State of Michigan Archives: on Social Security
Brenda Lawrence:
Protect social security, Medicare and Medicaid programs
Q: As more boomers enter retirement, the nation faces critical shortages in eldercare services and rapidly rising levels of poverty among older Americans. What should Congress do about it?Brenda Lawrence: We need to focus our efforts on community
initiatives that will allow our aging population to age in place. Too often, the lack of reliable transportation or minor physical challenges cause are seniors to have to leave their homes. We must find a way to deliver these services safely and
affordably to our seniors so they can stay in their home. We must protect social security, Medicare and Medicaid programs that aid seniors.
Marcia Squier (Green Party): Congress should move to include eldercare services in universal health care, from
cradle to grave, with income-based deductibles for care & prescriptions. In addition, with publicly funded college education and elimination of ALL current student debt, we will be able to provide even more qualified professionals in this critical field.
Source: VotersGuide on 2016 Michigan House race
Nov 1, 2016
Debbie Stabenow:
Led the fight to stop privatization
Q: Would you support taxing amounts above $94K to shore up Social Security?BOUCHARD: She voted to give Social Security to illegal immigrants. We need to fix that situation. There are men and women at home who are worried about having their benefits.
Committing identity theft is fundamentally wrong. I will stop that. That’s what Michigan needs. Less partisan wrangling, less filibusters. We need results.
STABENOW: Social Security is NOT given to illegals, and I didn’t vote for it.
I believe Social Security is a great Amer. success story. He supports privatization of Social Security. I was proud to lead [the fight to] stop privatization. We need to put more funds into that system.
I want to keep the security in Social Security. My opponent sent me a thank you note for funding that he received as a result of my votes.
Source: 2006 Michigan Senate Debate in Grand Rapids, x-ref Bouchard
Oct 15, 2006
Fred Thompson:
Benefits ok in short-term, but we're eating our seed corn
Q: What about long-term solvency of Social Security?A Looking at the short-term economic situation, it's very good news. But if you go out a little bit, you will see that we're not going to have Social Security and Medicare as we know it into the
future. Our children and our grandchildren certainly are not. We are eating our seed corn. We are spending their money. We're pitting one generation against the next. We've got to do some things better than that, even though the choices are difficult.
Source: 2007 Republican debate in Dearborn, Michigan
Oct 9, 2007
Fred Thompson:
Index benefits to inflation instead of indexing to wages
One thing that could be done would be to index benefits to inflation for future retirees. It would not affect current or near-retirement people. But for future retirees, instead of having nothing--which is what they're headed for under the current
unsustainable situation--they would have protection, indexed to inflation instead of wages as it is today. And it would solve the problem for several years. It wouldn't solve it indefinitely, but it would be a major step in the right direction.
Source: 2007 Republican debate in Dearborn, Michigan
Oct 9, 2007
Gary Peters:
One of the most successful programs in our history
More than 1.7 million mothers and fathers, family members and friends across Michigan rely on Medicare--including Gary's own mother. He knows first-hand how crucial the health care Medicare provides is to our seniors.That's why, every time the
Republican House Majority attempted to cut Medicare and end the guaranteed benefit for our seniors, Gary fought back. Gary will not back down and force Michigan seniors to pay thousands more for their health care.
Social Security is one of the most
successful programs in our history and has helped thousands of Michigan seniors stay out of poverty in their retirement and live with dignity. Gary has stood firmly against those who want to end the Social Security guarantee and privatize the program.
Medicare and Social Security are vital to long-term economic security and represent a sacred promise. Gary will fight for Michigan seniors and middle class families to strengthen and secure these vital programs for future generations.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 23, 2014
Gary Peters:
Oppose raising retirement age & privatizing Social Security
Although I support taking bipartisan action to ensure solvency for future generations, we must do so in a way that does not put Social Security benefits in jeopardy. That is why I oppose proposals such as raising the retirement age, privatizing
Social Security or using the chained consumer price index for determining benefit rates. I also support addressing provisions in current law that have led to very little or no cost-of-living adjustments for recipients in recent years.
Source: AARP Survey on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 9, 2020
Gretchen Whitmer:
Get rid of the state's Retirement Tax
After a lifetime of hard work, we must honor the promises made to our seniors so that they can retire in dignity. But right now working families and seniors are paying higher taxes under Governor Snyder. As governor, I will protect our seniors and
retirees by: Getting rid of the Snyder Retirement Tax, which will put more money in the pockets of Michigan seniors to spend on things like gas, groceries, and prescription drugs--which will help our small businesses grow and create jobs.
Supporting options for independence at home, which should be a reality for more seniors who deserve financial and medical peace of mind. I will stand up to attacks on senior care,
and will fight to improve coordinated medical benefits so that seniors can receive the healthcare they need in the comfort of their own homes for as long as they wish.
Source: 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial website GretchenWhitmer.com
Mar 24, 2020
Jennifer Granholm:
Opposed Bush plan to privatize Social Security
[On Bush plan]: "I support keeping Social Security strong," said Governor Granholm. "It is a vital source of income for 47 million Americans, including more than 6 million disabled workers, nearly 5 million widows, and 4 million children.
While we should work together to make some adjustments to ensure the vitality of the program, President Bush's plan to carve out private accounts will dangerously weaken Social Security and create trillions of dollars of new debt for the nation."
Source: Michigan Gubernatorial press releases (2003-2010)
Mar 24, 2005
John James:
Returning lifelong investment to seniors is moral obligation
Protecting Social Security for our seniors today and saving it for our grandchildren tomorrow are moral obligations. Hard working and honest Michiganders of all generations are owed a return on their lifelong investment into the System.
Our debt is a national security threat. We must rein in spending! I would support a balanced budget amendment and will work to cut waste and consolidate or eliminate entire departments in the federal bureaucracy.
Source: Ballotpedia.org on 2018 Michigan Senate race
Aug 25, 2018
John James:
Stop any attempt to underfund the Social Security trust fund
After a lifetime of hard work, we must protect Social Security and Medicare from career politicians who will raid today what they promised yesterday. We must stop any attempt to underfund the Social Security trust fund, and we cannot cut our senior
citizens' benefits. But beyond that, we must strengthen that safety net and make sure the next generation is not getting tangled in the messes left behind by career politicians who are more willing to look out for themselves than look out for us.
Source: AARP Survey on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 9, 2020
Marcia Squier:
Including eldercare services in universal health care
Q: As more boomers enter retirement, the nation faces critical shortages in eldercare services and rapidly rising levels of poverty among older Americans. What should Congress do about it?Marcia Squier:
Our country does face critical shortages in eldercare services. I believe that Congress should move to include these services in universal health care, from cradle to grave, with income-based deductibles for care and prescriptions.
In addition, with publicly funded education from preschool to PhD and elimination of ALL current student debt, we will be able to provide even more qualified professionals in this critical field.
Rep. Brenda Lawrence (Dem.):
We need to focus our efforts on community initiatives that will allow our aging population to age in place. We must protect social security, Medicare and Medicaid programs that aid seniors.
Source: VotersGuide on 2016 Michigan House race
Nov 1, 2016
Marcia Squier:
Strongly opposes privatizing Social Security
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Privatize Social Security"?
A: Strongly oppose
Source: OnTheIssues interview on 2018 Michigan Senate race
Jul 19, 2017
Marcia Squier:
Protect against any legislation dismantles future benefits
Q: How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
A: As Senator, I would vote for all legislation that protects it and against any legislation that seeks to dismantle it.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Mike Bouchard:
Supports privatization of Social Security
Q: Would you support taxing amounts above $94K to shore up Social Security?BOUCHARD: She voted to give Social Security to illegal immigrants. We need to fix that situation. There are men and women at home who are worried about having their benefits.
Committing identity theft is fundamentally wrong. I will stop that. That's what Michigan needs. Less partisan wrangling, less filibusters. We need results.
STABENOW: Social Security is NOT given to illegals, and I didn't vote for it.
I believe Social Security is a great Amer. success story. He supports privatization of Social Security. I was proud to lead [the fight to] stop privatization. We need to put more funds into that system.
I want to keep the security in Social Security. My opponent sent me a thank you note for funding that he received as a result of my votes.
Source: 2006 Michigan Senate Debate in Grand Rapids
Oct 15, 2006
Rick Snyder:
Maintain generous pension benefits for existing retirees
It is important to leave retirement pensions as they are for our citizens age 67 and older. Upon passage of this plan, Michigan will have the 14th best income tax--and the 8th most generous treatment of retirement income--among states with income
taxes.The new Individual Income Tax plan will provide for long-term structural stability in the budget while minimizing the impact on current senior citizens.
Source: Michigan 2011 gubernatorial press release, #254191
Apr 12, 2011
Terri Lynn Land:
Supports GOP platform plank for personal accounts
Terri Lynn Land announced she will continue to serve as National Committeewoman for the National Republican Party while running for Senate. In this role, Land voted for, and will continue to promote, the GOP platform, which called for turning
Medicare into a voucher program and a ban on abortion that did not include exceptions for rape, incest or saving a woman's life. Land's extreme GOP platform also supported privatizing Social Security, banning same sex marriage, opposing any gun
legislation that would limit "the capacity of clips or magazine," banning women from combat, and a study to determine whether to return the US dollar to the gold standard.In September 2005, the New York Times reported
that "While the Democratic platform opposes any privatization of Social Security, the Republican platform says younger workers should be given the option of "personal investment accounts as supplements to the system."
Source: DSCC press release on 2014 Michigan Senate debate
Jun 11, 2013
Tom Tancredo:
Private Social Security accounts needed to end deficit
If you want to control federal spending, you must look at Social Security and Medicare, and it's a dicey game. I know the president tried, touching that 3rd rail, [but] jumped back immediately.But the reality is this: If you don't do it, forget about
reducing federal spending. It's not going to happen. You better address Social Security. You better come up with a way to allow for private Social Security accounts, structurally fix both of those things, or forget the idea of ending deficit spending.
Source: 2007 Republican debate in Dearborn, Michigan
Oct 9, 2007
Leslie Love:
Stop Republicans from slashing Social Security & Medicare
Love, a former representative of Detroit who served from 2015-2020, said that her mother has served as an inspiration for entering the race. "My mother's dignity is important. Michigan families and healthcare workers deserve that same respect and
support," she said. "We'll keep MAGA Republicans from slashing Social Security and Medicare, and we will work to make a system that respects being able to afford to grow old."
Source: Lansing State Journal on 2024 Michigan Senate race
May 15, 2023
James Craig:
Eliminate taxation of Social Security benefits
Social security is the largest government program and by itself makes up almost a quarter of all government spending. To qualify, claimants pay social security taxes on their earnings for their entire lives. On top of the tax that's assessed for
qualification for social security benefits, the social security benefits that one who's eligible receives are also taxed. This is among the most egregious instances of double taxation in the tax code and should be eliminated lock, stock and barrel.
Source: 2024 Michigan Senate campaign website ChiefJamesCraig.com
Oct 10, 2023
Elissa Slotkin:
Republicans are desperate to privatize entitlements
Social Security: Cut Social Security and raise the retirement age?- Mike Rogers (R): Potentially. Looking for fixes to Social Security, "every option is going to have to be on the table." Would have a bipartisan
commission consider options.
- Elissa Slotkin (D): No. Republican lawmakers "say that they love Social Security"—then vote against it. "These guys are desperate to privatize Medicare" and have voted to do so "a million times."
Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Michigan Senate race
Oct 9, 2024
Mike Rogers:
Fix system with every option on the table
Social Security: Cut Social Security and raise the retirement age?- Mike Rogers (R): Potentially. Looking for fixes to Social Security, "every option is going to have to be on the table." Would have a bipartisan
commission consider options.
- Elissa Slotkin (D): No. Republican lawmakers "say that they love Social Security"—then vote against it. "These guys are desperate to privatize Medicare" and have voted to do so "a million times."
Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Michigan Senate race
Oct 9, 2024
Mallory McMorrow:
Worked on repealing the state's seniors retirement tax
[Campaign announcement]: "We can point to things like expanded childcare. That we are on the path to universal pre-K, universal school meals, which I hear all the time from parents, more than the cost savings is the amount of time that it saves
them to get ready and get their kids ready and out the door. Repealing the seniors retirement tax. We just have so much that we can show that we've done in Michigan and I want to take that into the U.S. Senate," McMorrow said.
Source: Michigan Advance on 2026 Michigan Senate race
Apr 2, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026