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Cynthia McKinney on Social Security

Social Security is a social insurance program officially called "Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance" (OASDI), in reference to its three components. It is primarily funded through a dedicated payroll tax. The debate over social security is largely in how and who will control these accounts. The candidates offer many prescriptions which run the spectrum between private and public control of social security.

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Cynthia McKinney strongly opposes privatizing social security through personal Social Security accounts

[McKinney] opposes efforts to privatize Social Security. Claims about the insolvency of the system have been deliberately concocted and the facts distorted in order to push privatization schemes. Social Security was a gain of the progressive movements of the past that must be guarded from encroachment. If there are any future solvency issues, they should be dealt with by improving the funding stream as needed, not sacrificing the integrity of the program.

Chicago Tribune Issues Comparison

Cynthia McKinney is neutral on raising the earnings cap on Social Security, which is currently $102,000

Voted YES to pass a bill that lowers the percentage of Social Security benefits subject to taxation from 85% to 50% for eligible retirees.

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Voted YES to pass a bill that would allow senior citizens ages 65 through 69 to continue to earn money without a reduction in their Social Security benefits. Currently, anyone in that age group who earns over $17,000 loses $1 of every $3 of the Social Security benefits, but does not apply to anyone 70 or older. The earnings limit was scheduled to rise to $30,000 by 2002.

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