Bill Bradley on Social Security

Growing economy preserves trust fund best

What can we do to stabilize the Social Security trust fund? We could get a higher return on existing savings-i.e., put the money in the stock market-but I am rather skeptical about that option. We could reduce benefits or increase taxes-but there is no single benefit cut or tax increase that would solve the problem. [We should] keep economic growth high over a long period of time [so] Americans will be making more than they do now and therefore will be paying more tax into the trust fund. Source: www.billbradley.com/ “Social Security” 5/19/99 May 19, 1999

Budget surplus is a fiction; separate social security

We must correct the fiction that we have a giant surplus. We don’t. The so-called surplus really consists of the payroll taxes that American workers have paid into the Social Security trust fund since 1983 (when the system changed) and that have been building up to pay our pensions when we retire. We should take that Social Security surplus out of the budget and put it over on the side. Source: www.billbradley.com/ “Social Security” 5/19/99 May 19, 1999

Voted NO on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes.

Vote on an amendment to establish an income tax deduction for Social Security taxes paid by employees and the self-employed. Bill S Con Res 57 ; vote number 1996-140 on May 22, 1996

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