With the dust clearing on the presidential primaries, the time has come to reexamine the nominees’ stances on Social Security.
The Democratic Party’s platform promises to extend the solvency of the trust fund by
lifting the cap on the payroll tax, thus having wealthier Americans contribute more to Social Security, while also raising average monthly benefits for seniors
and retooling cost-of-living adjustments. Furthermore, Hillary Clinton
has expressed interest in expanding benefits for widows and women who took time from the workforce to raise children.
Early in his campaign, Republican nominee Donald J. Trump said he would oppose cuts in Medicare and Medicaid. However, Trump policy advisors have said the candidate would be open to changes in
Social Security and Medicare after his administration has been established.
Trump has plans for a series of interrelated initiatives, including a tax-reform plan, the renegotiation of trade deals, the repeal of Dodd-Frank
and the Affordable Care Act, and immigration. Trump believes these initiatives will bolster the American economy and secure Social Security for the future.