Social Security


Social Security is not an entitlement — it is a service that we pay into for our entire working lives. That’s why it is the Congress’s responsibility to ensure that we can receive the full benefits of Social Security when we retire.

I am proud to support the Social Security 2100 Act, which not only protects the program’s longevity, but will actually expand benefits to millions of Americans. By subjecting earnings above $400,000 to the payroll tax, Social Security will remain solvent beyond 2100, all while protecting Middle Class Americans from any tax increases.

Beyond making sure current and future generations receive Social Security, we must work to actively expand benefits. Right now, there are close to 5 million adults in the US age 65 and older who live in poverty. By raising the minimum benefit of Social Security to 125% of the federal poverty level, we can help eradicate poverty for our seniors. And by tying Social Security cost of living adjustments to the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), we can more accurately ensure the benefits don’t erode over time to inflation.

Finally, we must fight against benefit cuts in all their forms. Republican leadership in the Congress has openly supported privatizing Social Security, which would create a massive cut in benefits. They’re doing this to pay for their $2 trillion tax cut that went mainly to corporations, and unfairly targeted New Jersey by capping our SALT deduction.

My opponent has called for raising the retirement age, which is both unfair to future generations, and would be extremely damaging to low-income and hard-laboring workers. Raising the retirement age could push elderly blue collar workers to work past their physical capacity, putting them at risk for injuries and increased health costs.

We know that Social Security helps vulnerable Americans, allows the elderly to retire with dignity, and most importantly, it works. That’s why I will proudly defend and expand Social Security if elected.