Hutchison Launches Plan to Save Social Security Reform in Budget Negotiations

Hutchison Bill Ensures Solvency of Social Security Without Raising Taxes or Cutting Core Benefits Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. It is impossible for anyone to have a serious conversation about deficit reduction or to feasibly make a dent in our unsustainable deficit without addressing entitlements such as Social Security. It is critical that any serious budget negotiations put entitlement reform on the table said U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) during a press conference unveiling her Defend & Save Social Security Act. She discussed the impending bankruptcy of Social Security & how her legislation will address the problem without raising taxes or cutting core benefits.   Under current law retirees monthly benefits would be cut nearly one-fourth beginning in 2036.  Hutchisons plan would ensure Social Securitys solvency by gradually increasing the retirement age (over 16 years) to 69 and instituting a modest one percent  reduction in the annual cost-of-living adjustment. This is why I have sent a letter to the Vice President urging him to incorporate my Defend and Save Social Security Act in the ongoing budget discussions and ultimately their final proposal" said Sen. Hutchison. My Defend and Save Social Security plan will ensure that our nations retirement program is able to make good on its promises.  With Social Security on a steep descent to $6.5 trillion in unfunded obligations during the next 75 years my Defend and Save Social Security Act would secure the future of the program without raising taxes or cutting core benefits.

Under current law retirees will have their Social Security benefits cut by 23 in about 25 years when the Trust Fund is exhausted. Allowing current law to continue and failing to take action in advance of the guaranteed shortfall is irresponsible and endangers the financial security of all Americans.  My plan involves common-sense gradual reform that strengthens Social Security for current and future retirees" said Sen. Hutchison.

Under Sen. Hutchisons proposal anyone who is currently 58 years old or older would not be affected.  For everyone else the normal retirement age would increase by three months each year starting in 2016.  It would reach 67 by 2019 68 by 2023 and 69 by 2027.  The Cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) would be computed as is under current law and under Hutchisons plan would be reduced by one percent annually. According to the Social Security Administrations Chief Actuary Sen. Hutchisons proposal decreases deficits by $416 billion over the next 10 years and will subtract a total of $7.2 trillion from the national debt by 2085.