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Latest Fact-Checks In Social Security

Clear
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
stated on August 14, 2010 his weekly address
"Some Republican leaders in Congress" are "pushing to make privatizing Social Security a key part of their legislative agenda if they win a majority in Congress this fall."
Mostly False
August 18, 2010
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Eddie Bernice Johnson
stated on August 10, 2010 a speech on the House floor.
"In 1935, more than 50% of the elderly population lived in poverty. Today that poverty rate stands officially at 9.4%."  
True
By Lukas Pleva • August 17, 2010
Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
stated on June 30, 2010 a Facebook posting
"We spend three times more on entitlements and debt services than we do on defense."
True
By Louis Jacobson • July 9, 2010
Ron Klein
Ron Klein
stated on June 28, 2010 a fundraising e-mail
"West has raised $2 million from those that would leave our beaches in ruins, end Social Security and Medicare, and give corporations free reign."
False
By Amy Sherman • July 1, 2010
Harry Reid
Harry Reid
stated on June 12, 2010 a campaign commercial
"Sharron Angle wants to wipe out Social Security."
Half-True
By Angie Drobnic Holan • June 24, 2010
Michele Bachmann
Michele Bachmann
stated on June 11, 2010
"Social Security, like I told you, is out of money. This year it is borrowing from the general treasury."  
False
June 24, 2010
Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan
stated on March 31, 2010 a speech to the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
In 2004, "20 percent of U.S. households were getting about 75 percent of their income from the federal government. ... Another 20 percent were receiving almost 40 percent."
Mostly False
By Catharine Richert • April 21, 2010
Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio
stated on March 28, 2010 a U.S. Senate primary debate on FOX News Sunday
"Just this week we received the news that for the first time Social Security is now paying out more in benefits than it's taking in. That was something that was supposed to happen in 2016."
True
By Catharine Richert • March 28, 2010
Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck
stated on February 16, 2010 comments on his television show
"When Social Security started, age expectancy for the average man was 58. It was 62 -- 62 for women."
True
By Alex Holt • March 8, 2010
Florida Democratic Party
Florida Democratic Party
stated on February 3, 2010 a press release
"Congressman McCollum voted to dismantle Social Security."
Pants on Fire!
By Amy Sherman • March 4, 2010
Americans United for Change
Americans United for Change
stated on February 18, 2010 a radio ad
"Congresswoman Bachmann actually said we should be 'weaned' off our Social Security and Medicare. She wants to privatize Social Security and replace Medicare with some kind of voucher system." 
Half-True
By Catharine Richert • February 25, 2010
Chain email
Chain email
stated on January 21, 2010 a chain e-mail
Members of Congress passed a pay raise for themselves of $10,000 over two years even as they voted not to raise Social Security benefits for 2010 and 2011.
Mostly False
By Louis Jacobson • January 22, 2010
Chain email
Chain email
stated on September 28, 2009 a chain e-mail
"For the first time in history, the Democratic Congress will not allow an increase in the social security COLA (cost of living adjustment)."
Pants on Fire!
September 28, 2009
Republican Party of Florida
Republican Party of Florida
stated on October 22, 2008 campaign direct mail
Barack Obama will "raise Social Security taxes."
Half-True
By Angie Drobnic Holan • October 23, 2008
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton
stated on August 26, 2008 Denver
"John McCain wants to privatize Social Security."
Mostly False
By Adriel Bettelheim • August 26, 2008
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
stated on June 13, 2008 Columbus, Ohio
"When he was asked a few years ago whether he could see himself lifting the cap on the payroll tax, (McCain) said, 'I could.' But today he's attacking me for holding the very same position."
True
By John Frank • June 26, 2008
Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
stated on June 13, 2008 a Web ad
John McCain says he never supported the privatization of Social Security, even though video shows he did.
Half-True
By Angie Drobnic Holan • June 13, 2008
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
stated on May 18, 2008 a speech in Gresham, Ore.
"Privatizing Social Security was a bad idea when George W. Bush proposed it. It's a bad idea today. Sen. McCain's campaign went even further ... suggesting ... to cut cost-of-living adjustments or to raise the retirement age."
Mostly False
By Adriel Bettelheim • May 22, 2008
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