Alexi Giannoulias on Social Security

Increase taxable wage base instead of raising retirement age

Q: On social security, would you look at upping the retirement age?

GIANNOULIAS: We're going to have to take a look at what the deficit commission says and look at their ideas. I'm personally not in favor of increasing the age limit. I do think we need to look at different options on the revenue side, maybe increasing the taxable wage base, finding ways to get more revenue, but I'm all for strengthening social security, not diminishing it.

Source: NBC's Meet the Press: 2010 IL Senate debate Oct 10, 2010

No greater safety net for seniors than social security

There is no greater safety net for seniors than social security. First and foremost, we must get our budget under control and stop financing our yearly discretionary spending with borrowed funds from the Trust Fund. Because Social Security is currently slated to pay full benefits until approximately 2037, we should consider gradual fixes like increasing the taxable wage base and providing less replacement income for those making over a certain amount. Source: IVIIPO 2010 Congressional Questionnaire Aug 11, 2010

Gradual fixes: raising the cap; phase-down benefits for rich

I am deeply committed to the long-term strength of Medicare & Social Security, but the future success of these programs will require that we make tough decisions. No government program has been as successful at protecting our society's most vulnerable as Social Security. It is vital to America's seniors that we strengthen and stabilize this program. First and foremost, we must get our budget under control and stop financing our yearly discretionary spending with borrowed funds from the Trust Fund. Because Social Security is currently slated to pay full benefits until approximately 2037, we should consider gradual fixes that involve increasing the taxable wage base, raising the cap on taxable income, and providing less replacement income by the government--perhaps with a phase-down of social security benefits for those retiring with $5 million in assets. Source: Chicago Tribune election coverage Feb 2, 2010

Click here for definitions & background information on Social Security. Click here for a profile of Alexi Giannoulias. Click here for SenateMatch answers by Alexi Giannoulias. Agree? Disagree? Voice your opinions on Social Security in The Forum. Click here for a summary of Alexi Giannoulias's positions on all issues. Click here for issue positions of other IL politicians.
*Other candidates on Social Security:*		*Alexi Giannoulias on other issues:*
*IL Gubernatorial:* Pat Quinn *IL Senatorial:* Mark Kirk Richard Durbin *Retiring as of Jan. 2011:* CT:Dodd(D) DE:Kaufman(D) FL:Martinez(R) FL:LeMieux(R) IL:Burris(D) IN:Bayh(D) KS:Brownback(R) KY:Bunning(R) MO:Bond(R) ND:Dorgan(D) NH:Gregg(R) OH:Voinovich(R) PA:Specter(R) UT:Bennett(R) WV:Goodwin(D) *Unseated as of Jan. 2011:* AR:Lincoln(D) UT:Bennett(R) WI:Feingold(D)	*Newly elected, Nov. 2010:* AR:Boozman(R) CT:Blumenthal(D) CO:Bennet(D) DE:Coons(D) FL:Rubio(R) IL:Kirk(R) IN:Coats(R) KS:Moran(R) KY:Paul(R) MO:Blunt(R) ND:Hoeven(R) NH:Ayotte(R) NY2:Gillibrand(D) OH:Portman(R) PA:Toomey(R) UT:Lee(R) WI:Johnson(R) WV:Manchin(D)	*Re-elected, Nov. 2010:* AK:Murkowski(I) AL:Shelby(R) AZ:McCain(R) CA:Boxer(D) GA:Isakson(R) HI:Inouye(D) IA:Grassley(R) ID:Crapo(R) LA:Vitter(R) MD:Mikulski(D) NC:Burr(R) NV:Reid(D) NY6:Schumer(D) OK:Coburn(R) OR:Wyden(D) SC:DeMint(R) SD:Thune(R) VT:Leahy(D) WA:Murray(D)	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles Social Security Tax Reform Technology War/Peace Welfare Other Senators Senate Votes (analysis) Bill Sponsorships Affiliations Policy Reports Group Ratings

Page last updated: Dec 04, 2010