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By

Rebecca Perron, AARP Research

Social Security retirement benefits keep over 16 million Americans age 65-plus out of poverty each year, and 40% rely on Social Security for at least half of their income.  The critical role

that Social Security plays in improving the financial security of older adults is recognized by Americans of all ages, regardless of political ideology or  gender. 

Key Findings

In this May 2023 survey, 96% of Americans age 18-plus identify Social Security as an important government program, including 71% who say it is one of the most important government programs.

  Moreover, 72% say Social Security is even more important now than it was before economic shocks like COVID-19 and periods of high inflation. 

Ultimately, Americans of all ages feel a sense of urgency around Social Security solvency — 9 in 10 agree that Congress must immediately work to find a solution and that Republicans and

Democrats must work together.  This includes about two-thirds who strongly agree (67% and 70%, respectively).

Methodology

Interviews were conducted from April 27–May 1, 2023 among 1,015 U.S. adults age 18-plus in the AmeriSpeak Omnibus. Funded and operated by NORC at the University of Chicago, AmeriSpeak is a

probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population age 18 or older. Interviews were conducted online and via phone. All data are weighted by age, sex,

education, race/ethnicity, and region.

For more information, contact Rebecca Perron of AARP Research at [email protected].  For media inquiries, contact AARP External Relations at [email protected]  

Perron, Rebecca. Social Security: Sentiment and Appetite for Legislative Activity. Washington, DC: AARP Research, June 2023. https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00705.001

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