On Friday, Frank Bisignano, the Social Security Administration Commissioner appointed by former President Donald Trump, faced significant backlash from progressive circles after suggesting that raising the retirement age for American workers is a viable option. During an interview on Fox Business with host Maria Bartiromo, Bisignano was asked if he would consider this measure to bolster the finances of Social Security. His response, which included the phrase, "I think everything's being considered," ignited a firestorm of criticism.
Bisignano emphasized that any decision to increase the retirement age would require congressional approval, acknowledging, "That will take a while," but added, "But we have plenty of time." His comments raised alarms among advocates for social welfare, particularly the organization Social Security Works, which quickly condemned his suggestion. The organization highlighted that this stance contradicts President Trump's previously stated commitment to protect Social Security during the ongoing 2024 election campaign.
In a pointed social media post, Social Security Works labeled Bisignano's remarks a "betrayal" of Trump's promise, asserting that raising the retirement age by just one year would equate to a 7% reduction in Social Security benefits. They argued that forcing Americans to work longer for reduced benefits and a shorter retirement is "unconscionable."
Former Biden White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates also weighed in, reminding the public of Trump's declaration in 2024: "I will not cut one penny from Social Security or Medicaid and I will not raise the retirement age by one day." This stark contradiction adds to the unease surrounding Bisignano's comments and the potential impact on American workers.
Adding to the debate, former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich criticized Bisignano's suggestion and proposed a different approach to enhance the financial health of Social Security. Reich pointed out the disparity in contributions to Social Security between average workers and high-earning CEOs. He stated, "A worker making $50,000 a year contributes to Social Security on 100% of their income, while a CEO making $20 million a year contributes on less than 1% of their income." Reich advocated for scrapping the Social Security tax cap instead of raising the retirement age.
Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) further criticized Bisignano's remarks, noting that they come just months after Republicans passed substantial tax cuts through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which disproportionately benefited the wealthiest Americans. Markey argued, "Republicans gave away trillions in tax cuts for the wealthy. Now they are asking Americans to work longer. We won’t stand for it." His comments underscore the growing concerns regarding economic inequality and the impact of policy decisions on ordinary Americans.
The dialogue initiated by Frank Bisignano regarding the potential increase in the retirement age has sparked a significant backlash from progressives and advocates for Social Security. As the debate continues, it is clear that any changes to this critical program will be closely scrutinized, particularly in the context of fairness and the promises made by political leaders.
