1.) Tax cuts and new outlays for Medicare and new veterans benefits enacted in 2003 are estimated to increase the national debt by more than $772 billion over the next decade. Conservative and liberal critics alike say the combination sets a time bomb set to explode when baby boomers start retiring later this decade.  What do you think is the best course of action for Congress to take with the budget? Please check all that apply.

Enact legislation that would require balancing the budget over the next five years.

Freeze tax cuts that have not yet gone into effect, and don’t extend those ready to end.

Establish a federal spending budget that only increases at the rate of inflation.

Cut discretionary spending.

Increase Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes.

Make Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes off-limits for other government spending.

Don’t know

2.) Should TSCL support legislation that would call for a constitutional amendment to provide that Social Security, Medicare, and military retirement funds are kept separate from the general federal budget and not used for other spending? 

Yes    No    Don’t know

Social Security

3.) Current Social Security policy allows immigrants, who have worked in this country illegally and who later get a valid Social Security number, to apply the work credits they received while illegal to their benefit record if they can prove those credits belong to them.  Because of this, immigrants may qualify for benefits sooner and for a higher amount.  Would you support legislation that would forbid the crediting of wages earned while in this country illegally and based on illegal work?  Pleasechoose one.

 Yes    No    Don’t know

4.) Under current law, the widow, family or estate of a deceased Social Security beneficiary must return the final Social Security benefit covering the month in which the beneficiary dies, even if that person died on the last day of the month.  Pleasechoose the answer below that reflects what you think would be the best solution:

Repeal the rule.  A person’s family or estate should receive their full month’s benefit no matter what day of the month they die.

Modify the rule to pro-rate the benefit.  A person should receive a benefit based on the number of days they were alive their final month.

Leave the rule as is— the Social Security Trust Fund is going broke and needs the money.

5.) Should TSCL support legislation that would lower the age for individuals to be eligible for widow or widower benefits, from 60 to 55? 

Yes    No    Don’t know

6.) Under current “Windfall and Offset” rules, Social Security will reduce the Social Security benefits of persons who have pension benefits from employment not covered by Social Security.  This affects teachers, firefighters, policemen and many others.  Should TSCL continue to lobby for legislation that would repeal or modify these rules?

Yes    No    Don’t know

Thank you --