(Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) – American adults have different conclusions on some ideas that have been considered to guarantee the future solvency of their country’s Social Security system, according to a poll by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 56 per cent of respondents believe Social Security taxes should be collected on all the money a worker earns, rather than taxing only up to the first $90,000 U.S. of annual income. <snip>
I’m going to mention changes some leaders have proposed for Social Security. Please tell me if you support or oppose each one.
Support Oppose
Collecting Social Security taxes on all the money a worker earns, rather than taxing only up to the first $90,000 of annual income
56% 40%
Changing the way Social Security benefits are calculated so that benefits increase at a slower rate than they would under the current formula
37% 57%
Further reducing the benefits paid to people who retire early. For instance, people who retire at age 62 would get 63% of their full benefits, rather than the current 70%
36% 62%
Raising the retirement age to receive full Social Security benefits to 68, instead of the current 67
33% 66%
Increasing the Social Security tax rate
32% 64%
Reducing guaranteed benefits for future retirees
20% 75%
Source: TNS / Washington Post / ABC News
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,001 American adults, conducted from Mar. 10 to Mar. 13, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewItem&itemID=6383<edit: subject line>