Two Republican lawmakers have suggested that the age at which people retire should be increased. This statement follows ongoing declarations from GOP members that they will not make any changes to Social Security, after President Joe Biden criticized them in his 2023 State of the Union address for their previous attempts to cut the social program.
Losing Benefits
Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana was quoted in a tweet by The Recount, stating that with people in their 20s now having a life expectancy of 85-90 years, it may no longer be practical to allow them to retire at the age of 62, and therefore, changes to Social Security and Medicare should be considered.
“For people who are in their 20s, their life expectancy will probably be 85 to 90. Does it really make sense to allow someone who's in their 20s today to retire at 62?”
— Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) on why we should talk about changes to Social Security and Medicare pic.twitter.com/F7Rex9lEqu
— The Recount (@therecount) March 12, 2023
One woman expressed disdain for the potential new law, pointing out that it would hurt others but would hardly affect those who put it into place.
Interesting that you can make up laws like this. That hurt others while you're very comfortable in your own home.. And you wonder why people hate the Republican party.
— ResistingTyranny🇺🇸 (@lisamerrell69) March 12, 2023
Another person pointed out that while there do need to be changes, raising the age of retirement isn't necessarily the solution.
First of all, the full retirement age for people in their 20s is 67. If you retire at 62, you only get partial benefits.
And he is right. People live longer so there must be changes. But raising retirement age should be the last resort.
Remove the social security tax cap.
— D3nT0n_G33k (@D3nT0n_G33k) March 12, 2023
Spending Cuts
During a recent CNN interview, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) emphasized the importance of discussing the possibility of raising the retirement age. In a tweet by Aaron Rupar, Mace was quoted as saying, “I think that's something that has to be on the table we have to look at.” She went on to explain that in order to address issues with programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, the government needs to examine both mandatory and discretionary spending in the United States.
Mace argued that a serious approach is required to fix these programs, and that simply avoiding the issue is not an option. Her comments suggest that she believes it is necessary to make tough decisions and consider changes in order to ensure the financial stability of these programs for future generations.
“I think that's something that has to be on the table we have to look at” — Nancy Mace indicates support for raising the retirement age pic.twitter.com/gkZDPfMJxV
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 12, 2023
One person said that they don't feel it's right that the middle class will have to work longer and harder to receive their Social Security benefits while the 1% continues to amass wealth and not pay taxes.
Doesn’t repealing of the 2017 Trump tax breaks have to be “on the table” ?
Making the middle class work longer to get Social Security while the 1% and Big Corp continue to pocket more of the money they make and exponentially increase their wealthy and not pay taxes is wrong!
— Terry Ladson (@LadsonTerry) March 12, 2023
Someone else suggested that the lawmakers are raising the retirement age to the average life expectancy so that “most would die before their first check.”
They really want to raise the retirement age to the average life expectancy. That way, most would die before their first check.
— Sue is Woke🌻🌻🌻 (@SweetSueBlue) March 12, 2023
This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.