Gallup's Pulse of Democracy
Social Security
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Guidance for Lawmakers |
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Fine Print |
It is difficult to get a precise measurement of support for private investment plans because results are sensitive to question wording, in the way the program is described. Support is higher when questions talk about giving workers the "choice" to invest in the plan and when respondents are reminded that workers could get higher benefits from their investments. Support is lower when the question specifically mentions investments in the "stock market," and when respondents are reminded about increased risk and the possibility that workers could get lower benefits. |
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Context |
Less than half of non-retirees expect to get any Social Security benefits when they retire; only about one in three 18- to 29-year-olds does. Most non-retired Americans expect Social Security to be a minor source of retirement income. At the same time, current retirees say it is a major source of income for them. This disconnect could create major financial problems for baby boomers and future generations when they retire. |
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Urgency: Overall Importance as Political Issue |
Despite the acknowledgement that problems exist with the Social Security system, there is not great urgency on behalf of the public to change it. Less than half of Americans think changes are needed in the next couple years, though most think some changes are needed in at least the next decade. Social Security does not rank that highly on lists of issue priorities for the president and Congress to deal with. It is far behind top-rated issues such as Iraq and terrorism, but above low-salience issues such as the environment and immigration. Very few Americans spontaneously mention Social Security as the most important problem facing the country, though more did so during the White House push in early 2005. The urgency of the issue has faded since the White House has backed off pushing a reform plan. However, the urgency for reform was never that high. |
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Impact on 2006 Vote |
Democrats, as has long been the case, are seen as better at handling the issue. Bush's approval ratings on the issue are low; roughly 6 in 10 disapprove of his handling the issue. Social Security is unlikely to be a major issue in 2006 without a renewed focus on it. |
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Key Subgroup Differences |
Younger Americans are much less likely to expect to receive future benefits than are older Americans. They are also less likely to see the issue as an urgent priority. Americans under age 50 are much more likely to support private investment plans than are those age 50 and older. On other specific reform proposals, there are inconsistent differences by age. Younger Americans are somewhat more likely to favor cuts in future benefits than are older Americans. A majority of Republicans favor private investment proposals, while a majority of Democrats oppose them. On most other reform proposals, there are little or no partisan differences. However, Republicans are more likely to favor cuts in future benefits, while Democrats are more likely to favor raising Social Security taxes on wealthy Americans. |
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The Bottom Line |
Most Americans believe the system needs change, but not in the immediate future. Very few reform proposals engender public support. Americans who are not nearing retirement age (under 50) are more supportive of changes to the system, but also skeptical Social Security will pay them when they retire. There is at best mixed support for the idea of private investment accounts. Social Security reform is not currently a high-priority issue for many Americans. |
When you retire, how much do you expect to rely on Social Security -- as your main source of income, as a minor source of income, or not at all?
[BASED ON NON-RETIRED ADULTS]
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Main source |
Minor source |
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|
|
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2005 Nov 11-13 |
21% |
52 |
25 |
2 |
|
2005 Jan 7-9 |
18% |
57 |
24 |
1 |
|
2000 Aug 11-12 |
17% |
55 |
26 |
2 |
|
1998 Jul 13-14 |
17% |
58 |
23 |
2 |
How much planning would you say you've done for your retirement-enough planning considering your present age, some but not enough planning considering your present age, or no planning at all?
[BASED ON NON-RETIRED ADULTS]
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Enough planning |
Some, but |
No planning |
No |
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2005 Nov 11-13 |
32% |
52 |
15 |
1 |
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2005 Feb 4-6 |
32% |
53 |
14 |
1 |
Based on what you have heard or read, in general, do you approve or disapprove of George W. Bush's approach to addressing the Social Security system?
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Approve |
Disapprove |
No opinion |
|
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2005 Jul 22-24 |
29% |
62 |
9 |
|
2005 Mar 18-20 |
40% |
53 |
7 |
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2005 Feb 4-6 |
44% |
50 |
6 |
As you may know, a proposal has been made that would allow workers to invest part of their Social Security taxes in the stock market or in bonds, while the rest of those taxes would remain in the Social Security system. Do you favor or oppose this proposal?
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Favor |
Oppose |
No opinion |
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% |
% |
% |
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2005 Jun 24-26 |
44 |
53 |
3 |
|
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2005 Apr 29-May 1 |
44 |
52 |
4 |
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2005 Apr 1-2 ^ |
39 |
56 |
5 |
|
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2005 Mar 18-20 ^ |
45 |
47 |
8 |
|
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2004 Dec 17-19 ^ |
48 |
48 |
4 |
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^ |
Asked of a half sample. |
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Who do you trust more to deal with the issue of Social Security retirement benefits - [ROTATED: the Democratic Party (or) the Republican Party]?
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Both equally (vol.) |
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2005 Jun 24-26 |
47% |
34 |
3 |
13 |
3 |
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2005 Apr 29-May 1 |
46% |
36 |
3 |
12 |
3 |
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2005 Feb 25-27 |
47% |
37 |
2 |
9 |
5 |
Do you think -- [ROTATED: George W. Bush/the Democrats in Congress/the Republicans in Congress] -- has/have proposed a clear plan for addressing the Social Security system, has/have proposed a plan, but one that is not clear to you, or has/have not proposed a specific plan for addressing the Social Security system?
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Proposed |
Have not proposed |
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George W. Bush |
25% |
42 |
28 |
5 |
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The Republicans in Congress |
15% |
42 |
36 |
7 |
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The Democrats in Congress |
11% |
36 |
45 |
8 |
Do you think the federal government should make major changes in the Social Security system to ensure its long-term future - in the next year or two, within the next ten years, or do you think major changes are not needed within the next ten years?
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Within the |
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2005 Apr 29-May 1 |
45% |
36 |
16 |
3 |
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2005 Feb 25-27 ^ |
38% |
37 |
22 |
3 |
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2005 Jan 7-9 |
49% |
39 |
9 |
3 |
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^ |
Asked of a half sample. |
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As you may know, a proposal has been made that would curb Social Security benefits for middle income workers in the future, curb them even more for higher income workers, but would not affect benefits for lower income workers and those born before 1950. Do you favor or oppose this proposal?
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Favor |
Oppose |
No opinion |
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2005 Apr 29-May 1 |
38% |
54 |
8 |
If you had to choose, which of the following do you think would be best for you in the long run -- [ROTATED: Congress passes a Social Security reform plan this year that most Republicans support, (or) Congress passes a Social Security reform plan this year that most Democrats support], or Congress does not pass a plan this year?
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Pass |
Pass |
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2005 Apr 29-May 1 |
27% |
22 |
46 |
5 |
If you had to choose one of the following approaches to ensuring Social Security's long-term future, would you rather -- [ROTATED: raise Social Security taxes (or) curb the amount of benefits for future Social Security recipients]?
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Raise taxes |
Curb benefits |
No opinion |
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2005 Apr 29-May 1 |
53% |
38 |
9 |
Do you think it is possible to ensure the long-term future of the Social Security system without either raising YOUR taxes or cutting YOUR Social Security benefits, or is that not possible?
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Yes, possible |
No, not possible |
No opinion |
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2005 Apr 29-May 1 |
35% |
62 |
3 |
Based on what you have heard or read, do you think the proposals for Social Security made by George W. Bush would -- [ROTATED: cut the amount of Social Security benefits you, personally, will receive, (or) protect the amount of Social Security benefits you, personally, will receive]?
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Cut benefits |
Protect benefits |
No opinion |
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2005 Apr 29-May 1 |
53% |
38 |
9 |
How worried are you that the Republicans will go too far in changing the Social Security system -- very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not at all worried?
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Very worried |
Somewhat worried |
Not too |
Not at all worried |
No |
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2005 Apr 29-May 1 |
28% |
34 |
21 |
15 |
2 |
How worried are you that the Democrats will not go far enough to change the Social Security system -- very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not at all worried?
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Very worried |
Somewhat worried |
Not too |
Not at all worried |
No |
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2005 Apr 29-May 1 |
22% |
39 |
26 |
11 |
2 |
Just your best guess, if you had to choose, do you think the Democrats are -- [ROTATED: mainly trying to use the Social Security issue to hurt the Republican Party in the next elections, (or are they) mainly trying to ensure the long-term stability of the Social Security system]?
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Trying to |
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2005 Apr 29-May 1 |
46% |
49 |
5 |
Just your best guess, if you had to choose, do you think George W. Bush is -- [ROTATED: trying to ensure the long-term stability of the Social Security system, (or is he) trying to dismantle the Social Security system]?
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Trying to |
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2005 Apr 29-May 1 |
55% |
41 |
4 |
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2005 Apr 1-2 |
50% |
46 |
4 |
As you may know, one idea to address concerns with the Social Security system would allow people who retire in future decades to invest some of their Social Security taxes in the stock market and bonds, but would reduce the guaranteed benefits they get when they retire. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?
[ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE]
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Good idea |
Bad idea |
No opinion |
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|
% |
% |
% |
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2005 Apr 1-2 |
33 |
61 |
6 |
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2005 Mar 18-20 |
33 |
59 |
8 |
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2005 Feb 7-10 |
36 |
60 |
4 |
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2005 Feb 4-6 |
40 |
55 |
5 |
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2005 Jan 7-9 |
40 |
55 |
5 |
Do you think political leaders in this country are -- [ROTATED: moving too slowly, (or) moving at an appropriate pace] -- in taking up legislation to change the Social Security system?
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Moving at appropriate pace |
Moving |
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2005 Apr 1-2 |
61% |
29 |
7 |
3 |
Who do you think is mostly to blame for this -- [ROTATED: George W. Bush and the Republicans in Congress, (or) the Democrats in Congress]?
[BASED ON ADULTS WHO SAY POLITICAL LEADERS ARE MOVING TOO SLOWLY IN TAKING UP LEGISLATION TO CHANGE THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM]
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Bush and Republicans |
|
|
|
|
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2005 Apr 1-2 |
40% |
32 |
17 |
4 |
7 |
Would you say you understand the current debate over the future of the Social Security system very well, somewhat well, not too well, or not at all?
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Some- |
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Not at all |
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2005 Mar 18-20 |
31% |
50 |
13 |
5 |
1 |
Do you think it is -- or is not -- necessary for Congress and the president to pass legislation this year to make changes to the Social Security system?
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Yes, is |
No, is not |
No opinion |
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2005 Mar 7-10 |
51% |
46 |
3 |
Suppose Congress and the president do pass legislation to make changes to the Social Security system this year. Do you think that legislation should -- or should not -- include a provision that would allow people who retire in future decades to invest some of their Social Security taxes in the stock market and bonds?
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Yes, should |
No, should not |
No opinion |
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2005 Mar 7-10 |
58% |
37 |
5 |
Which do you think is riskier for average American workers today - [ROTATED: investing some of their Social Security taxes in stocks and bonds, (or) relying on the Social Security system to pay them the current level of benefits when they retire]?
[BASED ON -482-NATIONAL ADULTS IN FORM B]
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|
Relying on the |
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2005 Feb 25-27 |
46% |
50 |
4 |
Which of these statements do you think best describes the Social Security system -- it is in a state of crisis, it has major problems, it has minor problems, or it does not have any problems?
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|
|
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Does not have any problems |
|
|
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2005 Feb 4-6 |
17% |
55 |
23 |
4 |
1 |
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2005 Jan 7-9 |
18% |
53 |
24 |
3 |
2 |
Trends for Comparison: Which of these statements do you think best describes the Social Security system today -- the Social Security system is in a state of crisis, it has major problems, it has minor problems, or it does not have any problems?
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|
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Does not have any problems |
|
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2002 Sep 20-22 |
13% |
54 |
29 |
3 |
1 |
|
1998 Dec 4-6 |
15% |
55 |
23 |
5 |
2 |
Assuming there would be no change in Social Security benefits for those who are now age 55 or older, do you think each of the following would be a good idea or a bad idea to address concerns with the Social Security system? How about - [RANDOM ORDER]?
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2005 Feb 4-6 |
Good idea |
Bad idea |
No opinion |
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
Limiting benefits for wealthy retirees |
68 |
29 |
3 |
|
Requiring higher income workers to pay Social Security taxes on ALL of their wages |
67 |
30 |
3 |
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Further reducing the total amount of benefits a person would receive if they retired early |
40 |
57 |
3 |
|
Increasing Social Security taxes for all workers |
37 |
60 |
3 |
|
Increasing the age at which people are eligible to receive full benefits |
35 |
63 |
2 |
|
Reducing retirement benefits for people who are currently under age 55 |
29 |
67 |
4 |
Do you think the Social Security system will - or will not - be bankrupt by the year 2042 if major changes are not made to the system?
|
Yes, will |
No, will not |
No opinion |
|
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2005 Feb 4-6 |
64% |
30 |
6 |
How well do you understand the details you have heard or read so far about the debate over Social Security reform in this country? Would you say you understand - most of those details, many of them, a few of them, or none of them at all?
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|
|
|
|
No opinion |
|
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2005 Feb 4-6 |
34% |
32 |
30 |
3 |
1 |
Suppose Americans were allowed to invest a portion of all the Social Security taxes that they paid in their lifetime in stocks and bonds. When they retired, do you think most Americans would receive - [ROTATED: higher Social Security benefits than the government would provide, about the same benefits, or lower Social Security benefits than the government would provide]?
|
|
About the same |
|
|
|
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2005 Feb 4-6 |
30% |
27 |
37 |
6 |
What about you? Do you think that if you had invested a portion of all the Social Security taxes that you have paid in your lifetime in stocks and bonds that you would receive - [ROTATED: higher Social Security benefits than the government would provide, about the same benefits, or lower Social Security benefits than the government would provide]?
|
|
About the same |
|
|
|
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2005 Feb 4-6 |
40% |
29 |
27 |
4 |
Are you, or is your spouse, currently collecting Social Security retirement benefits, or not?
|
Yes, are |
No, are not |
No opinion |
|
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2005 Feb 4-6 |
25% |
75 |
* |
Do you think the Social Security system will be able to pay you a benefit when you retire?
BASED ON NON-RETIRED ADULTS
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|
|
Doesn't apply |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
2005 Jan 7-9 |
45 |
50 |
1 |
4 |
|
2001 Mar 26-28 |
52 |
41 |
2 |
5 |
|
2000 Aug 11-12 |
49 |
42 |
2 |
7 |
|
1994 Jan |
47 |
52 |
-- |
1 |
|
1992 Mar |
49 |
49 |
-- |
2 |
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1991 Mar |
49 |
48 |
-- |
3 |
|
1991 Mar |
51 |
42 |
-- |
7 |
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1990 Mar |
48 |
47 |
-- |
5 |
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1989 Dec |
49 |
47 |
-- |
4 |
Do you think the Social Security system will be able to continue to pay you full benefits, or do you think there will eventually be cuts in your benefits?
BASED ON RETIRED ADULTS
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Continue to get full benefits |
|
Doesn't apply |
|
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2005 Jan 7-9 |
57% |
32 |
4 |
7 |
How much do you currently rely on Social Security - [ROTATED: as your main source of income, as a minor source of income, or not at all]?
BASED ON RETIRED ADULTS
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Main source |
Minor source |
|
|
|
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2005 Jan 7-9 |
44% |
40 |
14 |
2 |
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