Doug Bereuter (R)
While I have not taken a simple "oppose" or "favor" position on the issue of Personal Retirement Accounts as a means to reform the Social Security system, I know that Social Security is a very important program for our senior citizens and for all Americans, and as a member of Congress I certainly intend to act in the best interests of my constituents, to do nothing to undermine the commitments made to Americans through our Social Security system. Congress has never reduced payments to individuals currently receiving Social Security retirement payments, and I believe that attitude will continue.
I am willing to objectively consider creation of voluntary self-directed investment accounts for a small portion, perhaps up to one-sixth of what employees now contribute in payroll tax, if it is in a specified range of investments which preclude the riskiest kinds of investment, and if we give careful consideration to the expected reduction in contributions to the Social Security trust fund and have a plan for covering those reductions. My mind is open on such accounts because of substantial support for this concept among many of my constituents, especially those in younger generations.