State of Massachusetts Archives: on Social Security


Ayanna Pressley: Social Security is crucial and must not be cut

Republicans in Congress continue to look for new ways to undermine Social Security and Medicare, but we must be steadfast in our promise to older Americans who have paid into these essential programs their entire lives. Ayanna doesn't just oppose cutting Social Security and Medicare, she emphatically supports expanding these critical programs, because retirement security is more than a senior issue, it's a family concern.
Source: 2018 MA 7th House campaign website AyannaPressley.com Jul 4, 2018

Don Berwick: Oppose any efforts to privatize, including chained CPI

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Privatize Social Security"?

A: "I oppose any efforts to privatize or scale back Social Security, including chained CPI."

Source: Email interview for 2014 MA Governor's race with OnTheIssues Feb 7, 2014

Joe L. Kennedy: Ready to cut Social Security & other entitlements

"We have to cut spending," Kennedy said during a recent Senate debate at UMass Boston with Democrat Martha Coakley and Republican Scott Brown. "Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security--you're ready to cut them?" moderator David Gergen asked. "Yes, I am ready to take on the entitlement programs," Kennedy said. "I've said it before, I'll do it again."
Source: WBUR article on 2010 MA Senate debate Jan 15, 2010

Alan Khazei: Individual retirement accounts ok; but not from Trust Fund

Q: Will you support a balanced Social Security plan? A: We have a moral responsibility to meet the obligations set forth in this eight-decade-old program. I oppose diverting Social Security taxes from the Trust Fund to fund private individual retirement accounts. I support individual retirement accounts in addition to current guaranteed Social Security benefits. There are valid concerns about the long-term feasibility of Social Security, but there are key steps we can take to strengthen it. I believe that higher-income workers should make additional contributions and that we should make modest adjustments in future benefits.
Source: 2009 AARP Voter Guide: MA Senate Dec 1, 2009

Jack Robinson: No diversion of payroll tax to individual retirement account

Q: Will you support or oppose a balanced Social Security plan to continue the program?s guaranteed benefits for future generations? Will you support or oppose diverting Social Security payroll taxes to fund private individual retirement accounts?A: The candidate chose not to make additional comments.
Source: 2009 AARP Voter Guide: MA Senate Dec 1, 2009

Martha Coakley: Safety net of Social Security is more important than ever

Q: Will you support a balanced Social Security plan? A: I understand that during this financial crisis, when countless numbers of our family members, neighbors, colleagues, and friends have seen their retirement savings disappear, the safety net of Social Security is more important than ever. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that next year, for the first time since 1975, beneficiaries will not get a cost of living adjustment. I support emergency measures to ensure that beneficiaries receive a cost of living increase, ensuring that social security's promises are kept. As Senator, I will fight to keep the promise of Social Security and preserve it for future generations. I am committed to ensuring that benefits are not reduced, and that those paying into the system now will be guaranteed their benefits later.
Source: 2009 AARP Voter Guide: MA Senate Dec 1, 2009

Michael Capuano: Resist any attempt to privatize Social Security

Q: Will you support a balanced Social Security plan? A: I will resist any attempt to privatize Social Security, our most important social legislation. It took the anxiety out of aging in the Great Depression and must be preserved for future generations. That said, average life expectancy in 1935 was about 60 years while today is approaches 80. This change may require fair and thoughtful adjustments in benefits. It may require, too, larger contributions from higher income workers. I will fight any attempt to privatize Social Security, including any attempt to divert payroll taxes to subsidizing individual retirement. Further, private employers must honor commitments to retirees. Pensions earned by years of steadfast work, and often secured in collective bargaining, must continue to supplement Social Security.
Source: 2009 AARP Voter Guide: MA Senate Dec 1, 2009

Stephen Pagliuca: Never allow diverting into individual retirement accounts

Q: Will you support a balanced Social Security plan? A: Social Security has been one of America's most successful social programs, despite the repeated attempts by Republicans since its inception to weaken it. Social Security makes us all proud: its administrative costs are low, it's progressive, and its benefits are especially helpful for women and minorities who have faced historic discrimination in pay and pensions. While Social Security was never intended to be the sole source for workers' retirements, we should never allow money to be diverted from Social Security into individual retirement accounts. The surplus in Social Security will not be exhausted until 2041. By making small adjustments now, we can keep Social Security in surplus far beyond 2041.
Source: 2009 AARP Voter Guide: MA Senate Dec 1, 2009

  • The above quotations are from Commonwealth of Massachusetts Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Social Security.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2020 Presidential contenders on Social Security:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021