Insider’s Report: Social Security Commissioner Considers Raising the Retirement Age

Despite President Trump’s pledge not to cut Social Security, Administration officials keep letting the real agenda slip out. First, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted that privatizing Social Security was on the table. Now, Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano says he’s open to the idea of raising the retirement age. ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )In a recent interview on Fox Business News, host Maria Bartiromo asked Bisignano if he’d “consider raising the retirement age,” to which the commissioner replied, “I think everything’s being considered.”

While Bisignano admitted he’d need Congress’ help to make any changes to Social Security, it’s not the first time this reform has been proposed in Washington. The current full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later; some GOP lawmakers have floated proposals to raise it as high as 70, under the cover of fixing the projected depletion of Social Security’s trust funds in 2034.

Meanwhile, some Republicans have refused to consider solutions that would bring more revenue into the system, preferring benefit cuts instead. As we have pointed out many times, raising the retirement age is a lifetime benefit cut — 7% for every year the age is increased. ( [link removed] )

In an episode ( [link removed] ) of our podcast on May 23, 2024, Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik called raising the retirement age “the stupidest and most dishonest fix for Social Security.” He explained further: “Not everybody spends their careers with their belly behind a desk in an air-conditioned office, and the life expectancy and the need to retire is obviously very different between office workers and members of Congress and construction workers. But (Republicans) want (a higher) retirement age — and it makes no sense.” ( [link removed] )

For some lawmakers, workers must continue to sacrifice while the rich get richer. That’s why the National Committee is fighting to stop radical “reforms” like raising the retirement age, which would amount to a benefit cut for future retirees, pure and simple. ( [link removed] )

Instead, we’re calling on Congress to require the wealthy to pay their fair share into Social Security. Currently, individuals stop paying into Social Security when they’ve earned $176,100 in income. Requiring higher-income earners to contribute their fair share into Social Security ( [link removed]- ) would help close this program’s projected funding gap. ( [link removed] )

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New Podcast Episode: Social Security: 90 Years Strong — Behind the Scenes of Our Documentary

Check out the National Committee’s latest “You Earned This” podcast episode. ( [link removed] ) We go behind the scenes of our new documentary film, “Social Security: 90 Years Strong.” ( [link removed] ) The film takes us from the 1930s, when Social Security was signed into law by FDR, to today — when we are fighting to defend it from Trump & DOGE. Join director Walter Gottlieb, producer Melanie Reilly, and editor Marcie Robusto for a lively chat about the making of this landmark film! Plus — some compelling clips from the documentary.

Ask Us!

Whether you’re retired or approaching retirement, our team of experts in the field of Social Security policy is available to answer your questions about benefits.

You can either search our archives ( [link removed] ) for valuable advice on a broad range of concerns or submit your question here ( [link removed] ).

This week’s question is: 
I am eligible for benefits; my husband does not have enough credits. I know he will receive survivor benefits if I die, but does he receive any income if both are alive? 

Click here to read the answer. ( [link removed] )

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Learn more about the Social Security program and the policies the National Committee supports that would strengthen your earned benefits.

With Bob Dole gone, who’s going to fix Social Security now? | Opinion ( [link removed] )

Dan Adcock of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare thinks Congress will ultimately head off huge cuts in Social Security. But it will be difficult in our toxic political climate. (September 19, 2025, The Kansas City Star, Dion Lefler)

Read More → ( [link removed] )

House Panel Advances Social Security Claiming Bill ( [link removed] )

The bill, the Claiming Age Clarity Act, “tries to make it more obvious that if you claim benefits early (before age 67), you will have a lifetime reduction in your monthly benefits, and that conversely, if you delay claiming till age 70, you will receive your highest possible monthly lifetime benefit,” says NCPSSM. (September 18, 2025, ThinkAdvisor, Melanie Waddell)

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Private health insurers use AI to approve or deny care. Soon Medicare will, too. ( [link removed] )

The Trump administration will launch a decade-long pilot in six states to test whether an AI-driven prior authorization system can cut Medicare costs, sparking bipartisan concerns that it will delay or deny necessary care for patients. Listen to NCPSSM's Anne Montgomery explain why this experiment is a terrible idea... on our podcast ( [link removed] ).  (September 24, 2025, NBC News, Lauren Sausser and Darius Tahir)

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Larson Blasts Trump Administration Plan to Raise the Retirement Age ( [link removed] )

U.S Representative John Larson (CT-01) condemned the Trump Administration for considering raising the Social Security retirement age, calling it a disguised benefit cut that would push more seniors into poverty and vowing Democrats will fight to protect the program. (September 18, 2025, house.gov, Press Release)

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Your Medicare Costs Are Set to Soar: What to Expect Over the Next Decade ( [link removed] )

Medicare faces not only long-term funding shortfalls but also sharp, steady increases in Part B premiums and high-income surcharges starting in 2026, with costs projected to nearly double by 2034. (September 23, 2025, Kiplinger, Donna LeValley)

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Social Security overpayment crisis deepens as Georgia families face steep demands ( [link removed] )

Social Security’s overpayment “clawbacks” are devastating families in Georgia and nationwide — sometimes demanding tens of thousands from survivors or caregivers — though recent policy changes and congressional proposals aim to soften the agency’s harsh collection practices. (September 24, 2025, Atlanta News First, Andy Pierrotti)

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