October 15, 2026
Cast Your Vote For Social Security This Election Cycle
by UAW Region 8 Webmaster John Davis
On November 3, 2026, Americans will go to the polls to cast ballots for those who will lead this country in the House and Senate. While voters will cast ballots for individuals, it is Social Security that is on the ballot this fall.
Speaker of the House Republican Mike Johnson has stated on June 6, 2026 during an appearance on the Moon Griffon Show that “entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid "have to be adjusted and fixed," adding that Republicans "have a  plan to do that next year." Johnson’s plan is to cut benefits by 25% in 2032, the year the Social Security Trustees say the system will no longer collect enough revenue to cover the monthly benefits.
On August 14, 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. The law was aimed at reducing poverty among the elderly by making monthly payments to allow them to live during their retirement years. The system is based on the idea that all workers have payroll taxes deducted from their paycheck that are matched by their employer. With more people working that those drawing benefits, the system was self-sustaining. Over time there have been amendments added to the system to keep it viable. The Social Security Trust Fund was established to handle the surplus and funds and prepare for the time when the number of drawing benefits would require more funds than those paying into the system were supplying.
What Speaker Johnson wont tell you is the United States Government owes the Social Security Trust fund $2.56 trillion dollars. As the trust fund outpaced the required monthly benefit to all Social Security beneficiaries, the government could “borrow” the extra funds. In other words, some administrations have used the trust fund to cover their projects.
It is important to remember the government operates like your household does; it has income and expense. In 2025, Republicans in Congressed passed the “Big Beautiful Bill” that cut taxes by 2.6 trillion dollars. The bulk of these tax cuts went to the wealthiest Americans, benefitting the those in the top 10% of income. If you compare the numbers, the 2.6 trillion is essentially the money the government owes Social Security. To break it down, YOU will see a reduction of your Social Security check of 25% in 2032 and the money given to Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg.
There are many lies that are circulated about the shortfall of Social Security. Here are a few:
“Illegal immigrants are drawing your Social Security.” False. Only people who have a Social  Security number can draw Social Security benefits. Actually, undocumented workers PAY INTO Social Security but they can’t draw. The Social Security Administration admits the deportation of these workers has made the funding issue with Social Security worse. About 50% of undocumented workers are “on the books” for most employers. Last year, these workers paid in 26 billion dollars to Social Security.
“Social Security adds to the national deficit.” False. Payroll taxes for Social Security are pass through funds. This essentially means the government collects the taxes and the money goes into its own account. Benefits are also paid out of this account. Conservative groups claim Social Security adds to the deficit but actually any hit to the federal budget is repaying bonds the government owes Social Security.
If you are a retiree, Social Security should be the top issue that you vote on. Are you going to support candidates whose plan is to transfer the money that you have worked for and give it to billionaires, or a candidate that will make the government repay the money it OWES to  Social Security. Ask yourself if you can take a 25% cut in your Social Security, particularly with inflation spiraling out of control. Never mind the damage Medicare is going to see through cuts that are timed to take place after the midterms.
This year every person needs to think very carefully about your vote. The danger for the working class has never been greater. Cast your vote for Social Security and candidates that will protect it not transfer it to the wealthy. |
