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Max Richtman, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, on the role of Social Security in the ongoing debt debates.
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It talks the president.
Says -- can't guarantee it as a security checks are gonna continue if no debt deal is done by August 2 so we're -- about this or seniors being.
Held hostage by all of -- joining us now is -- enrichment of the national committee to print print press pre service.
-- security and Medicare -- am -- -- as a security.
To preserve Social Security Medicare.
-- a lot of questions for you I don't know if you heard the last debate that we just had the congressman from taxes but he says.
So security has plenty of money so security is fine.
I was gonna get their payments it's not a big deal what do you say -- that.
Well.
He's correct that Social Security has -- of money but he if -- that sure.
That everybody's gonna get their check on time and -- full check he is and they distinct minority.
In Washington most of us.
Are not sure we hope that Social Security.
We'll be taken out of this equation.
But as it stands right now.
I don't think very many people can be as confident as.
The congressman from Texas I do hope that if he's cares as much as he seems to about Social Security.
He would not support cutting Social Security benefits he would not support privatizing Social Security he would not support cutting the cost of living adjustment.
He would not support.
Raising the age for eligibility.
These are very important to seniors we think that.
The national committee to preserve Social Security it's a long a long title you're you're right about that we think that.
Social Security shouldn't even be part of this debate.
Social Security.
It's not the problem.
Social Security has not added a penny.
To the deficit right and even the president has said so we know why in the world why in the world of Social Security even.
-- and that yeah I think dragnet and I see it you talked about how and simulator title -- -- -- that we do we don't wanna change Social Security up my question is.
We've seen the average lifespan increased by about ten years from 1950.
Until.
Most -- most recently we've seen.
No major increase in the Social Security age since 1983.
And and the early retirement age 62 that was implemented in the early sixties and hasn't been increased.
We -- countries.
All over and private institutions increase their age of retirement.
Why -- -- stuck on the fact that we can't do that.
Well -- I'm not stuck on that and I never said we're not the national committee.
Never to change Social Security where the national committee to preserve Social Security.
And medic you think that would get -- I thought yeah.
Two and drives our security age.
My point.
Today on your program.
Is this discussion about Social Security.
Should not be held hostage.
To this debate on our debt because Social Security whatever the issues long long range issues are Social Security.
And that and let's we -- clear there -- Only is she OK I social security -- not a settled on mats let me -- what the issue is a risk Rick Rick foster's actuary at Medicare.
And particular seven -- comes a security Medicare Medicaid these programs will run out of money so we we we can't afford we can't afford.
Akin to complete the promises we made unfortunately to seniors -- that's the real issue here max's says that there are.
-- about seven trillion underfunded over the long term the the Social Security actuaries.
Issue a report in every spring.
Last spring they issued their annual report Social Security.
-- -- is able to pay everybody according to the trustee is not -- Richmond.
Our what is able to pay everybody.
Every penny -- are entitled to until the year 2036.
After that there's a shortfall of about 22%.
Yes these things need to be addressed.
But in the in the heat of this debate.
Where you just talked about what happened at the White House.
We're we're going to drag in a very very complicated.
Issue that is it has to be dealt with some time.
In the next 25 years yes suit rather sooner than later but not today not by August 2 that is a huge mistake and.
Ed -- well I think what that's what it's it's brought it to the forefront we're talking to people like you on this program so it is brought it to the national incident to the to the national discussion finally and maybe that's what needed.
To happen is as.
Rough -- it's going to be.
-- Richmond national made to preserve social security and Medicare Medicaid and -- alright -- make you very much.
For being on the show -- 90%.
All right calendar may -- July but retailers already banking on -- -- school who's going to be the big winners.
That is that some hospice giving you the -- trucks.
