2012 Virginia Senate Debates: on Social Security


George Allen: Raise retirement age, plus options for younger people

On Social Security, Allen suggested a gradual age adjustment for people younger than 50, meaning a longer wait before being able to receive benefits. Allen also wants an income level component, which would limit how much wealthier people receive.

Kaine asked Allen if he would finally agree that privatizing Social Security was a bad idea. Allen stated that in addition to his age and income adjustment proposals, he would be looking for new options for people to provide for themselves in their retirement years. Kaine countered that he believes Allen still agrees with supporting the privatization of Social Security. Kaine said he would fight against that proposal.

Source: WSLS-TV-10 on 2012 Virginia Senate debate Oct 18, 2012

Tim Kaine: Fight against any privatization proposals

On Social Security, Allen suggested a gradual age adjustment for people younger than 50, meaning a longer wait before being able to receive benefits. Allen also wants an income level component, which would limit how much wealthier people receive.

Kaine asked Allen if he would finally agree that privatizing Social Security was a bad idea. Allen stated that in addition to his age and income adjustment proposals, he would be looking for new options for people to provide for themselves in their retirement years. Kaine countered that he believes Allen still agrees with supporting the privatization of Social Security. Kaine said he would fight against that proposal.

Source: WSLS-TV-10 on 2012 Virginia Senate debate Oct 18, 2012

George Allen: Raise retirement age & end benefits to wealthy

On Social Security, Allen said he favors raising the retirement age and eliminating Social Security benefits for "people making a million dollars." Kaine said he wants to lift the payroll tax cap--which would force wealthier people to pay more into the system.
Source: Washington Post coverage of 2012 Virginia Senate Debates Jun 28, 2012

Tim Kaine: Lift the payroll tax cap

On Social Security, Allen said he favors raising the retirement age and eliminating Social Security benefits for "people making a million dollars." Kaine said he wants to lift the payroll tax cap--which would force wealthier people to pay more into the system.
Source: Washington Post coverage of 2012 Virginia Senate Debates Jun 28, 2012

George Allen: Raise retirement age; more retirement security options

All four GOP candidates said Social Security should be preserved, but outlined different approaches to keeping the trust fund solvent. Allen said he would oppose tax increases, but consider other options, such as increasing the retirement age for future recipients born after the 1960s. He also said he supports "allowing individuals to have additional options for their retirement security."

Marshall and Radtke said they could support a gradual increase in the retirement age.

Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate Apr 29, 2012

Jamie Radtke: Raise retirement age; private retirement security options

All four GOP candidates said Social Security should be preserved, but outlined different approaches to keeping the trust fund solvent. Allen said he would oppose tax increases, but consider other options, such as increasing the retirement age for future recipients born after the 1960s.

Marshall and Radtke said they could support a gradual increase in the retirement age, and Radtke said individuals should have private alternatives to Social Security.

Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate Apr 29, 2012

Tim Kaine: No dangerous privatization schemes for Social Security

All four GOP candidates said Social Security should be preserved, but outlined different approaches to keeping the trust fund solvent. Allen said he would oppose tax increases, but consider other options, such as increasing the retirement age for future recipients born after the 1960s. Radtke said individuals should have private alternatives to Social Security.

Kaine's campaign said the debate underscored clear differences between the Democrat and Republican hopefuls. A Kaine spokeswoman said, ""The approach the Republican candidates advocate would devastate federal investments in education, defense, and infrastructure that bolster and grow Virginia's economy. Their calls for dangerous privatization schemes for Social Security and Medicare would jeopardize a generations-long guarantee of retirement security.

Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate Apr 29, 2012

  • The above quotations are from 2012 Virginia Senate Debate.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Social Security.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Tim Kaine on Social Security.
  • Click here for more quotes by George Allen on Social Security.
Candidates and political leaders on Social Security:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 05, 2018