Broad support found for independent Social Security commission

"The proposal is modeled on the Base Realignment and Closure process better known as BRAC which was used after the Cold War to close unneeded military bases. At the time, many members of Congress recognized the need for closures but worked to shield bases in their own districts. The BRAC process overcame that stalemate by relying on independent experts, not lawmakers, to draft recommendations."

"Support for an independent Social Security commission appears rooted in deep public distrust of Congress's handling of the program, according to the Cato survey findings. Sixty-two percent of respondents said Congress has mostly broken its promises to workers in managing Social Security a view shared across age groups and party lines. The poll also revealed sharp generational divides. While most Americans oppose reducing benefits, nearly half of adults ages 18 to 29 said they would support benefit cuts to help close funding gaps."

Support for creating a national commission of independent experts on Social Security reform is strong across parties: Democrats 78%, independents 72%, Republicans 68%. The commission proposal is modeled on the BRAC process, empowering independent experts to draft recommendations that go to the president and then to Congress on a fast-track accept-or-reject basis. That structure aims to overcome local protectionism and gridlock. Deep public distrust of Congress on Social Security is evident, with 62% saying Congress has mostly broken promises. Younger adults show greater willingness to accept benefit cuts. Raising or eliminating the payroll-tax cap is a widely discussed alternative reform.

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