Social Security reform plans could sway voters in battleground Senate races, survey finds

Senators elected this November are slated to be in office in the fourth quarter of 2032 — the projected depletion date for the trust fund Social Security relies on to help pay retirement benefits. Without action by Congress , that depletion may prompt a 22% cut to benefits for eligible retired workers, their spouses and children and survivors of deceased workers. A new survey from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation finds that 81% of respondents in states with competitive Senate races say they are more likely to vote for candidates with plans to avoid automatic Social Security benefit cuts than for a candidate "who promises not to touch Social Security.