State of Kansas Archives: on Social Security

Dave Lindstrom: More options on where to invest for younger generations

A: Promises made should be promises kept. I support ensuring that those who have already paid in for Social Security benefits should be guaranteed their benefits. Any reform should impact younger generations and include more options on where to invest, including Health Savings Accounts. Then hard decisions need to be made on other unnecessary bloated budgetary items to be cut!

Roger Marshall: Look at raising retirement age for future generations

A: I came to Washington because I was worried we would be the first generation to leave this country worse off for our kids. Fixing Social Security is a large part of that worry. It is imperative that we secure the current Social Security benefits for all Americans over the age of 55. Then we must take a look at solutions to secure it for future generations like raising the retirement age.

Barbara Bollier: Committed to protecting Social Security & Medicare

Patrick Wiesner: Raise $180B for Trust Fund by mandated bond interest rates

My plan does not increase payroll tax rates. We won't need to raise the retirement age, reduce benefits, or incur more debt. Senators and House members will have to inform the lobbyists, special interests, and contractors that they will have to get their revenue from the private sector because the Social Security trust funds are short of money.

Randall Batson: Strongly supports privatizing Social Security

A: Strongly Support.

Chad Taylor: No privatization; but we need to discuss reforms

A: We do not support privatizing. Social Security is a commitment we have made; citizens have a right to get back their retirement investment. The federal government has a responsibility to keep this entitlement solvent.

Q: So what methods would you prefer for ensuring solvency? Raise the income cap? Raise the retirement age?

A: We don't have a particular solution in mind. When it came to agriculture policy, Chad went around the state seeking input from stakeholders at roundtable discussions. We would do the same for Social Security. Let's get the stakeholders together and discuss possible solutions; there is no danger in conversation. That conversation has not occurred for Social Security for a couple of decades now.

Randall Batson: Opt in/opt out of payroll deduction choice

Randall Batson: Opt in/opt out of payroll deduction choice

Greg Orman: Lack of economic growth drains Social Security

As a business owner, he also discussed how we have a health care system that we cannot afford. Each year for the past 15 years, health care expenses have risen. These increases often come at the expense of better wages for employees.

Pat Roberts: All options for difficult choices for long term viability

The problem that our country will soon face is the inability to pay promised benefits to future workers. The demographic reality that the baby boomers will soon retire, causing significant financial strain on the program, looms over policymakers. At this point in time, all options must be put on the table for debate. Congress must act thoughtfully and responsibly as we weigh the benefits and the risks of each proposal.

Let me be clear that any Social Security reform proposal considered by Congress must not impact current or near term retirees. That said, we must work to ensure the long term solvency of this important program. Ensuring Social Security's long term viability--for our children and their children--will not come without difficult choices.

Kris Kobach: Allow self-managed private retirement accounts

Kobach supports the following principles regarding Social Security.
• Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves.
• Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts managed by private firms contracted by the government.

Jean Carnahan: Save Social Security & strengthen Medicare