Social Security is sometimes described as the “third rail of American politics.”
It got this name in the 1980s because it was so popular among both Republicans and Democrats that if any politician dared to “touch” Social Security and cut it substantially, the politician’s career would metaphorically “die.”
More than thirty years later, Social Security is still extremely popular among the American public. A recent AARP poll found that 96% of Americans said Social Security was an important government program.
In addition to bipartisan support for the program, Americans across the political spectrum also share some pessimism about the future of Social Security. A 2022 survey from Data for Progress (Left bias) found that 86% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats are somewhat or very concerned that the U.S. government may run out of funding to cover full social security benefits for future generations.
Finally, Democrats and Republicans agree with each other on some reforms to Social Security, including increasing certain revenues and reducing some benefits for younger or wealthier Americans.
- A 2024 report by Navigator Research proposed further areas of support:
- A significant majority of Americans oppose cuts to healthcare programs. Over 4 in 5 Americans (85%) oppose cuts to Medicare, and 81% oppose cuts to Medicaid.
- A strong consensus exists against cuts to veterans' healthcare, with 72% of Americans strongly opposing such measures.
- A 2024 Greenwald Research study of 1208 respondents found some compelling information:
- Regardless of budget deficits, 87% of Americans agree that Social Security should remain a national priority, supported by 90% of Democrats, 86% of Republicans, and 88% of Independents.
- A narrow majority of Americans (52%) support the expansion of Social Security.
- Eighty-seven percent of respondents believe Congress should act immediately to find a solution, rather than waiting another decade. This opinion is consistent across all demographics, including gender, age, and political party affiliation.
- A 2024 survey by the University of Maryland’s Program for Public Consultation (PPC) also found that there is bipartisan support for a variety of social security concerns:
- A substantial majority, between 86% and 89%, of respondents are in favor of applying the payroll tax to all wages exceeding $400,000.
- The idea garnered significant support, with 87% approval overall. This included 86% of Republicans and 89% of Democrats. Currently, the payroll tax is only levied on wages up to $168,600.
- 87% of both Republicans and Democrats surveyed supported gradually increasing the payroll tax rate from 6.2% to 6.5% by 2030.
- For income earners in the top 20%, a large majority of both Republicans (92%) and Democrats (93%) nationwide favored reduced benefits.
- A poll revealed that 89% of respondents were in favor of increasing the retirement age to 68 by the year 2033.
Hyria Stuart is a college student currently studying in Beijing. He majors in social work and serves as a political research assistant (American/international politics) at Boston College while planning to pursue a graduate degree (Public Administration/Policy) in the U.S. He has been interning as a policy analyst and editor since April 2020, focusing on nonpartisan proposals seeking to bring Americans together. He helped re-elect Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) in 2020 as a campaign intern. Hyria has published in “Raise the Voices.” His political bias is Lean Left.
This piece was edited by Managing Editor Henry A. Brechter (Center bias), and was reviewed by James Coan (Center bias) of Braver Angels. Correspondence can be directed to [email protected].
