Where the Republican Candidates Stand on Social Security and Medicare
Social Security and Medicare are known as third rails of American politics for a reason. Reducing benefits is very unpopular, but higher taxes are divisive, too — and without at least one of those two steps, both programs are on track to become unable to make full payments in the next decade. Exact projections have fluctuated based on overall economic conditions, but the most recent estimates show Social Security running out of money to cover full benefits by 2033, and part of Medicare by 2031.
The candidates are split on whether to call for changes to the programs, but those who say they would leave them untouched generally have not explained how they would keep them solvent.
Donald J. Trump
Former PresidentHe says he wouldn’t cut the programs but hasn’t explained how he would keep them solvent.
Former President Donald J. Trump has said he would not make any cuts to Social Security or Medicare benefits. However, he has also opposed raising taxes to bring in more funding for them, which means his plans would not keep the programs solvent for the long term. A spokesman for his campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Read full position
Ron DeSantis
Governor of FloridaHe says he’s open to Social Security cuts for younger Americans.
Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida has ruled out reducing Social Security benefits for current retirees and people near retirement age, but he has expressed openness to reductions for younger Americans. Read full position
Nikki Haley
Former Governor of South CarolinaShe says she’s open to cuts for younger Americans.
Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, has suggested that she would raise the Social Security retirement age for people currently in their 20s in accordance with increases in life expectancy, though she has not given a number. (The retirement age is currently 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.) Read full position
Mike Pence
Former Vice PresidentHe wants to partly privatize Social Security, but his plan for Medicare is unclear.
Former Vice President Mike Pence has tried to contrast himself with candidates who say they would leave Social Security and Medicare untouched. Read full position
Tim Scott
Senator from South CarolinaHe says he wouldn’t cut the programs but hasn’t explained how he would keep them solvent.
Senator Tim Scott said at a campaign event this spring that he would “never, ever cut Medicare or Social Security benefits.” But at another event, he also said that policymakers would “have to look at the overall entitlement state of our nation.” Read full position
Chris Christie
Former Governor of New JerseyHe supports a higher retirement age and lower benefits for wealthy people.
Former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey supports raising the retirement age for people currently in their 40s or younger, and ending Social Security benefits for the wealthiest people, a policy known as means-testing. “Do we really need to have Warren Buffett and Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk collecting Social Security?” he asked in an interview with Fox News in July. Read full position
Asa Hutchinson
Former Governor of ArkansasHe wants to let people claim benefits early while still working, and he would have a commission consider changes.
Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas has suggested that people who begin claiming Social Security benefits early should be allowed to continue working while still receiving the benefits. By continuing to earn a paycheck, these workers would keep paying into the Social Security system through payroll deductions, increasing the program’s funding. Read full position
Vivek Ramaswamy
EntrepreneurHe says he wouldn’t cut the programs but hasn’t explained how he would keep them solvent.