The government would match deposits into these accounts for workers with a certain income level. Bush's plan is to funnel into Social Security some of the payroll taxes paid by employees and employers. Citizens would invest this money, and these investments would give higher returns than the 2 percent interest gathered by money in the Social Security trust fund. Citizens already receiving benefits would continue to receive Social Security. Likewise, nothing would change for those expecting to receive benefits in the near future.
Voters have questions about both plans.
It's even difficult to tell whether there is a budget surplus now. According to issues2000, the federal government's budget surplus is reported from a unified budget that includes the federal budget and the Social Security trust fund. But if the money from the untouchable trust fund is not considered, there is actually a budget deficit. No surplus means no money with which to save Social Security. Bush's solution also has voters wondering.