Stephen Dubner

Is that because when Social Security benefits first began being distributed, there was nothing in the bank because the beneficiaries of those distributions hadn't contributed via tax?

Is that because when Social Security benefits first began being distributed, there was nothing in the bank because the beneficiaries of those distributions hadn't contributed via tax?

Is that because when Social Security benefits first began being distributed, there was nothing in the bank because the beneficiaries of those distributions hadn't contributed via tax?

So do you have any ideas to deal with that problem? And let's keep in mind what happened in France when Emmanuel Macron died. required that people work a little bit longer before they draw their retirement savings, and that produced a political catastrophe. What do you see as viable ways to address that problem?

So do you have any ideas to deal with that problem? And let's keep in mind what happened in France when Emmanuel Macron died. required that people work a little bit longer before they draw their retirement savings, and that produced a political catastrophe. What do you see as viable ways to address that problem?

So do you have any ideas to deal with that problem? And let's keep in mind what happened in France when Emmanuel Macron died. required that people work a little bit longer before they draw their retirement savings, and that produced a political catastrophe. What do you see as viable ways to address that problem?

Why are lower benefits for high earners not already either on the table or standard? That's a good question.

Why are lower benefits for high earners not already either on the table or standard? That's a good question.

Why are lower benefits for high earners not already either on the table or standard? That's a good question.

What you're talking about is a form of means testing, correct? Absolutely. Means testing as a concept seems to have become a bit of a third rail in Washington. Am I wrong on that?

What you're talking about is a form of means testing, correct? Absolutely. Means testing as a concept seems to have become a bit of a third rail in Washington. Am I wrong on that?

What you're talking about is a form of means testing, correct? Absolutely. Means testing as a concept seems to have become a bit of a third rail in Washington. Am I wrong on that?

So why do you think that kind of reform gained zero traction, as far as I'm aware, at least during the Biden administration, other than the obvious fact that it would be electoral suicide?

So why do you think that kind of reform gained zero traction, as far as I'm aware, at least during the Biden administration, other than the obvious fact that it would be electoral suicide?

So why do you think that kind of reform gained zero traction, as far as I'm aware, at least during the Biden administration, other than the obvious fact that it would be electoral suicide?

What do you think would have happened if Joe Biden in the last year of his term, let's say before he dropped out when there was still. a substantial amount of credibility, had made a commercial and looked in the camera and said, Look, the deficit has gotten crazy. Democrats have contributed. Republicans have contributed. It's been going on for many, many years.

What do you think would have happened if Joe Biden in the last year of his term, let's say before he dropped out when there was still. a substantial amount of credibility, had made a commercial and looked in the camera and said, Look, the deficit has gotten crazy. Democrats have contributed. Republicans have contributed. It's been going on for many, many years.

What do you think would have happened if Joe Biden in the last year of his term, let's say before he dropped out when there was still. a substantial amount of credibility, had made a commercial and looked in the camera and said, Look, the deficit has gotten crazy. Democrats have contributed. Republicans have contributed. It's been going on for many, many years.

No one seems to acknowledge it's a big problem. But those of us who know in D.C. on both sides realize it is a big problem. A huge part of that is Social Security benefits. And a huge part of the issue there is that many people who don't, quote, need those Social Security benefits If they drew less, we would go a long way toward solving this problem.

No one seems to acknowledge it's a big problem. But those of us who know in D.C. on both sides realize it is a big problem. A huge part of that is Social Security benefits. And a huge part of the issue there is that many people who don't, quote, need those Social Security benefits If they drew less, we would go a long way toward solving this problem.