General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Biden: “There will be no changes in Social Security” [View all]woo me with science
(32,139 posts)The despicable chained CPI lowers projected benefits by changing the formula used to calculate SS benefits. It does not change the SS program itself, but it is viciously harmful to seniors, because it cuts projected benefits increasingly severely over time and is BUILT on the assumption that money can be saved by forcing seniors to accept lower quality substitutes on their grocery lists.
Defenders of the chained CPI have often defended it by using a word game....arguing that it is not a change to Social Security. But it is an indirect assault on BENEFITS.
Obama proposed the chained CPI last year and has defended it strongly. http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1136433
Promising that the Social Security program itself will not be changed, as Biden did today, is not enough. We also need assurances that indirect assaults on SS benefits, like the chained CPI, are off the table.