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3. As you may know, the federal government has a budget SURPLUS this year, and choices will have to be made about what to do with this money. I'm going to read you a list of some ways the budget surplus could be used. As I read each one, please tell me if you think it should be one of the TOP priorities, important but not a TOP priority, not too important, or should not be done. (First,) what about...(READ EACH ITEM) Should this be one of the TOP priorities for using the budget surplus, important but not a TOP priority, not too important, OR should this not be done?

	Priority			Not Important			Don’t know
	NET	One of top	Important/Not top	NET	Not too impt.	Should not be done
a. Cutting taxes	76	43	34	23	14	9	1
b. Paying off the national debt more quickly	79	38	41	21	17	4	1
c. Increasing spending on domestic programs, such as health, education, and the environment	82	50	32	17	11	6	*
d. Increasing defense spending	58	16	41	41	26	15	1
e. Helping make the Social Security program financially sound	94	73	21	6	3	2	*
f. Helping make the Medicare program financially sound	90	57	33	10	7	3	*

4. (Of those who named more than one top priority) You mentioned (READ ITEMS RESPONDENT NAMED AS A TOP PRIORITY) as a top priority among ways to use the budget surplus. Which ONE of these would you say is the MOST IMPORTANT priority? 11 Cutting taxes 8 Paying off the national debt more quickly 24 Increasing spending on domestic programs, such as health, education, and the environment 4 Increasing defense spending 41 Helping make the Social Security program financially sound 12 Helping make the Medicare program financially sound 1 Don’t know 3/4 Combined: TOP Priority 12 Cutting taxes 9 Paying off the national debt more quickly 23 Increasing spending on domestic programs, such as health, education, and the environment 3 Increasing defense spending 37 Helping make the Social Security program financially sound 10 Helping make the Medicare program financially sound 6 None 6. How closely have you been following the debate about the future of Social Security? Very closely, fairly closely, not very closely or not at all closely?

	Closely			Not Closely			Don’t know
	NET	Very	Fairly	NET	Not very	Not at all
	65	20	46	34	24	10	*

7. Compared with 30 years ago, do you think the share of Americans over 65 who live in poverty has increased, decreased, or stayed about the same?

	Increased	Decreased	Stayed about the same	Don’t know
	52	18	24	6

8. Which of the following four statements about Social Security payroll taxes do you think is most accurate? (READ ITEMS) 19 Taxes collected from workers today are used to pay benefits for current retirees 18 Taxes paid by workers today are put into an account to pay for their OWN Social Security benefits when they retire 26 Some of the taxes collected from workers today are used to pay benefits for current retirees, and some are put aside for future retirees 33 Some of the taxes collected from workers today are used to pay benefits for current retirees, and some are used to fund other government programs 4 Don’t know

10A. (Asked of half sample) Do you think most people when they retire get back from Social Security more than they paid into the program, less than they paid in, or about what they paid into the program?

More	Less	About what they paid	Don’t know
22	53	22	3

 

10B. (Asked of half sample) Do you think most lower-income people when they retire get back from Social Security more than they paid into the program, less than they paid in, or about what they paid into the program? More Less About what they paid Don’t know 30 41 26 4

 

11. Which of the following do you think best describes the surplus money in the Social Security trust fund? (READ ITEMS) The money is kept by the government as cash in the bank The money is invested in government treasury bonds The money is invested in the stock market Don’t know 30 50 12 8

 

12. Which of the following dollar amounts do you think is about the average annual benefit currently being paid to a retired worker by Social Security? (READ ITEMS)   Less than $10,000 a year $10,000 but less than $20,000 a year $20,000 but less than $30,000 a year $30,000 a year or more Don’t know 35 48 9 4 3

13. Let me read you some things people might say about the Social Security system, and for each one please tell me whether you think it is true or false. a. Social Security benefits provide most of the retirement income for the majority of retirees. True False Don’t know 59 40 1 b. The federal government has used the Social Security trust fund for other purposes. True False Don’t know 82 14 3

 

15A. In the next century, will the Social Security retirement age for full benefits remain at 65, or has Congress changed the age at which people will be able to receive full Social Security benefits? 36 Age will remain at 65 56 Congress has changed the age 8 Don’t know   15B. (Of those who think Congress has changed the retirement age) Did Congress raise or lower the retirement age for full benefits? 83 Raise 11 Lower 6 Don’t know

16. Which of the following descriptions comes closer to your view of what Social Security should look like in the future (READ ITEMS)? 52 A program in which people receive money based on how much each individual has paid into the program and how much that payment has earned 45 A program to assure that elderly people have a minimum income during retirement, regardless of how much they paid in and what that payment has earned 1 Both 1 Don’t know

 

17A. (Asked of half sample) Which of the following four statements comes closest to your own view of the Social Security program today? The program is in crisis The program has major problems, but is not in crisis The program has minor problems The program has no problems Don’t know 30 52 14 2 1

 

17B. (Asked of half sample) Please tell me which ONE of the following two statements about Social Security comes CLOSER to your own view. Would you say...(READ ITEMS)? 23 Social Security is basically working well as is, and Congress should continue to make only gradual adjustments to preserve the program for future generations. xx 75 We need to make major changes to Social Security soon, to keep the program from running out of money when the baby boom generation retires. xx 2 Don’t know

18. Suppose Congress doesn't take any action--do you think the Social Security program is likely to go bankrupt? Likely Not likely Don’t know 76 22 2

 

19. Do you think the Social Security program will go bankrupt within the next 10 years, or will it go bankrupt further in the future? Within the next 10 years Further in the future Don’t know 31 67 2

 

20. A number of reasons have been suggested for why the Social Security program faces financial difficulties. For each of the following, please tell me if you think it is a major reason, a minor reason, or not a reason why the Social Security program faces financial difficulties (READ ITEMS). a. More people are going on Social Security and there will be fewer workers to pay Social Security taxes to support them Major reason Minor reason Not a reason Social Security isn't facing financial difficulties (vol.) Don’t know 58 28 12 * 1 b. People on Social Security are living longer so they cost the program more money. Major reason Minor reason Not a reason Social Security isn't facing financial difficulties (vol.) Don’t know 53 33 13 * 1 c. Fraud and abuse by people who aren't entitled to benefits. Major reason Minor reason Not a reason Social Security isn't facing financial difficulties (vol.) Don’t know 54 35 10 * 1 d. Money in the Social Security trust fund is being spent on programs other than Social Security. Major reason Minor reason Not a reason Social Security isn't facing financial difficulties (vol.) Don’t know 65 23 9 * 3 e. Money in the Social Security trust fund is not being invested wisely. Major reason Minor reason Not a reason Social Security isn't facing financial difficulties (vol.) Don’t know 62 27 8 * 3

 

21. I am going to read you a list of some ways that have been suggested to deal with the future financial problems of Social Security. For each one, please tell me if you would favor or oppose such a proposal. How about...(READ ITEMS)? Do you (favor/oppose) this proposal STRONGLY, or not strongly? a. Increasing the amount employers and employees pay in taxes to Social Security Favor Oppose Don’t know NET Strongly Not strongly NET Not strongly Strongly 37 21 17 61 20 41 1 b. Eliminating the current Social Security payroll tax cut-off that exempts income over $68,400 a year from being taxed for Social Security Favor Oppose Don’t know NET Strongly Not strongly NET Not strongly Strongly 45 30 15 51 15 35 4 c(a). (Asked of half sample) Reducing Social Security benefits for seniors whose income is more than $40,000 a year Favor Oppose Don’t know NET Strongly Not strongly NET Not strongly Strongly 57 38 18 42 15 27 1   c(b). (Asked of half sample)Reducing Social Security benefits Favor Oppose Don’t know NET Strongly Not strongly NET Not strongly Strongly 10 5 5 90 17 73 1 d. Limiting cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits Favor Oppose Don’t know NET Strongly Not strongly NET Not strongly Strongly 39 24 16 59 20 39 1   e(a). (Asked of half sample) Raising the amount of taxes higher-income retirees pay on their Social Security benefits Favor Oppose Don’t know NET Strongly Not strongly NET Not strongly Strongly 35 21 14 63 23 40 2   e(b). (Asked of half sample)Increasing taxes on Social Security benefits for those earning more than $75,000 Favor Oppose Don’t know NET Strongly Not strongly NET Not strongly Strongly 64 49 15 36 11 24 1 f. People having individual accounts and making their own investments with a portion of their Social Security payments Favor Oppose Don’t know NET Strongly Not strongly NET Not strongly Strongly 65 42 23 33 14 19 3 g. Allowing workers to take all of their Social Security taxes out of the Social Security system and invest them on their own Favor Oppose Don’t know NET Strongly Not strongly NET Not strongly Strongly 42 30 12 57 14 43 1 h. Gradually raising the retirement age for Social Security to age 70 over the next 20 years Support Oppose Don’t know NET Strongly Not strongly NET Not strongly Strongly 31 17 14 67 15 52 2

 

22A. (Asked of half sample of respondents who oppose raising retirement age for Social Security) I'm going to read you a list of reasons people sometimes give for why they oppose raising the retirement age for Social Security. For each one, please tell me if it is a major reason, a minor reason, or not a reason at all why you oppose raising the retirement age Major reason Minor reason Not a reason Don’t know Aa. Your job is too hard or physically demanding for you to keep working that long. 55 30 15 * Ab. You want to spend more of your life enjoying things other than work. 66 24 10 * Ac. You're too sick to keep working that long. 58 23 18 * Ad. You don't think you can hold onto your job that long or find another job. 55 27 17 * Ae. It wouldn't be fair, because people were promised that they could retire at 65. 62 25 13 * 23A. (Of those who named more than 1 major reason in Q.22a)You mentioned (READ ITEMS RESPONDENT NAMED AS MAJOR REASONS) as major reasons. Which ONE of these would you say is the MOST IMPORTANT REASON you oppose raising the retirement age? 20 Your job is too hard or physically demanding for you to keep working that long. 25 You want to spend more of your life enjoying things other than work. 19 You're too sick to keep working that long. 12 You don't think you can hold onto your job that long or find another job. 23 It wouldn't be fair, because people were promised that they could retire at 65. 2 Don’t know   22A/23A Combined table: Most important reason 17 Your job is too hard or physically demanding for you to keep working that long. 26 You want to spend more of your life enjoying things other than work. 18 You're too sick to keep working that long. 12 You don't think you can hold onto your job that long or find another job. 21 It wouldn't be fair, because people were promised that they could retire at 65. 5 None   22B. (Asked of half sample of respondents who oppose raising retirement age for Social Security) I'm going to read you a list of reasons people sometimes give for why they oppose raising the retirement age for Social Security. For each one, please tell me if it is a major reason, a minor reason, or not a reason at all why you oppose raising the retirement age. Major reason Minor reason Not a reason Don’t know Ba. For many people, their jobs are too hard or physically demanding for them to keep working that long. 70 23 7 * Bb. People want to spend more of their lives enjoying things other than work. 59 29 12 * Bc. Many people are too sick to keep working that long. 65 26 9 * Bd. Many people won't be able to hold onto their jobs that long or find another job. 70 22 7 1 Be. It wouldn't be fair, because people were promised that they could retire at 65. 60 28 11 1   23B. (Of those who named more than 1 major reason in Q.22b) You mentioned (READ ITEMS RESPONDENT NAMED AS MAJOR REASONS) as major reasons. Which ONE of these would you say is the MOST IMPORTANT REASON you oppose raising the retirement age? 24 For many people, their jobs are too hard or physically demanding for them to keep working that long. 19 People want to spend more of their lives enjoying things other than work. 18 Many people are too sick to keep working that long. 19 Many people won't be able to hold onto their jobs that long or find another job. 21 It wouldn't be fair, because people were promised that they could retire at 65. - Don’t know 22b/23b Combined table: Most important reason 23 For many people, their jobs are too hard or physically demanding for them to keep working that long. 18 People want to spend more of their lives enjoying things other than work. 17 Many people are too sick to keep working that long. 18 Many people won't be able to hold onto their jobs that long or find another job. 22 It wouldn't be fair, because people were promised that they could retire at 65. 2 None   24a. Some recent studies have suggested that the government has been over-estimating the rise in the cost of living for retirees. Do you think future cost-of-living increases in Social Security payments should be based on a lower estimate of the increase in the cost of living, or do you think the current, higher estimates should be kept? 21 Should be based on a lower estimate 74 The current/higher estimates should be kept 5 Don’t know   24b. As a way of dealing with the future financial problems of Social Security, do you favor or oppose having the government invest in the private stock market a portion of Social Security reserve funds, which are currently invested in government bonds? (GET ANSWER, THEN ASK:) Do you (favor/oppose) this proposal STRONGLY, or not strongly? Favor Oppose Don’t know NET Strongly Not strongly NET Not strongly Strongly 38 20 18 61 14 47 2   25. (Of those who oppose having the government invest a portion of Social Security reserve funds in stock market) Which of the following is the main reason why you oppose having the government invest a portion of Social Security funds in the private stock market? Is it mainly... (READ EACH ITEM)? 12 Because people in government are not capable of making the right investments 21 Because it gives the government too much control of the economy 19 Because the government's decisions would be too political 33 Because the stock market isn't a place where Social Security funds should be invested 11 All (vol.) 2 None/Other (vol.) 1 Don’t know   26. Some people have suggested that the federal government set up an independent commission to decide how to invest a portion of Social Security funds in the stock market. If such a commission were formed... (READ ITEMS) 25 Do you think the commission would remain independent and try to make the best investments for retirees, or 71 Do you think the investment decisions by the commission would increasingly be made for political reasons rather than in the best interests of retirees? 4 Don’t know   27. Some people have suggested that workers should have the option of taking some of their Social Security taxes and putting them in investments such as the stock market. People who did this would get more money when they retired if these investments did well, but less money if those investments did poorly. Do you think the government should or should not allow Americans to invest a portion of their Social Security taxes in investments such as the stock market? (GET ANSWER, THEN ASK:) Do you (favor/oppose) this proposal STRONGLY, or not strongly? Should Should not Don’t know NET Favor strongly Do not favor strongly NET Do not oppose strongly Oppose strongly 57 39 18 41 11 31 2   28. (Of those who oppose allowing Americans to invest a portion of their Social Security benefits) Do you oppose such a proposal...(READ ITEMS)? 52 Mainly because you think it is too risky, or 38 Mainly because you think it will destroy the Social Security system and people who depend on it won't have enough when they retire, 2 Neither/other (vol.) 8 Both (vol.) 1 Don’t know   29A. (Asked of half sample) How confident are you that you would make the right decisions if you were investing your future Social Security funds in the stock market? Would you feel very confident, somewhat confident, not very confident, or not at all confident? Confident Not confident Don’t know NET Very Some what NET Not very Not at all 56 24 32 44 20 24 -   29B. (Asked of half sample) How competent do you think most people would be at investing their future Social Security funds in the stock market? Do you think they would be very competent, somewhat competent, not very competent, or not at all competent? Competent Not competent Don’t know NET Very Some what NET Not very Not at all 47 7 39 52 34 18 2   30. (Asked of half sample) Do you think you and your family would be better off or worse off if people were allowed to invest a portion of their Social Security payments in the stock market, or wouldn't it make much difference? 33 Better off 22 Worse off 43 Wouldn't make much difference 2 Don’t know   31. (Asked of half sample) If people were allowed to invest a portion of their own Social Security payments in the stock market, do you think most people would have more, less, or about the same amount of money when they retire than they would if the system stayed the way it is now? 39 More 29 Less 26 About the same amount 6 Don’t know   32. Thinking about all of your investments, including retirement savings plans at work, do you currently have money invested in stocks or mutual funds? Yes No Don’t know 55 45 * 33a. (Of those who have money invested in stocks or mutual funds) Do you and your family have any control over where your money is invested, or not? 87 Yes 12 No 1 Don’t know   33b. (Of those who currently have money invested in stocks/mutual funds and have control over where money is invested) Are you the person primarily responsible for making your or your family's investment decisions, or not? 70 Yes 15 No 15 Jointly (vol.) * Don’t know     35. Do you think (the Republican Party) or (the Democratic Party) (ROTATE) is better able to make the Social Security program financially sound in the future? 27 The Republican Party 39 The Democratic Party 3 Both (vol.) 20 Neither (vol.) 11 Don’t know   36. In general, do you think most members of Congress are SERIOUS about reforming Social Security, or are just using this issue to try to gain political advantage? 27 Most are serious 70 Just using the issue for political advantage 3 Don’t know   38. We have been talking about proposals people have made to change the Social Security system. I'm going to recap some of those proposals now. After I read the entire list, please tell me if there is anything on the list that you feel so strongly about that you would vote against your representative in Congress if he/she voted in favor of it (READ ALL ITEMS). Is there anything on this list that you feel so strongly about that you would vote against your representative in Congress if he/she voted in favor of it ? (IF YES: ACCEPT UP TO 8 RESPONSES) 33 Allowing the government to invest some Social Security tax funds in the stock market 20 Allowing individuals to invest a portion of their Social Security payments in the stock market 41 Raising the retirement age 47 Reducing the amount of benefits to retirees 37 Raising payroll taxes for employers and employees 25 Raising taxes on benefits to higher-income retirees 28 Limiting cost-of-living increases in benefits 33 Or, they didn’t do anything to change the system 13 No, None of these would make a difference (vol.) 1 Don’t know 39. Do you think the Social Security system is fair or not fair to people your age? Fair Not fair Don’t know 57 37 5   40. Which of the following statements comes closer to your own view (READ EACH ITEM)? 34 Current retirees are receiving more than the Social Security system can afford to pay and so there will be much less left in benefits for coming generations. 61 We can afford to give these benefits for current retirees without reducing benefits for coming generations. 5 Don’t know   41. How much income per year do you think an average retired person needs today in order to live comfortably? (READ ITEMS) Less than $10,000 a year $10,000 but less than $20,000 a year $20,000 but less than $30,000 a year $30,000 but less than $40,000 a year $40,000 a year or more Don’t know 1 24 42 18 12 3   42. Do you think Social Security payments alone provide retired people with... (READ ITEMS) More than enough to live comfortably Just about enough to live comfortably Not enough to live comfortably, but not so little as to make living a struggle Small enough that the average retired person needs to struggle to get by Don’t know 1 16 47 34 1   43. First, are you currently retired? 21 Yes 79 No 1 Have never worked (vol.) * Don’t know   44. (Of those who are not retired) At what age do you think you will retire? 16 Under 60 11 60 9 61-64 38 65 3 66-69 11 70+ 5 Never 7 Don’t know   44a. (Of those who are not retired) Thinking about your retirement, how concerned are you that each of the following things might happen to you? (READ EACH ITEM) Are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?     Concerned Not concerned Don’t know NET Very Somewhat NET Not too much Not at all a. That you won't have enough money to live comfortably 67 37 30 33 17 16 * b. That you will become a financial burden for your family 44 25 19 56 26 30 * c. That you will have large medical bills and not be able to pay for care you need 68 40 28 32 17 15 * d. That you will end up living alone 41 18 23 59 23 36 * e. That you won't have enough to do 29 14 15 71 21 50 * f. That you will lose your independence 51 25 26 49 21 28 *   44b. (Of those who are retired) Thinking about the rest of your retirement, how concerned are you that each of the following things might happen to you? (READ EACH ITEM) Are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?   Concerned Not concerned Don’t know NET Very Some what NET Not too Not at all a. That you won't have enough money to live comfortably 54 25 29 46 24 22 1 b. That you will become a financial burden for your family 43 23 20 56 21 35 1 c. That you will have large medical bills and not be able to pay for care you need 57 33 24 42 20 22 1 d. That you will end up living alone 41 23 18 58 23 35 1 e. That you won't have enough to do 34 19 16 63 18 45 3 f. That you will lose your independence 56 30 26 43 19 24 2   45. Are you currently receiving any Social Security benefits? 21 Yes 79 No * Don’t know   46. Do you have any immediate family or close friends receiving Social Security benefits? 69 Yes 31 No * Don’t know   46A.(Of those who are not retired) Do you currently have a pension plan from work, a 401-K plan, an IRA or Individual Retirement Account, or similar plan, that you participate in, or not? 61 Yes 39 No * Don’t know   47. (Of those who are not retired) Looking ahead to your own retirement, which of the following do you expect to be your biggest source of income? (READ EACH ITEM) Social Security An employer-paid pension plan Your own personal retirement savings, including things like 401(k) plans Don’t know   21 15 63 1 49. (Of those who are not retired)Looking ahead to when you retire, do you think you will receive more or less in Social Security benefits than you paid into the system, or will you receive about what you paid in? 8 More 62 Less 28 About what you paid in 2 Don’t know   50. (Of those who are retired) Thinking about your own retirement years, past and future, do you think you will receive more or less in Social Security benefits than you paid into the system, or will you receive about what you paid in? 35 More 19 Less 39 About what you paid in 7 Don’t know   51. (Of those who are not retired) Have you begun to save money for your retirement, or not? 68 Yes 32 No * Don’t know   52. (Of those who are not retired and have started saving for retirement) How much money did you set aside for retirement LAST YEAR? Please include any personal savings that you saved or invested for retirement purposes, including any employer-sponsored savings plans such as 401k or Keough plans? 12 Less than $1000 11 $1000 but less than $2000 16 $2000 but less than $3000 9 $3000 but less than $4000 8 $4000 but less than $5000 7 $5000 but less than $6000 3 $6000 but less than $7000 3 $7000 but less than $8000 1 $8000 but less than $9000 4 $9000 but less than $10,000 10 $10,000 but less than $20,000 8 $20,000 or more 8 Don’t know   53. (Of those who are not retired and have not started saving for retirement) What is the main reason you haven't started saving money for your retirement yet? Is it mainly...(READ ITEMS)? 23 Because you haven't started thinking yet about retirement saving 54 Because you don't have enough money to save 10 Because you don't have a retirement savings plan available to you through work 2 Because you'll have enough money from Social Security and Medicare 1 Because you don't think you'll need the money 4 Because you would rather spend the money on something else 5 Other/None (vol.) 1 Don’t know   54. (Of those who are not retired and have started saving for retirement) Do you think the amount of money you have been saving, combined with what you'll receive from Social Security and other types of income, will be adequate to provide a comfortable living when you retire, or not? Adequate Not adequate Don’t know 70 27 3   55. (Of those who are not retired and have started saving for retirement but do not think it will be adequate) What is the main reason the amount of money you have been saving will not be adequate? Is it mainly...(READ ITEMS) 50 Because you don't have enough money to save more 31 Because you started to save too late 8 Because rules in the retirement plan you now have won't allow you to put any more money in it 5 Because you would rather spend the money on something else 4 Other/none (vol.) 1 Don’t know   55A. (Of those who are not retired) Looking ahead to when you are eligible for Social Security, which do you think is MOST likely … (READ ITEMS) 19 You will get MOST of the Social Security benefits that are currently provided 66 You will get SOME benefits, but not all that are currently provided 14 You will get NONE of the Social Security benefits that are currently provided 1 Don’t know   D06. There are many activities a person could do to influence a government decision about the future of Social Security. During the past year, have you personally done any of the following things? (READ EACH ITEM)   Yes No Don’t know a. Contributed money to a political candidate 14 86 * b. Contributed money to an organization whose goal is to influence government decisions about the future of Social Security 12 88 * c. Contacted your representative or another public official 19 81 * d. Participated in a forum or town meeting about the future of Social Security 6 94 * e. Voted for or against a candidate based on that person’s position on Social Security 18 80 2