FOP Issues: Social Security
Social Security was not an issue during the campaign for the presidency. Not much talk in Washington about mandatory Social Security coverage for public employees.
While some legislation was moving along regarding WEP and the Offset provisions of Social Security, nothing really took root or has much opportunity to pass without major Social Security action by Congress and the new Administration.
OnIn September, 2007, the U.S. Treasury Dept released the first in a series of issue briefs that discuss Social Security reform. (more) The first paper covers the nature of the problem and aspects of reform that the Department believes have broad support. “By focusing first on areas of agreement, I hope these issue briefs will narrow the divide and spur further discussions of reform,” Paulson said.
Despite Paulson’s efforts to find common ground, senior administration officials continued to reject any form of benefit cut or tax increase to deal with Social Security’s looming deficits, and still advocated the addition of personal investment accounts to the program—something that Republicans never even brought to a vote during their reign as the majority party in Congress. The current Democratic majority has dismissed individual accounts as a nonstarter.
Observers say Social Security reform, long reported to be dead, is still dead. They say don’t expect to see a pulse until after the 2008 elections.
Social Security Online (http://www.ssa.gov/)