AARP is back

After being embaressed by backing Bush's Rx drug plans, the group is coming out strong against Social Security Destruction/Privatization. The GOP for its part is quibbling over the term "personal accounts" versus "private accounts." You don't have to spin your plan if it is good at first glance.

Conducted 12/6-23 by Roper Public Affairs; surveyed 1,501 adults 30 or older; margin of error +/- 3% (release, 1/24).

Would You Favor Private Accounts If It Meant ...? Favor Oppose
No withdrawals prior to retirement 33% 56%
Lower Social Security benefit in retirement 27 64
Stock market fluctuations result in decreased money 25 62
Still need to reform Soc/Sec to meet financial needs 24 62
Losers of private accounts will need more help from govt 22 65
Workers pay management fees associated with accounts 21 67
$1T needed to pay benefits of current retirees 18 68
Children will be confronted with two bills: one for
current shortfall another to meet additional shortfall 17 68
New government agency created to administer program 18 70

Keeping Soc/Sec As Is? All 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+
Strongly support 37% 27% 30% 35% 53%
Smwht support 29 35 27 30 26
Smwht oppose 14 16 17 16 8
Strongly oppose 11 16 14 12 5

Not Confident Soc/Sec Will Be There When You Retire?
30-39 40-49 50-59 60+
Not too confident 28% 40% 31% 13%
Not at all confident 44 25 18 9

Agree Strongly/Smwht Strongly Smwht
Private accounts will hurt Social Security 32% 22%
It is not fair to saddle children with additional debt
created by private accounts 58 14
Soc/Sec should be protected as a guaranteed benefit 63 15
Soc/Sec should be strengthened not replaced 66 17
Problems with Social Security can be fixed 68 24
Problems should be fixed sooner rather than later 71 20
We have a responsibility to meet our obligation to
children to make sure that Soc/Sec is there for them 77 15
We have a responsibility to meet obligation to people
currently on Soc/Sec 84 11

Overall View Of Soc/Sec Trust AARP For Accurate Soc/Sec Info?
Very fav 15% 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+
Smwht fav 47 Strongly 19% 27% 35% 32%
Not too fav 23 Smwht trust 57 55 42 46
Not at all fav 12

From release: "Approximately 4 in 10 respondents (43%) initially favored private accounts. However, those who initially favored private accounts dropped off substantially once they were exposed to any of the consequences associated with the implementation of private accounts. Opposition to private accounts increased to as much as 70% depending on the items or 'consequences' presented" (1/24).

courtesy of the National Journal