|
E-mail this page to a friend!
Senior Citizen Politics
Social Security Private Accounts Not Likely to be
Supported in this Election
AARP survey finds
strong opposition among those 42 and older
 October 4, 2006 – One thing voters will not be
hearing about this election are the Social Security private investment
accounts that were so strongly promoted by President Bush and supported
by Republicans in Congress. That boat has sunk. Initially, the idea was
interesting to many younger voters but the most recent polls show 71
percent of Americans age 42 and older - the most likely voters - now
oppose the idea.
| |
Related Stories |
|
| |
Boomers, Seniors Ready to Vote and High Drug Prices
an Issue says AARP Survey
Senior drug prices
climbing at 6.3% a year, generics basically flat
September 19, 2006 – A survey of senior citizens
and baby boomers (age 42 and over) has found 74 percent saying the price
of drugs will be a "voting issue" in the up-coming elections. It also
found 60 percent of those 60 and over saying they always vote. This
voter survey was released yesterday by AARP, as it also released the
latest survey of drug prices showing the most commonly used medications
for older adults rose an average of 6.3 percent in the 12 months ending
with June.
Read
more...
Don't Vote Campaign, Voter Information Site Launched
by AARP
September 19, 2006 - As part of an ongoing voter
education campaign, AARP today unveiled its "Don't Vote" initiative,
which tells voters "Don't vote . . . until you know where the candidates
stand on the issues." The campaign has its own Website where voters can select their respective state
and receive information on state and national races, find their
district, and register to vote.
Read more...
Read more
on
Politics for Senior Citizens |
|
In fact, there is a great deal of intensity in the
opposition of private accounts, according to the AARP survey.
Those who oppose private accounts were more than
four times as likely to strongly oppose private accounts (57 percent) as
to somewhat oppose them (14 percent), while respondents who support
private accounts were almost evenly divided between strongly support (9
percent) and somewhat support (8 percent).
Released in late September, these results are from
the third in the weekly series of "AARP Election Watch: Pulse of a
Generation" opinion tracking surveys.
When given the choice, an overwhelming 79 percent
of all respondents want candidates who are elected from both the U.S.
House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to work to strengthen the
existing Social Security program, rather than work to create new,
private accounts.
AARP found that there is great resistance among
likely boomer-plus voters to use Social Security tax dollars in order to
fund private accounts. Seven in 10 respondents oppose private accounts
(71 percent).
"Social Security is the only guaranteed benefit
that most people will have when they retire," said David Sloane, senior
managing director of Government Relations for AARP. "Americans recognize
that private accounts carved out of Social Security are not the answer,
and are looking for other action to improve the current system."
Candidates who support using Social Security taxes
to fund private accounts and who want to capture the 42 plus vote could
be hard pressed to do so, according to AARP.
Nearly two-thirds of likely voters (64 percent)
said they are either not at all likely (38 percent) or not very likely
(26 percent) to vote for a candidate who supports using the Social
Security taxes to fund private accounts. Older respondents in particular
report they are not at all likely to vote for a candidate who supports
private accounts (43 percent ages 61 plus; 34 percent ages 42-50 and 35
percent ages 51-60).
Unfortunately, not all voters feel well enough
informed. "Half of the voters we talked to believe the candidates have
not been clear enough on where they stand on the issue of private
accounts," noted Sloane. "We're urging people to find out where their
candidates stand on the important issues."
For AARP Voter Guides, additional details about the
issues, or to get involved in this debate, visit
http://www.aarp.org/issues.
The full "AARP Election Watch: Pulse of a
Generation" election survey can be found at:
http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/general/rx_pulse_2006.pdf
AARP markets insurance and other goods and
services to older Americans. It describes itself as a nonprofit,
nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50 plus have
independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and
affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP produces AARP The
Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, a monthly newspaper; AARP
Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA
Live & Learn, a quarterly newsletter for 50 plus educators; and Web
site,
http://www.AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that
provides security, protection and empowerment to older persons in need
with support from thousands of volunteers, donors and sponsors. AARP has
staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Click to More Senior News on the
Front Page
Copyright: SeniorJournal.com |
