ISSUE GUIDES: Social Security

PUBLIC VIEW: BILLS & PROPOSALS
  • Seven in 10 Americans say problems with the Social Security system are so serious they must be fixed now
  • Two-thirds of voters say they would rather pay more in taxes than cut funding for Social Security
  • Nearly six in 10 Americans oppose making the Social Security program voluntary -- a major increase from 1981
  • Six in 10 Americans say it's more important to avoid cuts in the future Social Security benefits than it is to avoid tax...
  • Majorities oppose proposals to raise the retirement age, reduce benefits, or increase taxes, but support limiting benefits...
  • Majorities oppose raising Social Security payroll taxes, but opposition declines when the question says...
  • When asked to choose, Americans are divided on whether they would prefer raising Social Security taxes or increasing the...
  • Large majorities of Americans say people should have to pay Social Security taxes on income over $90,000
  • The number of Americans who say they've heard "a lot" about the proposal to invest a portion of Social Security taxes in...
  • Half of those who favor the idea of private retirement accounts say they do because individuals will have more control and...
  • Americans who believe investing Social Security contributions in the stock market is a bad idea are less willing to change...
  • When asked to choose, about two-thirds of Americans say it is more important to keep Social Security as is with...
  • Support for allowing individuals to invest some of their Social Security tax contributions in the stock market falls when...
  • Concern about allowing individuals to invest some of their Social Security taxes rises when the question refers to...
  • More than half of Americans say they would personally invest some of their Social Security taxes but interest declines...
  • Half of Americans say they're confident about their investment decisions, but few say the government should...
  • Younger Americans are more likely to say they support letting workers invest some of their Social Security contributions