State of Utah Archives: on Social Security


Allen Glines: Ensure solvency of Social Security & Medicare

Source: 2021 Utah Senate campaign website AllenGlines.com Jul 21, 2021

Austin Searle: Maximize benefits, lower retirement age to 52

Maximizing our Social Security benefits and maintaining our current income will be my main priority. Maximizing this will allow us to increase our Social Security benefits each year while maintaining our other earnings, which will not decrease our current SS benefits. The retirement age is currently set to at least 62, but many of us plan to retire by the time we reach our 50's. I believe in decreasing the period of retirement benefits to the age of 52.
Source: 2021-2022 Utah Senate race website AustinForSenate.com Jun 27, 2021

Craig Bowden: Voluntary phase out for younger generations

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Privatize Social Security"?

A: I believe in a voluntary phase out for younger generations.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Utah Senate candidate Feb 28, 2018

Evan McMullin: Favors cuts, means testing, raising retirement age

McMullin favors cuts to Social Security and wants to lower your payments through means testing and raise the retirement age to qualify for payments. He's not big on Medicare and Medicaid, because, as with Social Security, he's against "entitlements." Unbelievably, he also holds the same position as extreme Republicans when it comes to our nation's health care. Like Lee and Mitch McConnell, McMullin wants to repeal Obamacare, legislation that has saved many lives.
Source: The Salt Lake Tribune on 2022 Utah Senate race Jan 13, 2022

Jonathan Swinton: Reduce Social Security taxes on entrepreneurs

Some ideas I plan to address when I reach the Senate:
Source: 2016 Utah Senate campaign website, VoteSwinton.com Oct 9, 2015

Mike Lee: Raise the retirement age to save Social Security

Granato and Lee disagreed about how to handle illegal immigration, gays in the military, radioactive waste disposal in Utah and how to save Social Security.

On Social Security, Lee said Americans must raise the retirement age to save it. Granato said Social Security must be protected, but without that step.

Source: Salt Lake Tribune coverage of 2010 Utah Senate debate Sep 17, 2010

Misty Snow: Remove cap on Social Security withholdings

Social Security provides a very necessary and important safety net for our elderly and disabled citizens, and I want to ensure that this safety net remains strong for a long time to come.

Our Social Security fund currently has enough money to pay full benefits for at least the next 20 years. To extend this safety net far into the future, I support removing the cap on Social Security withholdings which is currently set at $118,500. We should not be giving tax breaks to the very wealthy even though they are the ones that are most able to afford it. Everyone should be required to pay the same rate for Social Security withholding. This will protect Social Security benefits for citizens for many years to come.

Source: 2016 Utah Senate campaign website MistyKSnow.com Aug 8, 2016

Mitt Romney: Bipartisan effort with Mitt Romney to shore up entitlements

Two Utah politicians, Sen. Mitt Romney and Rep. Ben McAdams, are part of a bipartisan effort to keep Social Security and Medicare from running out of money. McAdams said millions of people depend on the benefits they've earned through a lifetime of hard work. "We owe it to them and to future generations to carefully consider the options that will protect and strengthen these vital programs. Republicans and Democrats must keep the promises we've made about aging with dignity in our country," he said.

"It's irresponsible for Congress to keep ignoring a preventable crisis," Romney said. "We must put in place a responsible process now to prevent dramatic cuts to programs like Social Security and Medicare or be forced to enact massive tax hikes down the road, both of which would be devastating to middle class Americans."

Source: KSL Salt Lake City on 2018 Utah Senate race Oct 30, 2019

Orrin Hatch: Preserve Social Security fund in "Lockbox" until needed

Among my biggest priorities is ensuring the solvency of Social Security. We need more than the bandaid approach that President Clinton has offered. We need sound reform to keep this program on a secure financial footing; and that is just what we had in mind recently when we passed the Social Security "Lockbox." This measure sequesters all FICA funds not currently needed and preserves them intact until such time as they are necessary.
Source: Speech to the 12th Annual Utah Seniors Conference May 10, 1999

Sam Granato: Keep the retirement age but protect Social Security

Granato and Lee disagreed about how to handle illegal immigration, gays in the military, radioactive waste disposal in Utah and how to save Social Security.

On Social Security, Lee said Americans must raise the retirement age to save it. Granato said Social Security must be protected, but without that step.

Source: Salt Lake Tribune coverage of 2010 Utah Senate debate Sep 17, 2010

Spencer Cox: Reduced state tax on Social Security income

One major bill enacts a modest income tax cut, a Social Security income tax cut, expands the Earned Income Tax Credit and adds an unborn child exemption. For the average Utah family making roughly $80,000 a year? The income tax cut equates to roughly $200 a year back. While that may not sound like a lot, the governor told reporters that "every dollar makes a difference and I think you have to look at all of these tax cuts together."
Source: FOX 13 Salt Lake City on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race Jul 19, 2023

Brian King: Easier judicial review of Retirement Board decisions

UT HB0482, "Utah Retirement Systems Appeals Amendments," Bill Summary(Sponsored by Brian King):

This bill amends the options for obtaining judicial review of a decision by the Utah State Retirement Board.

AI Summary This bill amends the options for obtaining judicial review of a decision by the Utah State Retirement Board. It provides that, in addition to the jurisdiction granted in the Utah Administrative Procedures Act, the district court shall have jurisdiction to review, by trial de novo, a decision issued by the board resulting from formal adjudicative proceedings. The bill outlines the procedures for such judicial review, including the district court's ability to receive additional evidence from the parties and the application of the Utah Rules of Evidence. The bill also makes a conforming amendment to the existing law governing judicial review of agency actions, excluding the new judicial review process created in this bill.

Source: BillTrack50 on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race Jun 6, 2024

Caroline Gleich: Close billionaire, corporate loopholes to keep benefits

What would Gleich change to make sure that Social Security remains solvent, and people can depend on that money?

"Closing some of these billionaire and corporate loopholes, we can really bring in more for our federal budget and make sure that we keep Social Security benefits."

Source: KUTV on 2024 Utah Senate race Sep 16, 2024

John Curtis: Make sure its sustainable for future generations

These important programs have a real and direct impact on many lives. I've known many individuals, including my own parents, who relied upon Social Security for the last 20 years of their lives. As my parents grew older, I witnessed first-hand their reliance on Medicare and the critical role that it played in their care. As your Congressman, I am committed to keeping these programs strong and available for those who need it now and making sure that they are sustainable for future generations.
Source: 2024 Utah Senate campaign website curtis.house.gov Oct 9, 2024

  • The above quotations are from State of Utah Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Social Security.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2024 Presidential contenders on Social Security:
  Candidates for President & Vice-President:
V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA)
Chase Oliver(L-GA)
Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA)
Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL)
Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH)
Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN)
Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)

2024 presidential primary contenders:
Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE)
N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R)
N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R)
Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R)
S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R)
Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R)
Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN)
Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH)
S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026