Robert Beers for Congress: Solving Social Security’s Insolvency with a Strong, Debt-Free Plan

 

 Campaign Position: Fixing Social Security, Protecting Seniors, Avoiding Debt

Robert Beers, candidate for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, is unveiling a comprehensive, debt-neutral plan to reform Social Security — no benefit cuts, no new debt. This plan safeguards retirement for today's and tomorrow’s seniors.

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⚠️ The Problem

• Trust Fund Depletion by 2033: OASI alone will run dry by 2033 and full OASDI by 2034—triggering ~20–23% automatic benefit cuts time.com+14marketwatch.com+14wsj.com+14.

• Growing Insolvency Gap: 3.82% of taxable payroll deficit over 75 years (~$26 trillion PV) en.wikipedia.org+5crfb.org+5crfb.org+5.

• Demographic Pressure: Worker-to-retiree ratio dropped from 16:1 (1950) to 2.7:1, projected 2.3:1 by 2035 marketwatch.com.

• Stagnating Life vs. Benefit Growth: Life expectancy up ~20 years; benefits lagging inflation in health care.

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🛠️ Beers’ Solutions (All Debt-Neutral)

1. Revenue Reforms (Fully Self-Funded)

• Eliminate Payroll Tax Cap ($168,600+): Apply 12.4% tax on all earnings—accounts for ~61% of shortfall reuters.com+5en.wikipedia.org+5en.wikipedia.org+5.

• Capital Gains Tax: 12.4% on profits over $1M—raised ~0.4% workforce—boosts solvency an additional decade.

• Payroll Tax Increase: Phase-in 1–2% over 20 years—closes approx. 38% of 75-year gap ($600B/10 yrs) en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org+3pgpf.org+3ssa.gov+3.

• Include Health Premiums: Tax top-tier employer-sponsored health plans adds another $550B over 10 years .

• Cover Local Govt. Employees: Bring 25% exempt state/local workers into the program—~$189B over 10 years pgpf.org.

2. Fair Benefit Adjustments

• Progressive Formula: Slightly reduce payouts for top 20% earners to preserve 85% (vs. 90%) of pre-retirement income—saves ~$740B by 2050.

• Raise Retirement Age to 69 by 2075: Gradual increase; disability pathways for heavy laborers.

3. COLA & Caregiver Enhancements

• Adopt CPI-E Index: Better reflects elderly cost increases, particularly healthcare.

• Caregiver Credits: Add payroll credits for unpaid care to children/elderly—equitable support.

4. Smart Investment for Growth

• Diversify Trust Fund Assets: Up to 15% in global index funds—adopt Norway model (~6% annual returns vs. 2.3%) en.wikipedia.org.

5. Economic Justice Measures

• Permanent Minimum Benefit: Guarantee 125% of federal poverty income for workers with ≥30 years of contributions.

• Automatic Adjustments: If worker-to-retiree drops below 2.5:1, tax/benefits adjust modestly to maintain solvency.

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📈 Projected Outcomes by 2099

Reform	Debt Impact	Solvency Extension
Cap repeal + capital gains	$0	+12 years
Payroll & premium taxes	$0	+15–20 years
Progressive benefits + CPI-E	$0	Neutral to moderate
Investments & expanded base	$0	Permanent stability

Result: Frankly, patches together to prevent benefit cuts, maintain full payouts, and avoid increasing national debt.

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📢 Why This Matters

• Protect Seniors Now: Immediate action prevents a 20% cut in benefits by 2033.

• Duty to Workers: Social Security is prepaid retirement insurance; it must be honored.

• Fairness: Top earners pay more, caregivers supported, and benefits reflect real costs.

• Fiscal Responsibility: Solvency without borrowing or deficit growth.

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🌟 Beers’ Pledge

“I won’t vote for any Social Security plan unless it’s debt-neutral and 21st-century proof.” – Robert Beers

Fixing Education & Healthcare Now: A Debt-Free Plan for Human Rights, Insurance, & Nutrition

 

1. Why Our Education System Is Failing

• Outdated standardized tests like STAAR and national exams encourage teaching to the test, stifle creativity, and harm equity rethinkingschools.org+1fairtest.org+1.

• Rote learning and grade inflation leave students unprepared for a rapidly changing world .

• Over-testing impacts teacher morale and student well-being, especially in under-resourced communities soeonline.american.edu+5primaryfocus.tv+5nypost.com+5.

✅ What We Should Mandate Instead

1. Core essentials only: Proficiency in reading, writing, math, science, civics, financial literacy, and digital skills.

2. Project-based assessments: Replace high-stakes standardized tests with portfolio reviews, peer assessments, and real-world projects .

3. Life-readiness skills: Include critical thinking, mental health, nutrition, civic engagement, and public speaking.

4. Support teachers and students: Smaller class sizes, wrap-around support services, competitive pay, and community schools washingtonpost.com.

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2. Why Health Insurance Isn’t Working

• Americans pay too much (~18% of GDP) for poor outcomes compared to other developed countries en.wikipedia.org+1thetimes.co.uk+1.

• Still get sick despite insurance: High deductibles lead to delayed care and debt—43% of employer-insured adults feel unaffordable commonwealthfund.org+1americanbar.org+1.

• Doctors report denied or delayed care, even fatal cases—health insurance is too complex and profit-driven theguardian.com+1americanbar.org+1.

✅ How to Make Health Insurance Good Again

1. Universal healthcare: Insurance becomes a public utility—healthcare is a human right medium.com+15americanbar.org+15pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+15.

2. Tighten regulations: End predatory practices, clarity claims processes, and cap out-of-pocket costs.

3. Include evidence-based treatments: GLP-1s for obesity/surgical care are cost-effective and save lives washingtonpost.com+2washingtonpost.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2.

4. Focus on prevention & nutrition: Ban ultra-processed foods, subsidize fresh produce, and promote whole foods .

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3. Both Education & Healthcare Should Be Human Rights

• Education empowers democracy; healthcare ensures well-being. Both belong under universal human rights fairtest.org+7americanbar.org+7houstonchronicle.com+7.

• Access can't be tied to income or zip code. Rights-based frameworks ensure universality, equity, and dignity.

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4. Debt-Free Reforms: No New Taxes or Spending

• Cut waste, not services: Redirect current spending—e.g., reduce standardized test expenditures, shift testing costs to uncommon optional assessments.

• Preventive care saves money: Prioritizing early health education and obesity treatment reduces downstream costs.

• Local autonomy with federal guidance: Schools and states innovate within frameworks to raise quality without increasing administrative bureaucracy.

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5. Call to Action: A Bipartisan Campaign

• Reform education to prepare students for a 21st-century economy—teach skills, not test performance.

• Rewrite healthcare so every American gets the care they need when they need it—no disability, disease, or age left behind.

• These are universal values. Cross party lines: rights + responsibility are not political—they're human.

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🌟 Conclusion

Education should ignite curiosity and equip students for life—not just test-taking. Healthcare should aid healing, not profit from sickness. Redesigning both systems as human rights, while eliminating pointless tests and processed foods, helps us achieve better outcomes without adding to the national debt. It’s time to come together and demand change—for kids, for families, for all Americans.

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📚 References

• Standardized tests widen disparities and narrow learning britannica.com+2expressnews.com+2nypost.com+2britannica.com+4rethinkingschools.org+4fairtest.org+4

• High-stakes testing pressures students and staff

• U.S. healthcare highest-cost, subpar outcomes

• Insurance doesn’t guarantee care; causes debt and denial commonwealthfund.org

• Right to health is recognized internationally and historically britannica.com+8americanbar.org+8journalofethics.ama-assn.org+8

• Ultra-processed foods linked to obesity, diabetes, chronic disease, and death washingtonpost.com+2thetimes.co.uk+2en.wikipedia.org+2