Topics At A Glance: Social Security

Is The Social Security System In A Financial Crisis?

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Which of these statements do you think best describes the Social Security system--it is in a state of crisis, it has major problems, it has minor problems, or it does not have any problems?

CNN/ORC International Poll, [Sep, 2011]

(Now I would like to read you several pairs of statements that might be made by policymakers and have you tell me, for each pair, which one you agree with more.)...Congressman A says Social Security will not face budget problems until 2037, so we need to focus our attention on our immediate budget problems and leave Social Security alone. Take Social Security off the table. Congressman B says Social Security is in real trouble because of so many retiring baby boomers. We can save Social Security with minor benefit adjustments for people age 55 and under, and we should dot that now rather than wait until the program faces a crisis....(If Statement A/B, ask:) Do you strongly agree with that statement or somewhat agree with that statement?

Sample: National registered voters
Resurgent Republic Survey, [Aug, 2011]

How long do you think it will be until the costs of the Medicare and Social Security programs create a crisis for the federal government--are they already creating a crisis, will they create a crisis within the next 10 years, within 10 to 20 years, in more than 20 years, or not for the foreseeable future?

Gallup Poll, [Apr, 2011]

Social Security Solvency

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Now I have some more questions about your retirement confidence. How confident are you that the Social Security system will continue to provide benefits of at least equal value to the benefits received by retirees today? Would you say that you are very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not at all confident?

Retirement Confidence Survey, [Jan, 2012]

Do you think the Social Security system will have the money available to provide the benefits you expect for your retirement?

New York Times Poll, [Dec, 2011]

Do you think the Social Security system will have the money available to provide the benefits you expect for your retirement?

CBS News/New York Times Poll, [Sep, 2011]

Social Security As A Major Source of Retirement Income

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When you retire, how much do you expect to rely on each of the following sources of money--will it be a major source of income, a minor source of income, or not a source at all? How about...Social Security?

Note: Asked of those not retired
Gallup Poll, [Apr, 2012]

(Now I'd like to talk about your (If Non-retired ask:) expectations for/(If Retired, ask:) experiences in retirement. I am going to read you several possible sources of income in retirement and I'd like you to tell me whether you expect it to be/it is a major source of income, a minor source of income, or not a source of income in your, and your spouse's, retirement.) Do you expect/Is...Social Security to be a major source, a minor source, or not a source of income in retirement?

Retirement Confidence Survey, [Jan, 2012]

Which of the following (If Retired, ask:) is/(If Not retired, ask:) do you expect to be a major source of income for you in retirement?...Social Security, monthly pension, personal savings, 401(k), IRA (Individual Retirement Account), earnings from part-time work, spousal income, proceeds from the sale of a home, support from your children, SEP (Simplified Employee Pension) plan, reverse mortgage

%
65		Social Security
44		Monthly pension
40		Personal savings
28		401(k)
23		IRA
22		Earnings from part-time work
17		Spousal income
13		Proceeds from the sale of a home
5		Support from your children
4		SEP plan
3		Reverse mortgage
4		Don't know/Refused

Note: Asked of those age 50 and over
Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll, [Nov, 2011]

Privatizing Social Security

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As you may know, a proposal has been made that would allow workers to invest part of their Social Security taxes in the stock market or in bonds, while the rest of those taxes would remain in the Social Security system. Do you favor or oppose this proposal?

CNN/ORC International Poll, [Sep, 2011]

To address financial concerns about the Social Security program would you favor or oppose...changing the program so younger workers can invest their Social Security taxes in private retirement accounts?

Note: Asked of Form 1 half sample
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Generations Survey, [Sep, 2011]

As you may know, there is a current proposal that would allow younger workers to invest a portion of their Social Security taxes in retirement accounts of their choice, which might include stocks, bonds or mutual funds and provide either a lower or higher benefit than Social Security does now. Generally, do you favor or oppose this proposal?

Pew Research Center/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll, [Sep, 2010]

Social Security Taxes

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(I am going to mention some changes that could be made to decrease the deficit. For each, please tell me if you favor or oppose the change.)...Raise the amount of salary subject to Social Security tax beyond the current limit of about $107,000

Bloomberg Poll, [Sep, 2011]

Which of the following would you favor as a way to address economic problems created by major entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare--cutting back on benefits the government provides future retirees and not increasing taxes, increasing taxes and not cutting back on benefits the government provides future retirees, or a combination of both benefit cuts and tax increases?

Note: Those who think entitlement programs including Social Security and Medicare will create economic problems for the US in the next 25 years if no changes are made to them (75%)
Gallup/USA Today Poll, [Nov, 2010]

(As you know, some members of a federal panel have proposed cutting some federal programs and changing the tax laws in order to reduce the budget deficit. Please tell me whether you favor or oppose each of the following proposals.)...Increasing the age in which people are eligible to receive their full Social Security benefits

Note: Asked of Form B half sample
CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll, [Nov, 2010]

Raising the Retirement Age

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(Now let me read you some statements that some people have made about name of House incumbent. After I read each statement, please tell me whether this raises very serious doubts, serious doubts, minor doubts, or no real doubts in your own mind about name of House incumbent.)...Name of House incumbent voted to privatize Social Security, raise the retirement age and reduce guaranteed health care benefits for seniors.

Sample: National likely voters in 60 most competitive Republican battleground districts
Note: Asked of Form C half sample
Democracy Corps/Women's Voices.Women Vote Poll, [Dec, 2011]

There has been a lot of talk lately about the costs of the Social Security and Medicare programs for the elderly and keeping them solvent for future generations. Here are some changes that have been suggested to the Social Security system to help cut costs in the future. For each one, tell me if you would favor or oppose. Would you favor or oppose...raising the retirement age for full benefits from 67 to 70 for people born on or after 1966?

Time/Abt SRBI Poll, [Oct, 2011]

(There has been a lot of talk lately about the costs of the Social Security and Medicare programs for the elderly and keeping them solvent for future generations. Here are some changes that have been suggested to the Social Security system to help cut costs in the future. For each one, tell me if you would favor or oppose.) Would you favor or oppose...some combination of all these proposals (raising the retirement age for full benefits from 67 to 70 for people born on or after 1966, giving upper income people a reduced retirement benefit, with lower income people getting the full retirement benefit, sometimes called 'means testing,' increasing Social Security payroll withholdings beyond the current $106,000 of income)?

Time/Abt SRBI Poll, [Oct, 2011]

From the Archives

(Do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?) I am confident Social Security benefits will be available to me when I need them.

Note: Asked of non-retired respondents (74%)
Wirthlin Report, [Jan, 1995]

Do you favor or oppose giving individuals the choice to invest a portion of their Social Security contributions in stocks and mutual funds?

Sample: National registered voters
FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll, [Mar, 2005]

In order to balance the federal budget in seven years, would you favor or oppose cutting the growth of spending on Social Security?

ABC News/Washington Post Poll, [Jan, 1996]