Pollsters predict a Republican sweep of the U.S. Senate in the upcoming election, leaving older adults wondering how the partisan leadership change could affect their Social Security benefits.
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Historically, Republicans have advocated reducing federal spending, including on programs like Social Security and Medicare. However, Social Security is too costly to sustain and too popular with voters to end completely.
“Both parties have spent decades scared to challenge the politics of addressing Social Security’s deteriorating financial state,” said Dustin Siggins, a political analyst and co-founder of Proven Media Solutions, a PR firm. “That is unlikely to change no matter who leads the Senate.”
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Nevertheless, if the pollsters are right, the Senate may turn Republican. Here are three ways this could impact your Social Security benefits.
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Millions of older Americans could see a 21% reduction in their Social Security benefits in 2034 if federal lawmakers don’t act quickly. However, Congressional lawmakers are at odds about what to do, according to The Hill.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), a leading contender to lead the Senate if Republicans win it, proposed in 2022 a plan to end all federal government programs, including Social Security and Medicaid, every five years unless Congress reauthorizes them, reports CNN.
However, Senate Republican leaders rejected Scott’s proposal, according to NBC, and another plan introduced by conservative House Republicans that would increase the retirement age and decrease benefit levels. Scott even modified his plan to exclude Social Security and Medicare in response to criticism, Rescue America shared.
“The truth is, they are not wrong in calling out the need for changes to these programs to address the looming solvency crisis,” said Chris Orestis, the president of The Retirement Genius.
Orestis explained, “The most likely scenario to address the pending solvency problems for Social Security is a combination of raising taxes, increasing qualifying retirement ages, and reducing, if not eliminating, benefits for people of high incomes/net worth.”
Republicans are adamant that they wouldn’t immediately raise the full retirement age if they win control of the Senate.
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