Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

progree

(12,248 posts)
39. Bernie Sanders is for the gap in this one from March 2015
Mon May 18, 2015, 11:57 PM
May 2015
Sanders Files Bill to Strengthen, Expand Social Security
Thursday, March 12, 2015

“The most effective way to strengthen Social Security for the future is to eliminate the cap on the payroll tax on all income above $250,000 so millionaires and billionaires pay the same share as everyone else.”

... Sanders’ measure would make the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share. Under current law, the amount of income subject to the payroll tax is capped at $118,500. That means someone making millions of dollars a year pays the same amount in payroll taxes as some making $118,500 a year. The legislation would subject all income over $250,000 to the payroll tax. Doing so would impact only the top 1.5 percent of wage earners, the Center for Economic Policy Research has estimated.

The bill also would subject unearned household income above $250,000 to the same 6.2 percent tax as applies to most earned income. The top 0.1 percent of Americans gets about half of all capital gains income.

Asking the wealthiest Americans to contribute more into Social Security, would not only extend the solvency of Social Security through 2060, it also would allow Social Security benefits to be expanded for millions of Americans.

...The bill would:

Increase Social Security benefits by about $65 a month for most recipients.

Increase cost-of-living Adjustments for Social Security recipients.

Provide a minimum Social Security benefit to significantly reduce the senior poverty rate.


Social Security today has a $2.8 trillion surplus and will be able to pay all promised benefits until 2033, after which it will be able to pay around 75 percent of all promised benefits. The Social Security Expansion Act would increase revenue and extend the solvency of Social Security for the next 45 years.

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-calls-on-congress-to-strengthen-and-expand-social-security

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Well as you know Hillary will check in with you upaloopa May 2015 #1
I have yet to figure out why he gives a rip. leftofcool May 2015 #3
Do you have something against people being informed? Exilednight May 2015 #49
"We do have a plan. We have a plan for my plan." NYC_SKP May 2015 #4
You have stated your opposition to Hillary upaloopa May 2015 #5
Would it be OK if I post daily facts so that members who are still on the fence can decide? NYC_SKP May 2015 #10
I don't run your life upaloopa May 2015 #11
That's adorable! NYC_SKP May 2015 #12
Don't forget Chelsey's baby upaloopa May 2015 #13
That's who I meant by "another little one who could grow up in the white house"! NYC_SKP May 2015 #15
"Chelsey will be First Lady" - Yow! hootinholler May 2015 #17
Alternating with Bushes, I presume? Jackpine Radical May 2015 #52
never mind, i forgot where i was for a minute NoJusticeNoPeace May 2015 #27
I care what he posts. 99Forever May 2015 #14
well, it's nice and all that you don't worry your beautiful mind on issues cali May 2015 #24
Exactly right. JEB May 2015 #34
That's not fair, Cali. Jackpine Radical May 2015 #53
Bernie is the real populist, he's been fighting for workers his whole career peacebird May 2015 #2
That's the thing - is there really ANYTHING she WON'T say, closeupready May 2015 #9
Considering how she flip flopped on Iraq Sobax May 2015 #56
Yes, compared to Bernie, Hillary is to the right on the important issues. And, compared to ANY NoJusticeNoPeace May 2015 #30
Thanks for the link. "Media Forget Context In Effort To Scandalize Hillary Clinton's Assessment..." Cerridwen May 2015 #6
Here's another enlightening and more recent link from Media Matters: Cerridwen May 2015 #7
Media Matters is an arm of the Clinton campaign. . cali May 2015 #26
Oh, I see. Got it. n/t Cerridwen May 2015 #28
often referred to as HRC's "shadow government". NCTraveler May 2015 #42
I found that reference at breibert, newsmax, townhall, and many Cerridwen May 2015 #43
I just didn't get the comment. NCTraveler May 2015 #44
I consider it a balance against the constant r/w crap that gets Cerridwen May 2015 #45
HRC on Labor Unions KMOD May 2015 #8
thread party pooper lol nt msongs May 2015 #16
. KMOD May 2015 #18
Wow. Sounds kinda nice. Doesn't mean anything. salib May 2015 #19
So, what SPECIFICALLY does she propose to do about the S.S. funding gap? progree May 2015 #20
Privatization, maybe? She seems to be avoiding that third-rail. Not particularly courageous. NYC_SKP May 2015 #21
nope KMOD May 2015 #22
So what SPECIFICALLY is she proposing to do to close the funding gap? (please see #20) nt progree May 2015 #25
Reagan era tax rates? You mean BEFORE he cut the top bracket to 28% (I hope) nt progree May 2015 #23
Reagan top tax rates AND effective tax rates, highest ever: NYC_SKP May 2015 #29
sorry, was getting info for you. KMOD May 2015 #31
Good. So that's raising the cap, with a gap. Good. (Note the rhyme) progree May 2015 #32
I do like the rhyme. KMOD May 2015 #33
Eh... kenfrequed May 2015 #35
I agree. But this seems to be about as progressive as it gets, even Bernie Sanders is for the gap progree May 2015 #37
Well I disagree with him on this one. kenfrequed May 2015 #41
We'll soon (perhaps) get more clarity on Hillary's position on the retirement age and the cap progree May 2015 #48
Bernie Sanders is for the gap in this one from March 2015 progree May 2015 #39
Oops - looks like she walked away from raising the cap? progree May 2015 #47
Oh Crap! Hillary Clinton favored raising the retirement age??? NYC_SKP May 2015 #50
Do you mean "raising the maximum wage cap" in your title? progree May 2015 #51
"Clinton supported following the advice of a bipartisan commission that favored raising..." NYC_SKP May 2015 #54
I will have to look more into it, but my quick reaction is I don't disagree with your last sentence progree May 2015 #57
Well, except I don't agree with your "inference" about raising the retirement age progree May 2015 #60
This should be posted as an OP. If you don't want to, I'll do it. cali May 2015 #58
If you do be sure to include her "no new taxes" statement. NYC_SKP May 2015 #59
Go right ahead. I'm already overdue for getting ready for a trip progree May 2015 #61
more recent comments KMOD May 2015 #62
Lotta wiggle room in there... truebluegreen May 2015 #36
It would be nice if people could make their case for their candidate 6000eliot May 2015 #38
OP doesn't realize that unless he convinces people that Bernie would ... JoePhilly May 2015 #46
I would like to call attention to Hillary's stated views on Welfare daredtowork May 2015 #40
Good Catch. Thanks for that. She does in many ways seem to be running for Bill's third term: NYC_SKP May 2015 #55
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Hillary Clinton on Worker...»Reply #39