State of New Jersey secondary Archives: on Social Security
Bob Hugin:
Blasts opponent for voting to raise taxes on Social Security
[Twitter posting by Bob Hugin]: @SenatorMenendez voted to raise taxes on Social Security & he abused his power to help his 'best friend' Melgen, who ran a fraud scheme that stole millions from
Medicare by performing unnecessary operations that left patients blind #BlindingHypocrisy #NJSen
Source: Twitter posting for 2018 New Jersey Senate race
May 6, 2018
Chris Christie:
State pensions cut by $120B; but $90B still to go
We defied the conventional wisdom and reduced the cost [of state pensions] to taxpayers by over $120 billion over the next three decades. Today, the health of the pension system is stronger than it was 5 years ago. In fact, gains have totaled over
$35 billion--which is way above projections--thanks to our sound management and smart investment strategy.But the pension fund's problem is a long-term one. Right now the $90 billion unfunded liability for pensions and health benefits is three times
the size of the annual state budget. Think of this way--in order to close the current shortfall in just the pension system alone every family in New Jersey would have to write a check for $12,000.
That is the nature of long-term entitlements which grow
faster than the economy, and in that regard our problem here in New Jersey is not that different from Washington's entitlement problem. Last summer I appointed a pension and health benefits task force--to think outside the box, and they are hard at work.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 New Jersey Legislature
Jan 13, 2015
Chris Christie:
Close deficit in state retirement fund over next 7 years
SB 2 provides that beginning in 2011, the state is to make full annual employer's contribution to all state retirement systems. The state must make a payment of at least 1/7 of the full contribution, commencing July 2011, and makes a payment in each
subsequent fiscal year by at least an additional 1/7, until payment of the full contribution is made. Bloomberg News follow-up: Gov. Christie said the state may not be able to make a required pension payment. The state treasurer planned
to make a $512 million contribution to the pension system in fiscal 2012, its first in four years. Christie said, "We'll make that contribution if the state is in a position to make that contribution." The governor skipped a $3 billion payment into the
$67 billion fund in his first budget as he coped with a record $11 billion deficit. The fund had a deficit of $46 billion.
Legislative record:Bill Passed Assembly, 62-9-9; Passed Senate, 34-2-4, March 22, 2010. Sen. Lesniak voted YEA.
Source: NCSL Pension Report: 2010 New Jersey voting records for SB 2
Jul 30, 2010
Chris Christie:
Do not prioritize pensions over other critical spending
The State Assembly has begun the pursuit of a constitutional amendment to guarantee pension payments over all other types of state spending. Because spending on education, health, crime, environment, welfare etc. is not guaranteed by the Constitution and
is subject to elimination to pay for the pensions of 800,000 current and former public employees. The health, welfare, security and success of the other 8.1 million New Jerseyans become second-class concerns; pensions reign supreme.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to New Jersey legislature
Jan 12, 2016
Cory Booker:
Opposes raising retirement age; expand entitlements
Cory Booker said he supports expanding Social Security and Medicare hours, following a press conference where his opponents challenged Booker on the issue. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee held a morning rally in Trenton with Booker's opponents
pressing Booker on the Social Security issue. Later Booker took to Twitter to say that he wants to expand, not cut Social Security and Medicare, and that he opposes raising the retirement age. A week ago Booker said that he would consider voting to raise
the retirement age for those in their 20s or younger.In response to the PCCC, Booker said that he believes that tying Social Security benefits to the Consumer Price Index or a change in the retirement age would constitute cuts to the program. Booker
has found himself pressed by his opponents on the Social Security issue in recent weeks, [based on] the mayor's ties to Wall Street interests. Booker has long been a recipient of campaign contributions from those in the financial services sector.
Source: Huffington Post on 2014 New Jersey Senate race
Aug 1, 2013
Donny DiFrancesco:
Reduce taxes on retiree earnings & benefits
DiFrancesco was the prime sponsor on the following bills in the 2000-2001 NJ congressional session:- SR32: Expresses the sense of the New Jersey General Assembly that Congress should act to eliminate the Social Security earnings test for
beneficiaries who have attained retirement age for Social Security benefits.
- SR49: Memorializes Congress to enact H.R.48 which repeals 1993 increase on percentage of certain Social Security benefits subject to taxation.
Source: New Jersey congressional voting records
Dec 25, 2000
Hirsh Singh:
Move new state employees to 401k-style retirement plan
Would not freeze benefit levels now for people in the system because "a lot of good people would lose benefits that they have planned for and are expecting." He would also move all new employees to a modern-day,
401k-style retirement plan similar to what's available in the private sector, with defined contributions from the state and employees. He would also "align health benefits with the private sector."
Source: Newark Star Ledger on 2021 New Jersey Gubernatorial race
May 15, 2019
Jack Ciattarelli:
Limit retirement pensions for public retirees
Public Employee Benefits Reform to Restore Fiscal Responsibility- No post-retirement healthcare benefit for current and future public worker retirees if pension plus Social Security exceeds $50,000 per year.
-
All public workers with less than 10 years in system must switch over to cash balance pension plan.
- All newly hired teachers will have pension and Social Security paid by the local school district, not the state.
Source: 2017 New Jersey Gubernatorial campaign website Jack4Gov.com
Jan 17, 2017
Josh Gottheimer:
Oppose any attempt to privatize or cut benefits
Our seniors shouldn't have to worry that their Social Security checks will always clear and that Medicare will be available. I promise to protect Social Security and Medicare for future generations and will oppose any attempt to privatize or cut the
benefits of these essential programs. Instead, we should make our current programs more sustainable for future generations. Social Security and Medicare are the foundation of our retirement security; it should be a guarantee--not a gamble.
Source: 2016 New Jersey House campaign website josh4congress.com
Nov 8, 2016
Phil Murphy:
Evaluate state pension system for growing unfunded liability
New Jersey currently carries a $43 billion unfunded pension liability. This has been created almost entirely by the state's failure to make its annual contributions. Eleven years ago, Phil Murphy chaired the first commission to evaluate the
state's pension system in light of a growing unfunded liability. One of our primary recommendations was that the state must meet its funding obligations going forward.
Eleven years later, the problem has only grown worse. We must get our pension funds back on track to solvency--starting with the state living up to its commitments. As Phil said in 2005, when Governor Codey appointed him to chair an
effort to address our pension problems, "a constitutional amendment guaranteeing state pension contributions should be part of the solution--but the solution must be comprehensive and ensure a reasonable payment schedule."
Source: 2017 New Jersey Gubernatorial website, Murphy4NJ.com
Sep 19, 2016
Ray Lesniak:
Close deficit in state retirement fund over next 7 years
SB 2 provides that beginning in 2011, the state is to make full annual employer's contribution to all state retirement systems. The state must make a payment of at least 1/7 of the full contribution, commencing July 2011, and makes a payment in each
subsequent fiscal year by at least an additional 1/7, until payment of the full contribution is made. Bloomberg News follow-up: Gov. Christie said the state may not be able to make a required pension payment. The state treasurer planned
to make a $512 million contribution to the pension system in fiscal 2012, its first in four years. Christie said, "We'll make that contribution if the state is in a position to make that contribution." The governor skipped a $3 billion payment into the
$67 billion fund in his first budget as he coped with a record $11 billion deficit. The fund had a deficit of $46 billion.
Legislative record:Bill Passed Assembly, 62-9-9; Passed Senate, 34-2-4, March 22, 2010. Sen. Lesniak voted YEA.
Source: NCSL Pension Report: 2010 New Jersey voting records for SB 2
Mar 22, 2010
Robert Menendez:
Opposes privatization of Social Security
Q: Support full or partial privatization of Social Security?Robert Hugin (R): No stand found.
Robert Menendez (D): No. Opposes.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Jersey Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Seth Kaper-Dale:
State must ensure senior care
It is very important that seniors in nursing homes are treated with dignity and respect and are given the highest level of care. I would fully support legislation that increases staffing levels for those in care facilities.
Proper funding of Nursing Homes, by securing Medicaid reimbursements, and providing stop-gap funding if needed, must be a state priority. If legislation came across my desk to increase funding for quality care it would not be met with a veto.
Source: 2018 New Jersey Governor website KaperDaleForGovernor.com
Aug 8, 2017
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023