State of Delaware Archives: on Social Security

James DeMartino: Promote individual responsibility for retirement

A: A new social security system must be devised and implemented for future generations. Current retirees and seniors relying on their social security benefits must not be impacted. This new system will require realistic funding projections, analysis and a visionary concept that does not rely solely, if at all, on a government run program funded with your tax dollars. The government needs to emphasize, support and promote individual responsibility for retirement. I will be a proponent for self reliance and financial independence of all individuals. This can be accomplished by reducing and eliminating the burden of government regulations and restrictions on your freedom.

Lauren Witzke: Benefits only to those who have paid into system

A: Cutting all welfare benefits to non-working Americans, and making sure only American citizens who have paid into social security are recipients.

Lisa Blunt Rochester: Fight any attempt to privatize Social Security and Medicare

Before Social Security and Medicare, the single biggest cause of poverty in this country was getting old. We saw this problem, came together as a country, and created two of the most successful public programs of all time. Most Republicans in Washington want to gamble with our seniors' wellbeing by privatizing Social Security and cutting Medicare.

In Congress, Lisa will be a champion for our seniors by:
• Fighting any attempt to privatize Social Security and Medicare
• Allow Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices
• Opposing reductions in cost of living adjustments
• Fighting to keep the retirement age at 67
• Increasing the current qualified income cap

Colin Bonini: Tax incentives to encourage payroll deduction savings

Colin Bonini: We MUST encourage savings. I'm so glad the AARP is bringing attention to this issue!!! I support creating tax incentives to encourage payroll deduction savings. I believe under-saving for retirement is a critical issue and I look forward to working with the AARP and others to address this issue! If there are good ideas in other states or organizations that increase savings, we should consider them!

John Carney: Expect to work longer than our parents did before retiring

John Carney: As a baby boomer, I know we can expect to work for much longer than our parents did before retiring. As former Sec. of Finance, I understand the importance of saving throughout one's career. I helped revamp the state employee deferred compensation plan to enable more state employees to save for retirement. For future seniors to live comfortably in retirement, we need solutions to encourage long-term saving from an early age. While being sensitive to small businesses for whom offering a payroll deduction may be burdensome, I'd support measures to encourage employers to offer a retirement savings plan as an option.

Chris Coons: Against privatizing Social Security

A: No.

Q: Do you support increasing the federal minimum wage?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support the ability of workers to unionize?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support federal funding for job-training programs that retrain displaced workers?

A: Yes.