Senate GOP Set for Social Security Push

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-GOP-Social-Security.html

Senate GOP Set for Social Security Push
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: February 16, 2005


Filed at 10:25 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans equipped their rank and file on Tuesday with campaign-style material on Social Security that touts President Bush's call for voluntary personal accounts for younger workers but omits mention of companion cuts in guaranteed future benefits.

``A perfect storm'' of longer life expectancy, lower fertility rates and aging baby boomers is sending Social Security toward insolvency, says a slide show designed for lawmakers to show their constituents during next week's congressional break. ``... Now is the time to fix Social Security for future generations.''

``All ideas are on the table,'' it says -- but it mentions only the president's proposal to allow workers younger than 55 to divert part of their payroll taxes into personal investment accounts. Republican congressional officials have said repeatedly in recent weeks that administration plans assume a cut in future benefits that are promised to individuals in the same age group.

The cut would be deeper for those who open a private account than for those who don't, according to these officials, who have spoken on condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting the White House.

The slide show is part of a collection of charts, graphs, talking points and videotape for Senate Republicans to use as they prepare for appearances in their home states next week. The White House and GOP leaders eagerly await such sessions, hoping they can help swing public opinion behind Bush's call for a comprehensive overhaul of the Depression-era program.
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