Liberal Group’s Meme Mentions Nonexistent GOP Vote to Raise Social Security’s Retirement Age

A Republican Study Committee task force released a budget last year proposing to raise the full retirement age to 70 for some future Social Security beneficiaries. There was no vote on the plan, but a liberal group’s viral meme incorrectly claimed “156 congressional Republicans … just voted to RAISE the retirement age to 70.”

Over 150 Republicans have not voted during the current Congress to raise the retirement age for Social Security. That false claim was made in a popular meme posted to Facebook and Instagram on Feb. 27 by the liberal advocacy group Occupy Democrats.

The meme, which has received thousands of likes and shares on those platforms, says: “The 156 congressional Republicans that just voted to RAISE the retirement age to 70 can get their pension when they reach 62, with just 5 years of service.” Occupy Democrats attributed that information to Twitter user @trom771, who tweeted that statement on Feb. 26.

The claim about Republican votes is not accurate, and the one about pensions for lawmakers — which we’ll explain later — could confuse readers.

The tweet from @trom771 came about two weeks after Social Security Works, a group “fighting to protect and expand” Social Security, tweeted: “It’s not just Rick Scott. 156 House Republicans released a plan to raise the retirement age to 70. RT if you don’t want to work till you die!”