By Mike Moen Reporter/Producer, Prairie News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.
Congress just avoided a partial government shutdown by approving a budget through the end of September. However, the debate over some crucial issues, for instance, a new blueprint for a key safety net program, continues. And that has advocates in North Dakota and across the country worried.
Proposed Social Security changes
A House caucus of more than 170 Republican lawmakers has issued a proposed outline for the 2025 fiscal year. It includes raising the retirement age for Social Security eligibility “to account for increases in life expectancy.”
Nancy Altman, president of the advocacy group Social Security Works, said, like past suggestions from the caucus, it should be considered a non-starter, arguing it essentially amounts to a benefit cut.
“You never catch up,” Altman asserted. “Even if you work till age 70, your benefit’s going to be about 7% lower than it is under current law.”
No specific higher age was outlined, but AARP North Dakota has also sounded the alarm about the plan, urging its members to demand “no cuts.” Social Security faces financial headwinds a decade from now. Still, Altman supports President Joe Biden’s calls for raising payroll taxes on the wealthy to help ensure the program stays fully funded. His skeptics argued it would not be enough.
However, Altman and other advocates think it is a good first step. The GOP framework also calls for reducing benefits for higher earners. No income threshold was provided, but Altman suspects it would still hurt a lot of people who are not exactly wealthy in their retirement.
“It’s not what many people would think,” Altman contended. “They’re certainly not Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, and the billionaire class.”
She predicted the people targeted for cuts would be more aligned with the middle class. Republicans insist the changes would not cut or delay benefits for any senior currently in or near retirement. North Dakota’s lone Congressman, Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., is part of the caucus behind the proposal.
