When the new Congress convenes under Democratic control in January, it will face a challenge on Social Security that has remained unsolved for a generation. Americans under 50 are skeptical about receiving their promised benefits, most voters believe change is needed, and there is strong opposition to both tax increases and benefit cuts.

By a 2-to-1 margin (57% to 30%), American voters believe that Social Security needs to be fixed rather than left alone. As with all things relating to Social Security, there is a huge difference based upon a person’s age. Among those under 30, 77% believe the New Deal program needs to be fixed while just 12% want it left alone. A solid majority of all workers under 65 share this view, but those over 65 disagree. Among senior citizens, 46% wand Social Security left alone and only 38% believe it needs to be fixed.

Fifty percent (50%) of Democrats believe Social Security needs to be fixed along with 65% of Republicans and 57% of unaffiliated voters.

Just 29% of workers under 40 believe they are even somewhat likely to receive their promised benefits from Social Security (only 8% of this age group consider it “very” likely that they will receive their promised benefits. Forty-somethings are more evenly divided—51% say it’s at least somewhat likely they will receive all their benefits while 48% say it’s not very likely or not at all likely.

Seventy-two percent (72%) of those aged 50-64 say it’s likely they’ll receive all promised benefits, a figure that rises to 81% among those over 65.

Despite the lack of confidence expressed by younger voters, searches for a solution present challenges. Higher Social Security taxes are opposed by 50% of voters and supported by just 27%. Those over 65 are evenly divided on this question while most younger Americans are opposed.

Cutting benefits for younger Americans is even more strongly opposed—just 15% support this approach while 61% are opposed.

One reform that draws support is to let workers select their own retirement age. If they want to retire earlier, they can pay more into Social Security. If they want to retire later, they can pay less. Sixty percent (60%) of American voters favor this approach while 27% are opposed. Senior citizens are evenly divided.

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