Seniors concerned about presidential candidates’ plans for Social Security

Older female voters don’t think presidential candidates have laid out their plans for Social Security, according to a new survey.

AARP commissioned a survey of 1,500 likely female voters age 50 and older in potential battleground states for the upcoming 2016 general election. Only 34 percent of respondents reported hearing about Hillary Clinton’s plan for the Social Security Administration, and 20 percent hearing about Donald Trump’s plan.

Fifty-two percent of respondents reported Clinton would do a better job keeping Social Security strong compared to 34 percent who think Trump would do a better job.

“Older women care deeply about the economic security of their kids and grandkids,” says AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond in a press release. “The presidential candidates need to lead on Social Security and give voters real answers about how their plans would impact our families.”

Almost three-quarters of respondents say the next president and Congress will need to act immediately to update Social Security, which turned 81 Sunday. In addition, 53 percent say they would be impacted if the program is not updated by 2034, when up to a quarter of benefits could be cut for beneficiaries.

Lake Research Partners and American Viewpoint conducted the survey from August 1 through August 7, 2016, via landline and cellphone to women living in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.