Americans could use a financial boost. How to get that money into people’s hands has been a hot topic of debate. Democrats have
proposed expanding unemployment insurance and giving Americans as much as $2,000 per month to get back on their feet. Meanwhile, one
Republican proposal has called for giving Americans $11,000 now in exchange for every year they agree to delay their Social Security
benefits and Medicare coverage. Now, a poll conducted by Data For Progress and Social Security Works, an advocacy organization, asked
Americans which of those two options they would pick. They also asked if people think the government has already done enough.
Most respondents, 55%, said they want expanded unemployment insurance along with $2,000 per month in income. Meanwhile, 25% said
they think the government has already done enough. Just 20% said they would pick $11,000 in income for every year they delay Social
Security and Medicare.
Those most likely to support receiving $11,000 for every year they agree to delay government benefits were under age 45. That
cohort is more likely to feel that they are not going to get Social Security anyway, according to Nancy Altman, president of Social
Security Works.
Advocates for protecting Social Security, including Social Security Works, have spoken out against letting Americans borrow against
future benefits. “It’s this idea that Social Security is a piggy bank and it’s not insurance and that you can get
some cash now and all you have to do is trade away your future security,” said Altman.
Similar concerns have been expressed by other politicians, including Reps. John Larson, D-Conn., and Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, who
recently co-wrote a letter to the State Department on the matter. “In this moment of crisis, when millions of Americans are
struggling to make ends meet and fear for their retirement, we should be enhancing Social Security, not developing policies to reduce
benefits,” Larson and Castro wrote.
You can find the full article at CNBC.com.