Biden, Trump spar over Social Security, Medicare in presidential debate

The future of Social Security and Medicare may be greatly impacted by whoever occupies the White House following the November election.

When asked during Thursday night’s presidential debate who is the biggest risk to those programs, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump pointed to each other.

Biden said Trump wants to “get rid of” Social Security and cut Medicare.

Trump said Biden is “destroying” those programs.

Social Security provides monthly income to more than 72 million beneficiaries, including retired and disabled workers and families. Medicare provides health coverage to more than 65 million Americans age 65 and over.  

With more than 11,000 Americans now turning 65 every day, according to estimates from the Retirement Income Institute at the Alliance for Lifetime Income, more retirees are relying on support from both programs.

When voters age 50 and up were asked how important Social Security is to their vote this November, 80% said it is extremely important or very important, a recent AARP survey found.

While those voters want a candidate who will protect the program, their support is still up for grabs, according to the results.

Both Biden and Trump moved to win those voters on Thursday. Here’s what they said.

When Biden was asked how he would keep Social Security solvent, he reiterated promises he made during the State of the Union to make the wealthy pay more toward the program.

Social Security’s trust funds face a looming depletion date. The program’s trustees project Social Security’s combined funds may run out in 2035, at which point 83% of benefits will be payable, unless Congress acts sooner.

Social Security relies on payroll taxes. Currently, that includes 6.2% of a worker’s pay — which is matched by employers — on up to $168,600 in 2024 earnings.

Biden is proposing that those payroll taxes are also applied to earnings over $400,000. Similar Democratic proposals also call for additional taxes on investment income.

“I would not raise the cost of Social Security for anybody under $400,000,” Biden said on the debate stage on Thursday. “After that, I begin to make the wealthy begin to pay their fair share.”

While the…