Betty McCollum (D)
Social Security
All senior citizens in America deserve the right to retire with dignity. Social Security must be strengthened to preserve the federal government's guarantee of retirement security. I support using $2.3 trillion of the project federal budget surplus to ensure the solvency of Social Security through the year 2050.
I strongly oppose the risky privatization schemes proposed by the Republicans. Social Security must be maintained without exposing retirees to unnecessary economic risk. I am willing to examine very limited individual investment opportunities that will not compromise retirement security.
I oppose raising the retirement age from 65 years to 67 years. We must honor the commitment made to millions of Americans that are planning on retiring at age 65. To protect Social Security for both older and younger Americans I support a Social Security "lock box" that would protect these funds from being raided by other government programs.