# Social Security becomes a Senate battleground

> Voters in five competitive Senate races say they'll back lawmakers with plans to fix Social Security before 2032 benefit cuts hit.
- Title: Social Security becomes a Senate battleground · Newsweek
- Summary: Voters in five competitive Senate races say they'll back lawmakers with plans to fix Social Security before 2032 benefit cuts hit. Social Security reform is…
- Keywords: social security, senate elections, 2024 midterms, georgia, michigan, north carolina, ohio, texas, benefit cuts, funding shortfall, voter priorities, Social
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/social-security-could-be-deciding-issue-key-senate-races-12448317
- Published: 2026-09-16T12:01:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: social security, senate elections, 2024 midterms, georgia, michigan, north carolina, ohio, texas, benefit cuts, funding shortfall, voter priorities
## Voters demand Social Security solutions
77% of voters in Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas say they'd back a lawmaker with a plan to prevent Social Security benefit cuts.

> The voters who will determine the balance of the U.S. Senate are calling on candidates to strengthen the future of Social Security.
## The 2032 crisis looms
Social Security trust funds will run dry by late 2032, forcing a 22% automatic benefit cut for 70 million Americans unless Congress acts.
## Real money at stake for retirees
A newly retired dual-earner couple could lose $16,900 yearly starting in 2033. Single-earner couples face about $12,700 annual losses.
## Voters are deeply concerned
81% of battleground voters worry about automatic benefit cuts, with 61% extremely concerned. 91% say lawmakers must act to prevent cuts.
## Candidates are staying silent
88% of voters say lawmakers haven't discussed Social Security reform plans enough. Only 9% think the issue is getting adequate attention.
## Michigan Democrat backs tax hike plan
Senator Elissa Slotkin co-sponsors the Social Security 2100 Act, which raises taxes on earnings above $400,000 and investment income for high earners.
## Republicans propose bipartisan process
Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas back the PROMISE Act, which requires an advisory board to develop a 50-year solvency plan.
## Ohio senators find common ground
Republican Bernie Moreno and Democrat Elizabeth Warren are working together to remove the earnings cap on payroll taxes to boost Social Security revenue.
## Waiting makes the problem worse
77% of voters agree that lawmakers who promise not to touch Social Security are making the problem worse by delaying necessary fixes.
## High costs make reform urgent
85% of voters say rising living costs make it more important to fix Social Security so seniors don't lose the benefits they depend on.
## Key takeaway

Social Security reform is now a top voting issue in key Senate races, with 77% of voters across battleground states prioritizing candidates with solutions.