To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
To America's elected leaders: let's all pitch in to strengthen Social Security and Medicare!
We petition the White House and Congress to show real leadership by passing Social Security and Medicare reform based on these three concepts:
1) A phased increase of the full retirement age from 65 to 70 by asking citizens to wait one additional month for each year left until their eligibility; "grandfathering" those within one year of retirement while allowing everyone else to contribute to the solution on a gradual scale based on their age.
2) Eliminate the Social Security and Medicare payroll deduction caps so that every citizen contributes the same share of their income to these programs.
3) Make the programs subject to a means-test so our most successful citizens don't automatically draw benefits they do not need.
1) A phased increase of the full retirement age from 65 to 70 by asking citizens to wait one additional month for each year left until their eligibility; "grandfathering" those within one year of retirement while allowing everyone else to contribute to the solution on a gradual scale based on their age.
2) Eliminate the Social Security and Medicare payroll deduction caps so that every citizen contributes the same share of their income to these programs.
3) Make the programs subject to a means-test so our most successful citizens don't automatically draw benefits they do not need.
Why is this important?
Dramatically increased life spans require that we make common sense adjustments to Social Security and Medicare. Proposed solutions that "grandfather" everyone over 55 show political cowardice, are divisive, and assume those of us closer to retirement aren't willing to share in the sacrifice. I believe all age groups love this country and are willing to pitch in as long as they feel the sacrifice is equally shared.
Since raising the retirement age disproportionately affects the poor, equal sacrifice would call for eliminating the Social Security and Medicare payroll caps. This would ensure all Americans contribute the same percentage of their income (whether from work or investments) to these programs.
Finally common sense dictates that these programs should be means-tested so that benefits are not automatically paid to those fortunate enough to not need them.
Since raising the retirement age disproportionately affects the poor, equal sacrifice would call for eliminating the Social Security and Medicare payroll caps. This would ensure all Americans contribute the same percentage of their income (whether from work or investments) to these programs.
Finally common sense dictates that these programs should be means-tested so that benefits are not automatically paid to those fortunate enough to not need them.