Issue Position: Marco's Plan to Strengthen and Protect Social Security and Medicare

Issue Position

Social Security and Medicare are crucial pillars of America's social safety net. Our nation's elderly should be able to rely on them for financial security and peace of mind. However, both programs are on an unsustainable path, and if the next president isn't willing to undertake reforms that will modernize and strengthen them, they simply won't be there for tomorrow's seniors.

Further, the programs should be reformed to work best in the 21st century, to meet the needs of Americans in a changing economy. The programs' current crises are partially attributable to our slow economic growth, and they should be reformed with a view toward reigniting growth and helping Americans prosper throughout their lives.

As President, Marco will:
Protect Social Security and Medicare by

Making no changes for those in or near retirement
Strongly defending Medicare and Medicare Advantage for current seniors
Gradually increasing the Social Security Retirement age to keep up with changes in life expectancy
Reducing the rate of growth of benefits for upper-income seniors while making the program stronger for low-income seniors
Transitioning Medicare to a premium support system, which would give seniors a generous but fixed amount with which to purchase health insurance. Seniors would have the option of either Medicare or a private provider.

Improve the Financial Security of Retirees by

Allowing the American people to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan, which is now used by members of Congress and other federal employees
Exempting seniors over 65 who wish to continue working from the payroll tax, strengthening the economy and seniors' nest eggs
Abolishing the Retirement Earnings Test, which discourages work and does nothing to help Social Security's long-term solvency

Source