State of Virginia Archives: on Social Security
Mark Warner:
Opposes privatizing social security
Democratic Sen. Mark Warner and Republican challenger Ed Gillespie hammered each other over ethics and taxes in their third and final scheduled debate, an event that featured some of the candidates' feistiest exchanges so far.
As he's done throughout the campaign, Gillespie repeatedly accused Warner of being a rubber stamp for President Barack Obama's administration and criticized Warner's vote in support of the Affordable Care Act, which
Gillespie said is hurting Virginia's economy. "I will not be a blank check for the president; I will be a check and balance on the president," Gillespie said.
Warner called Gillespie "the major cheerleader" for former
President George W. Bush's unsuccessful bid to privatize social security, a move he said would be disastrous for Virginia's seniors.
Source: News-Tribune on 2014 Virginia Senate debate
Oct 13, 2014
Don Beyer:
I oppose any effort to privatize Social Security
Social Security and Medicare are important commitments we've made to senior citizens, and we must keep both programs strong. Over the last few years, many Tea Party Republicans have attacked both Social Security and Medicare,
and we must stand firm in opposition to these attacks.I oppose any effort to privatize Social Security. Privatization schemes would link Social Security to the stock market, and that means monthly benefits could go up or down with the market.
Source: 2014 Virginia House campaign website, FriendsOfDonBeyer.com
Oct 10, 2014
George Allen:
Raise retirement age, plus options for younger people
On Social Security, Allen suggested a gradual age adjustment for people younger than 50, meaning a longer wait before being able to receive benefits. Allen also wants an income level component, which would limit how much wealthier people receive.
Kaine asked Allen if he would finally agree that privatizing Social Security was a bad idea.
Allen stated that in addition to his age and income adjustment proposals, he would be looking for new options for people to provide for themselves in their retirement years.
Kaine countered that he believes Allen still agrees with supporting the privatization of Social Security. Kaine said he would fight against that proposal.
Source: WSLS-TV-10 on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Oct 18, 2012
Tim Kaine:
Fight against any privatization proposals
On Social Security, Allen suggested a gradual age adjustment for people younger than 50, meaning a longer wait before being able to receive benefits. Allen also wants an income level component, which would limit how much wealthier people receive.
Kaine asked Allen if he would finally agree that privatizing Social Security was a bad idea.
Allen stated that in addition to his age and income adjustment proposals, he would be looking for new options for people to provide for themselves in their retirement years.
Kaine countered that he believes Allen still agrees with supporting the privatization of Social Security. Kaine said he would fight against that proposal.
Source: WSLS-TV-10 on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Oct 18, 2012
George Allen:
Raise retirement age & end benefits to wealthy
On Social Security, Allen said he favors raising the retirement age and eliminating Social Security benefits for "people making a million dollars."
Kaine said he wants to lift the payroll tax cap--which would force wealthier people to pay more into the system.
Source: Washington Post coverage of 2012 Virginia Senate Debates
Jun 28, 2012
Tim Kaine:
Lift the payroll tax cap
On Social Security, Allen said he favors raising the retirement age and eliminating Social Security benefits for "people making a million dollars."
Kaine said he wants to lift the payroll tax cap--which would force wealthier people to pay more into the system.
Source: Washington Post coverage of 2012 Virginia Senate Debates
Jun 28, 2012
George Allen:
Raise retirement age; more retirement security options
All four GOP candidates said Social Security should be preserved, but outlined different approaches to keeping the trust fund solvent. Allen said he would oppose tax increases, but consider other options, such as increasing the retirement age
for future recipients born after the 1960s. He also said he supports "allowing individuals to have additional options for their retirement security."Marshall and Radtke said they could support a gradual increase in the retirement age.
Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Apr 29, 2012
Jamie Radtke:
Raise retirement age; private retirement security options
All four GOP candidates said Social Security should be preserved, but outlined different approaches to keeping the trust fund solvent. Allen said he would oppose tax increases, but consider other options, such as increasing the retirement age for
future recipients born after the 1960s.Marshall and Radtke said they could support a gradual increase in the retirement age, and Radtke said individuals should have private alternatives to Social Security.
Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Apr 29, 2012
Tim Kaine:
No dangerous privatization schemes for Social Security
All four GOP candidates said Social Security should be preserved, but outlined different approaches to keeping the trust fund solvent. Allen said he would oppose tax increases, but consider other options, such as increasing the retirement age for
future recipients born after the 1960s. Radtke said individuals should have private alternatives to Social Security.Kaine's campaign said the debate underscored clear differences between the Democrat and Republican hopefuls.
A Kaine spokeswoman said, ""The approach the Republican candidates advocate would devastate federal investments in education, defense, and infrastructure that bolster and grow Virginia's economy.
Their calls for dangerous privatization schemes for Social Security and Medicare would jeopardize a generations-long guarantee of retirement security.
Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Apr 29, 2012
Bob McDonnell:
5% additional retirement contribution from state employees
These are the challenges we face: - Over 280,000 Virginians are unemployed. That is unacceptable.
- College tuition has doubled for Virginia students over the past decade. That is unconscionable.
- Almost a quarter of Virginia's major urban roads
are congested; parents are too often stuck in traffic when they should be spending precious time with their children. That is unreasonable.
- Our state government stands in need of further significant reform and a renewed focus on its core functions.
That is undeniable.
- Our state retirement system has an unfunded liability of approximately $17.6 billion and Medicaid spending has grown 1600% over the past 27 years. That is unsustainable.
The Virginia Retirement
System currently faces an unfunded liability of $17.6 billion. I propose that the 5% retirement contribution that we will ask all employees to pay be offset by a 3% raise for our state employees, the first in years.
Source: 2011 Virginia State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2011
Tom Perriello:
Our promise lets seniors retire with security and dignity
Social Security is a promise to American seniors--and those still working--that if they play by the rules and contribute to the system, they can retire with security and dignity.
I am proud to have worked hard to extend the solvency of these programs and to block efforts to cut or privatize these sacred and successful programs for our seniors.
We must continue to place Social Security and Medicare on stable footing for the long term so we fulfill our obligations to current and future recipients.
This means rejecting risky schemes like privatization and an end to the games that both parties have played with these programs' trust funds.
Source: OpEd in Augusta Free Press for 2017 Virginia governor race
Aug 16, 2010
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021