Republicans Tout Plans to Rescue Social Security During 3rd Debate

From means testing to ending foreign wars, Republican candidates presented plans to save Social Security.

(L–R) Former Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie, former Governor from South Carolina and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) attend the third Republican presidential primary debate at the Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Fla., on Nov. 8, 2023. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

The 2024 Republican presidential candidates touted their plans to preserve Social Security and prevent the retirement income program’s demise during the third GOP primary debate on Nov. 8 in Miami.

President Joe Biden and the Democrats have long accused the Republican Party of being on a crusade to gut the retirement scheme by cutting benefits. But many of the GOP contenders assert that changes need to be made to ensure that Social Security remains intact and current and future retirees maintain access to monthly checks.

Means Testing and Young People

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie proposed raising the retirement eligibility age for younger workers, pointing to his 30-year-old son. He rejected suggestions that the federal government needs to raise taxes.