logo
Brief Publisher Logo
FACT BRIEF

Does Eric Hovde support raising the Social Security retirement age for younger Americans?

By Tom Kertscher
View this fact brief on Wisconsin Watch
Copy link
email
Copy featured image
email
YES

Republican Eric Hovde supports raising the retirement age for receiving Social Security – but only for younger Americans, despite misleading attacks on him.

Hovde is running Nov. 5, 2024, against U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin.

Hovde said Oct. 21: “Nobody who’s on Social Security or heading to Social Security with any reasonable time frame should have Social Security touched.”

But because life expectancy has increased since Social Security was created, the retirement age should be raised for younger people. “You could start someplace in the 40s,” Hovde said, reiterating previous campaign comments.

Retirees can start receiving partial Social Security benefits at 62; the age for receiving full benefits varies.

Baldwin in an ad and on social media has attacked Hovde without saying his proposed eligibility change would apply only to younger workers.

Advocates say raising the retirement age would protect Social Security, which is projected to remain solvent only through 2033.

See a full discussion of this at Wisconsin Watch
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
WisconsinEye Eric Hovde interview
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Claim that Eric Hovde proposed cutting Social Security is Mostly False
Hovde for Senate Truth Matters: Eric Hovde Slams Tammy Baldwin For Lying About His Position On Social Security - Eric Hovde
Social Security Administration Retirement Age and Benefit Reduction
Tammy Baldwin for Senate Favor Both
X Tammy Baldwin on X: "Let me tell you about Eric Hovde’s plan for Social Security. (Hint: you’re not gonna like it!) -Raise retirement age as high as 72 -Cut benefits 28% -Rob average retiree of $6K+/y
Congressional Research Service CRS Updates Report on Social Security Trust Fund Solvency
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
FACT BRIEF BY
Brief Publisher Logo
Latest fact briefs from Wisconsin Watch
facebook
twitter
email
email
About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.