the state's and employer's contributions made under subsection must be at least 14% and no more than 17% of the participant's earned compensation (was fixed at 13%).
Source: Montana legislative voting records: HB 253
Apr 24, 2013
Bob Kelleher:
Outlaw tax cuts until Trust Fund can guarantee coverage
Regarding your retirement, the only way to protect the Social Security and Medicare fund, is to outlaw any further tax cuts until the fund reaches a level guaranteeing coverage for the children of baby boomers. My opponents refuse to do this.
Source: Bob’s Message to Montana Schoolkids (15-min. TV interview)
Oct 1, 2002
Greg Gianforte:
Noah in the Bible was still working at age 600
In a talk at the Montana Bible College about how to find "godly purpose" in work, Gianforte explained why retirement isn't consistent with biblical teachings: "There's nothing in the Bible that talks about retirement. And yet it's been an accepted
concept in our culture today," he said. "Nowhere does it say, 'Well, he was a good and faithful servant, so he went to the beach.' It doesn't say that anywhere."
"The example I think of is Noah," he continued. "How old was Noah when he built the ark? 600. He wasn't like, cashing Social Security checks, he wasn't hanging out, he was working. So, I think we have an obligation to work. The role we have in work
may change over time, but the concept of retirement is not biblical."
[A supporter explained] that Gianforte was speaking "to the idea that we should all be good stewards of the unique gifts and talents we each have been given."
Source: HuffingtonPost.com on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race
Jun 10, 2015
John Edward Walsh:
Consider privatization for new employees entering workforce
Turning the tables on a traditionally Democratic attack line, a new ad from Steve Daines accuses John Walsh of wanting to privatize Social Security. The Daines ad features a 67-year-old woman claiming that "Walsh also believes that privatizing Social
Security should be on the table," a proposal she considers "just too risky." On screen, we see the quote, "Privatize Social Security, Walsh Says."Here's the Q&A from April 17 that Daines refers to:
Reporter: Do you think there would ever be a
circumstance where the privatization of Social Security would make sense?
Walsh: You know, I'd have to take a look at all the options--but not for those that are currently in Social Security right now. I can see, you know, maybe if there may be an
option where they look at it for new employees coming into the workforce--that they may look at that--but it's not something that I'm going to support with those that are currently on the program or currently working in the program.
Source: FactCheck.org AdWatch on 2014 Montana Senate race
Apr 17, 2014
Jon Tester:
Opposes any plan to privatize
Q: Social Security: Consider partial or full privatization options?Matt Rosendale (R):
Yes. Let younger Americans invest privately instead of paying in.
Jon Tester (D): No. Opposes any plan to privatize.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Montana Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Matt Rosendale:
Let younger Americans invest privately instead of paying in
Q: Social Security: Consider partial or full privatization options?Matt Rosendale (R):
Yes. Let younger Americans invest privately instead of paying in.
Jon Tester (D): No. Opposes any plan to privatize.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Montana Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Matt Rosendale:
Protect Social Security & Medicare for Montana seniors
Matt will always fight to preserve and protect Medicare and Social Security benefits for Montana seniors. These benefits were earned and promised to our seniors--and Matt won't let Washington politicians from either party cut or take away any of
these benefits. Matt will always honor our commitment to Montana seniors. Both of Matt's parents received these benefits and he knows countless Montanans who depend on this safety net to make ends meet.
Source: 2020 Montana Senate campaign website MattForMontana.com
May 17, 2020
Michael Lange:
Allow investment in private accounts
Lange supports the following principles regarding Social Security:- Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts that they manage themselves.
- Support proportional increases of
Social Security benefits based on the cost of living index.
- Lange adds, "Pay back the money that Congress took from [the Trust Fund] as fast as we can."
Source: Montana Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Sam Rankin:
Phase in age increase and more realistic CPI
Social Security- No changes for current retirees but would be phased in over 20 years.
- Gradually increase early and full retirement based on life expectancy.
-
Increase taxable maximum wage to cover 90% of wages by 2050.
- Use a more realistic CPI.
- Require all new hires after 2022 (state-local) to be under Social Security.
Source: 2014 Montana Senate campaign website, SamRankin.com
Jul 27, 2014
Steve Bullock:
Vetoed state tax exemption for Social Security income
Bullock vetoed Senate Bill 217, a proposal that would exempt from taxes the first $30,000 in Social Security income for a single person and $60,000 for a couple. He said SB 217 "would have an immediate $3 million negative impact in
Fiscal Year 2019, increasing to more than a $36 million during the 2021-2022 biennium. "A negative impact of this magnitude would jeopardize critical services that Montanans of all ages rely on, including low-income seniors," he wrote.
Source: Great Falls Tribune on 2020 Montana gubernatorial race
Apr 19, 2019
Steve Bullock:
Tax cut would have benefitted high-income seniors
Sponsored by Sen. David Howard, R-Park City, SB 217 would have lowered the tax burden on Montana seniors by letting them exempt a greater share of their Social Security benefits from state income taxes. In his veto memo, Bullock points to the cost of
the tax cut, $36 million over the next two years, and argues the cut would "disproportionately benefit seniors with higher incomes," despite it having been pitched as a way to help retirees living on fixed incomes.
Source: Glendive Ranger Review on Montana voting record SB 217
May 30, 2019
Steve Daines:
AdWatch: Accuses opponent of considering privatization
Turning the tables on a traditionally Democratic attack line, a new ad from Steve Daines accuses John Walsh of wanting to privatize Social Security. The Daines ad features a 67-year-old woman claiming that "Walsh also believes that privatizing Social
Security should be on the table," a proposal she considers "just too risky." On screen, we see the quote, "Privatize Social Security, Walsh Says."Here's the Q&A from April 17 that Daines refers to:
Reporter: Do you think there would ever be a
circumstance where the privatization of Social Security would make sense?
Walsh: You know, I'd have to take a look at all the options--but not for those that are currently in Social Security right now. I can see, you know, maybe if there may be an
option where they look at it for new employees coming into the workforce--that they may look at that--but it's not something that I'm going to support with those that are currently on the program or currently working in the program.
Source: FactCheck.org AdWatch on 2014 Montana Senate race
Jul 11, 2014
Greg Gianforte:
He won't let Washington politicians cut retirement benefits
Greg understands how important Social Security and Medicare are to Montana seniors and will protect and secure these programs. Greg knows what it means to keep your promise and he won't let Washington politicians cut retirement benefits.
Montana seniors earned. Greg will fight hard for Montana seniors and will always protect Social Security and Medicare.
Source: 2024 Montana Gubernatorial website GregForMontana.com
May 9, 2023
Tim Sheehy:
Will fight to preserve benefits seniors have earned
We must keep our commitment to every Montana senior to protect their Social Security and Medicare benefits. Our nation made a promise to our seniors, and
I will fight each and every day to honor that promise and preserve the benefits they've earned.
Source: 2024 Montana Senate campaign website TimForMT.com
Jun 27, 2023
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026