Barney Brannen (D)
Social Security
Congress must demonstrate real fiscal responsibility, first, by using the projected federal surplus to pay down our national debt, and second by using interest savings from the debt to shore up Social Security for future generation of retirees. I am opposed to privatization of Social Security, in particular to a system of individual private accounts, because it will take the security out of Social Security. Privatization would divert payroll contributions from the Social Security trust fund, require 50% cuts in the guaranteed monthly benefit and transfer the risks of retirement security to individuals. Congress should maintain Social Security's guaranteed monthly benefit, plus enable and encourage individuals to invest for their retirement on top Social Security. We must also reduce poverty among women over 65, particularly widows, by reforming Social Security to recognize the contributions they've made both in and out of the workforce. I do not support raising the retirement age or imposing means testing.