Baucus: Keep Social Security out of any deficit-reduction deal

Baucus: Keep Social Security out of any deficit-reduction deal

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus Tuesday said he doesn't want changes to Social Security as part of any current deficit reduction effort.

Negotiators from both parties plan to meet later Tuesday with Vice President Joe Biden to discuss ways to raise the debt limit while cutting spending. Most congressional leaders have said they want virtually everything up for discussion.

Baucus, D-Mont., thought otherwise.

"Social Security benefits are financed only through payroll taxes and the Trust Fund. Social Security is not responsible for the deficits we face in the general fund today. Therefore, I believe Social Security should not be part of our efforts to reduce those deficits," he said.

His explanation:

"What we can’t forget in this debate is that Social Security benefits are modest. Ninety-five percent of retired workers receive monthly benefits of less than $2,000. In fact, the average Social Security benefit for retirees is $1,175 a month, or about $14,100 a year. That’s only $267 a month above the poverty line.

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http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2011/05/baucus-keep-social-security-out-of-any-deficit-reduction-deal.html#ixzz1LyDzcpxH

Go Max.

And get everyone on the Democratic side on the same page and right side.

someone in Congress finally gets it.

Glad to be of service -- particularly this service.

:wow: