been made around 1983 we won’t be having this discussion today. Those reforms saved SS as we knew it.
Many of you who were still crapping in your nappies back then wouldn’t understand.
Those in their early 20s are not going to care. It is the older folks who care.
Hell, young people today have little expectation of seeing SS benefits. The older people are the ones with expectations.
Obviously!
What do you mean by older people? Please be specific.
Oh, and nice snark!
People today who have contributed to SS for decades.
Nice non specific answer.
This is pretty simple. SS needs to be fixed to remain 100% solvent. Retirement age has not been modified for 40 years. Life expectancy has gone up in that 40 years.
I praise DeSantis for having the balls to speak the truth and not be a pussy and kick the can down the road like so many before him.
The partisan attacks on him for this are nothing but greed and narcissism
What do you need, Sparty, something like 51.3 years old? Such a childish game you play. I defined what I meant by older even though my comment was already quite clear. Most of us can understand 'older' vs 'younger' in the context of social security without someone defining those terms for us.
Obviously it is the older people who have contributed for decades who will be concerned about potential changes to social security.
Further, my point was that this is a bad campaign strategy for DeSantis. History has shown that it is counter-productive to engage the third rail in presidential campaigns. It grants your opponents an easy shot to strike fear in your would be voters.
The smart move would be to work on SS once PotUS. Ultimately job#1 is to get elected.
No, older people don't care. You haven't submitted a bit of evidence supporting your claim.
They have such little faith in the power of our SS lock box.
You need evidence that older people who are within range of getting benefits from their decades of contribution to SS do not care that there could be a reduction in the benefits they will receive??
Do you need evidence that tomorrow will be Wednesday too?
Why do some like you resort to such utter foolishness? Do you think readers are morons?
Exactly, I'm 69 and haven't started to collect my SS yet, but when I do, I'll give you my full benefit check when you pry it from my cold, dead hands.
You are not in any danger of losing benefits.
However, there are plenty of people your age and older that historically freak when there is talk of changing SS. It is irrational fear but it affects votes and that makes it real.
And then there are people younger than you who are still working (in their 50s and beyond) who will almost certainly lose benefits and after decades of contributions they very likely do not want to see results that affect them personally.
And then we have the younger group which for the most part (increases with youth) have already accepted that SS will not benefit them. These folks are the ones that would be motivated to shore up SS so that they might get something out of their contributions.
The larger voting bloc, however, are the older people.
So, again, back to my point @9, this seems like a dumb move to link the third rail to the DeSantis campaign.
I'm less concerned about what politically is smart than recognizing and addressing the problem before it gets worse.
I want to hold politicians accountable when they do wrong.
Is it reasonable to have to explain something like this? Must we explain why something falls when dropped?
This appears to me to be a tactic: bog down an "adversary" by asking useless questions that consume time and energy.
Another form of trolling?
No, an equivalent question would be, ‘what is the relative g-force’.
Only to someone unable or unwilling to answer a reasonable question. If age is a policy qualifier, then the age of someone effected is a reasonable discussion point.
No,
They have already changed the SS ages on me once. I'd not vote for someone wanting to do it again. Not unless they also supported a 4 day work week with the same vigor.
More snark ….okay, knock yourself out … the mafia will always vote that shit up for you while complaining about it for others here.
Lol …. 51.3? Nah, let’s go to hundredths, then we can round up to the tenths if applicable.
See above.
Your definitions of “older” and “decades” have little precision and certainly aren’t specific. Older is just plain subjective. Older to me is over 70. Older to a 20 year old could be 40 or less. And decades? How many? Two? Three? Four perhaps? You refusal to provide a more specific age range on this topic is telling. Very telling.
Your point was noted. My point was he had the balls to take a correct stand that might hurt his campaign. And i respect that. I for one am tired of being lied to by no account politicians.
Perhaps you enjoy being lied to. I don’t.
And at a certain point you dismiss their continued comments as intellectually dishonest trolling because it is obvious that others (such as yourself) see right through the bullshit.
Good grief Drinker, do you really not comprehend the meaning of this without me defining a specific cutoff age for "older" in the context of social security benefits?:
followed by
If I tell you that tomorrow is predicted to be warmer than today, do you really need a specific number to get the message? Do you need me to tell you the prediction for tomorrow is 98 degrees whereas today we expect a high of 94 degrees? Do you need an explanation of what it means, in thermodynamics, for something to be warmer? You need me to state that this is warmth in terms of actual temperature or a function of temperature and humidity?
Don't encourage trolling.
Older people will be more concerned than younger people about current social security changes potentially lessening their benefits. (Indeed the younger people have largely assumed they will not see any benefits so any change might be for the better to them.)