What Could the Election Mean for Social Security and Medicare?
With the presidential election just days away, here's a look at Harris vs. Trump on Social Security and Medicare.
As the presidential election nears, Social Security and Medicare are at the forefront of many American's minds. Americans’ top priority for the President and Congress is to address Social Security’s funding shortfalls to help people have a financially secure retirement, according to a study from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies.
This makes sense, considering the Social Security trust fund is projected to become insolvent in 2035. Medicare's hospital insurance benefits are expected to run out of money in 2036.
More than 66 million people in the United States receive health care coverage through Medicare. As of June 30, 2024 (the most-recently available data), nearly nine out of ten people age 65 and older were receiving a Social Security benefit. Social Security benefits represent about 30% of the income of people over age 65.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Here's what the upcoming election could mean for both Social Security and Medicare.
Harris on Social Security and Medicare
Harris strongly supports Social Security and opposes any plan that would reduce or cut Social Security benefits. In August, she wrote on Facebook that if elected President, she would work to “protect and expand” Social Security benefits, claiming they’ve “made the difference between poverty or peace of mind for millions of seniors, people with disabilities, and other beneficiaries.”
According to the official policy proposal, Vice President Harris is committed to strengthening and protecting Social Security and Medicare. For one, she plans on making corporations and the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share in taxes to keep Social Security and Medicare solvent in the long run.
Additionally, Harris will expand savings on prescription drugs for all Americans by President by extending Medicare’s $35 monthly cap on insulin and the $2,000 annual cap on prescription drugs, initially implemented by the Inflation Reduction Act, to all Americans, as well as accelerate Medicare drug price negotiations to cover more drugs and lower prices faster.
The Harris-Walz Administration will also build on the Butch Lewis Act and protect millions of union pensions.
Read our article, Harris' Stances on Social Security and Medicare, to learn more.
Trump on Social Security and Medicare
According to Trump’s campaign platform, the administration says it will “fight for and protect Social Security and Medicare with no cuts, including no changes to the retirement age.” Trump has also proposed cutting taxes on Social Security, but that could potentially cause more harm than good. Entirely exempting taxes on Social Security benefits could drive the program into insolvency even faster, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
While in office, Trump made no significant progress in remedying Social Security and Medicare's funding issues. Each of his yearly federal budgets proposed cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, primarily in reduced payments to healthcare providers and hospitals.
Additionally, in October 2019, then-President Trump published the Executive Order on Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation’s Seniors, which included an overhaul of the Medicare for All program.
Read our article, Trump's Stances on Social Security and Medicare, to learn more.
Impact of the election on Social Security and Medicare
Significant Medicare and Social Security changes are “unlikely without strong congressional support,” said Mark Friedlich (VP, US Government Affairs, Tax & Accounting North America at Wolters Kluwer).
“If Harris wins, expanding Social Security and Medicare benefits is possible but would likely face opposition in a divided Congress,” he said. “Significant cuts to Social Security and Medicare are unlikely if Trump wins, given his campaign promises. Some reforms to reduce ‘waste’ or ‘bad management’ might be proposed, but sweeping changes would face opposition."
Bottom line
Both candidates support Social Security and Medicare but have different approaches to protecting these programs. Harris plans to make corporations and the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share in taxes to keep Social Security and Medicare solvent in the long run, while Trump, on the other hand, has proposed cutting taxes on Social Security altogether.
However, Congressional gridlock could prevent major changes to these programs. The makeup of Congress will ultimately determine any changes to Social Security and Medicare, as significant reforms would need bipartisan support.
Related Content
-
Is Home Insurance Tax Deductible?With home insurance rates on the rise, you might be hoping to at least claim the cost as a tax deduction. Here's what you need to know ahead of tax season.
-
The December Jobs Report Is Out. Here's What It Means for the Next Fed MeetingThe December jobs report signaled a sluggish labor market, but it's not weak enough for the Fed to cut rates later this month.
-
Trump Signals Plan to Ban Institutional Investors From Buying Single-Family HomesThe president says the move could improve housing affordability. Here’s what the data shows about investor ownership, recent buying trends and what it could mean for homebuyers.
-
I'm a Wealth Adviser: Everyone Needs an Estate Plan (Seriously, Even You)If you've acquired assets over time, even just a home and some savings, you have an estate. That means you need a plan for that estate for your beneficiaries.
-
I'm a Wealth Planner: Forget 2026 Market Forecasts and Focus on These 3 Goals for Financial SuccessWe know the economy is unpredictable and markets will do what they do, no matter who predicts what. Here's how to focus on what you can control.
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: Why In-Person Financial Guidance Remains the Gold StandardFace-to-face conversations between advisers and clients provide the human touch that encourages accountability and a real connection.
-
This Is How You Can Turn Your Home Equity Into a Retirement BufferIf you're one of the many homeowners who has the bulk of your net worth tied up in your home equity, you might consider using that equity as a planning tool.
-
We Are Retired, Mortgage-Free, With $970K in Savings. My Husband Wants to Downsize to Lower Our Costs, but I Love Our House. Help!We've paid off our mortgage, have $970K in savings and $5K each month from Social Security. Kiplinger asked wealth planners for advice.
-
Feeling Too Guilty to Spend in Retirement? You Really Need to Get Over ThatAre you living below your means in retirement because you fear not having enough to leave to your kids? Here's how to get over that.
-
Strategies for Women to Maximize Social Security BenefitsWomen often are paid less than men and live longer, so it's critical that they know their Social Security options to ensure they claim what they're entitled to.
-
QUIZ: What Type Of Retirement Spender Are You?Quiz What is your retirement spending style? Find out with this quick quiz.
