September 15, 2011 11:52 AM

Obama won't call for Social Security cuts in deficit speech

By
Bill Plante
Topics
Economy ,
White House

President Obama addresses a Joint Session of Congress

President Obama addresses a Joint Session of Congress, Sept. 8, 2011.

(Credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Though he floated the idea a few months ago of changing the way Social Security benefits are calculated, President Obama will not call for any changes in the retirement program when he makes his recommendations for deficit reduction next week.

White House press spokesperson Amy Brundage says that the president "does not believe that Social Security is a driver of our near and medium term deficits," and that he's asking both parties to work together to strengthen the system.

In his discussions with House Speaker John Boehner this past summer about raising the debt ceiling, one of the possibilities the president discussed was changing the formula by which Social Security payments are increased for inflation. Using what's called the Chained Consumer Price Index rather than the standard CPI would result in slightly lower increases for inflation because the Chained CPI assumes that if prices rise, consumers will buy cheaper products.

That the president even entertained the idea changes to Social Security upset many Democrats. Now the Social Security program has become an issue in the campaign for the Republican presidential nomination - and the White House appears to want to avoid getting into the argument.

White House officials won't say whether Mr. Obama's deficit-cutting recommendations to the congressional "super committee" might include cuts in Medicare. He will unveil them in a speech next Monday.

CBSNews.com special report: America's debt battle


Add a Comment See all 13 Comments
by PoppiPanama September 24, 2011 6:44 AM EDT
To further what these politicians have banned together and cted under color of state state law and acting on their personal whims have banned together to render injustices to every American would benefit from change! Sure has been change! Social security beneficiaries and cola changed for the first time since its enactment! Wow! that's change we really do not need! Well didn't need. Endorsing trillions of dollars to be dispensed abroad certainly is an apparent systematical change that has not changed and was in tact when he took the oath! Now why punish Americans that are elderly and disabled? Why? Because OBAMANOCARES! Bottom line. This administration can't even keep jobs to worthy americans willing to work by the sweat of their brow! It is going to take divine intervention to touch the hearts and minds of the politicians to deter the injustices rendered to the elderly and disabled in this country! Bottom line the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer! This administration has been pointing the finger at the Bush administration since it took center stage! That was not the problem! the problem is OBAMANOCARES!
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by DebNBatonRouge September 16, 2011 8:42 PM EDT
In 2008
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by Rwitt9832--2008 September 15, 2011 9:42 PM EDT
Oboma must be the most clueless person in america, there is several loop holes in SS Policies. Did you know the there is additional ss for each kids in college. When I was at school, I had friends that said they could not graduate, until the age over 26, because of this. I graduated at 21. SS benifits for paying for college end at 26. That is not what ss is for.
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by wfw3536 September 15, 2011 6:50 PM EDT
If any senior believes that Obama will not throw them under the bus, they are in for a surprise. Obamacare already will take 500 billion out of medicare, and you can bet he will be taking more out of Medicare and Medicaid.
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by slatep September 15, 2011 4:12 PM EDT
Assuming Obama meant what he said while campaigning for the Presidency is responsible in large measure for the God-awful mess this country is today.

BULLETIN: When it comes to politicians and government agencies; NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING.

Always get it in writing.!!
Reply to this comment
by DebNBatonRouge September 16, 2011 8:41 PM EDT
That is a lie. He inherited the mess the country is in. Pres. Bush left this for Obama or any other President that was sworn in 2998.
by sngore September 15, 2011 2:42 PM EDT
And so the issue gets left to the next president and the debt just keeps growing and growing...
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by alwayskickedoff September 15, 2011 2:07 PM EDT
Of course not!

Social security, is not a entitlement program, we pay taxes for it.

Of course hes gonna leave it alone, he has to by law.

So why is this news??

More smoke and mirrors
Reply to this comment
by retm-w September 15, 2011 7:10 PM EDT
Tell your buddy mortar it's not an entitlement program, along with all the politicians that call it that.
by Alex_Votocracy September 15, 2011 1:27 PM EDT
Bring your opinions to an open political platform that encourages interaction and includes polls, discussion, and election support: http://******/oqjK36
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by mikevetman September 15, 2011 1:01 PM EDT
Not sure anybody is at the moment. It does have to be changed at some point unless Obama has his own pringing press, which he thinks he does. Maybe he was never good at math,, or listening or hundress of other thngs a president should be capable of doing.
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by vsmit September 15, 2011 12:55 PM EDT
What democrats conveniently forget is that this wonderful SS "trust fund" doesn't exist. In order for SS to get the money back, which was spent as general revenue by the dems, the federal budget must run a SURPLUS.

Fat chance on that ever happening. This year the Obama deficit is $1.5T.

We will continue to have a jar with an SS IOU in it and Obama will continue to imitate Mr. Magoo.
Reply to this comment
by AOCGUY September 15, 2011 1:08 PM EDT
I guess I missed it when we changed our constitution to allow the executive branch to vote on spending bills. Deficits and (if we ever have one) surpluses belong to the Congress not the President.
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