Foster, Hultgren try to clear up positions on Social Security

The Democrat and Republican candidates for Congress in the 14th District last week made statements about Social Security that seemed to contradict previous positions. On Wednesday, Republican Randy Hultgren and incumbent Democrat Bill Foster laid out more detailed explanations of where they stand on the federal government's largest program.

Last week, Hultgren said Social Security is a promise the federal government made with retirees.

"I strongly believe we need to preserve and protect Social Security, which is a sacred contract between workers and the federal government and must not be broken," Hultgren said in a written statement. "I am strongly opposed to any cuts in benefits for current or future beneficiaries."

That appeared to contrast with a Hultgren interview published Dec. 3 by the Illinois Review, a publication targeted at conservative readers. Hultgren told that publication young workers should take more individual responsibility for their retirement savings. Hultgren said at the time increasing the retirement age should be considered.

"Certainly the life expectancy wasn't nearly as high as it is now as it was when Social Security was instituted back 60 to 70 years ago, so we need to update that for younger workers who have a higher age level when they would have access to Social Security," Hultgren said. "I think we need to have some other private options for people, younger workers, to be able to invest for their retirement."

On Wednesday, Hultgren said he doesn't support cutting any benefits.

"It's a sacred contract I believe we've made with our seniors. We need to abide by that. I still think the greatest risk is the out-of-control spending that we're seeing out in Washington, D.C., right now. They're not adequately funding it. They're not following through on that commitment. Right now we need to keep Social Security as is for seniors, follow through on that contract. I'm opposed to privatization for our seniors."

Asked if he supports an increase in the retirement age, Hultgren said: "The priority is making sure that our seniors are taking care of and that we're following through on that commitment. So, no, I'm not interested in that."

Foster found himself in a similar web of confusion when he said last week he is "absolutely opposed" to any privatization of Social Security because it would result in a cut in benefits. Later that same day, Foster was asked about how to keep the fund solvent and said:

"What you might get is a list of small changes. Many small changes are better than one giant thing. All we have to do is bend the cost curve by one small amount (increase the contribution level), or decrease the amount of benefits by a very small amount."

Asked about the conflicting statements, Foster's campaign manager Brandon Pinette said Foster was talking about a U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging report that listed 12 ways to fix Social Security. Reducing benefits and raising the retirement age are on that list, but Pinette said that doesn't mean Foster agrees with those ideas.

"Bill's stance on Social Security is that right now benefits should not be cut and the retirement age should not be raised."