It’s roughly a month before Virginians must decide whether to rehire Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Warner, or choose someone new. During a forum where seniors had an opportunity to interact with Warner's leading opponent, Republican Ed Gillespie, the questions weren't focused on retirement and senior care. Instead, they addressed hot-button issues such as immigration reform, the Affordable Care Act, and strengthening the military.
Gillespie opened up the Association for Mature American Citizens forum talking about the sluggish economy and Senator Warner's continued support for the Affordable Care Act, which the Republican said is flawed.
After laying out his five-point plan to jump-start economic growth, Gillespie took questions-and not ONE was specifically aimed at the over-50 population. Gillespie says it's because many other issues ultimately drive the problems that seniors face.
Gillespie says current seniors don't have to worry about losing their Social Security as younger generations do, but he does realize that reforms must be passed to preserve it and advocates for bipartisan action in Congress. Gillespie and Warner are also being challenged by Libertarian Robert Sarvis.
U.S. Senator Mark Warner says he's had his own plan for addressing retirement in this country-which he says isn’t necessarily popular among groups that might typically support him. But he believes these changes are absolutely necessary.
Speaking recently at the Battleground U.S. Senate forum in Herndon, Warner explained that he's been pushing entitlement reform. He said that using "Chained CPI" to slow the rate of cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits would help sustain the program long-term.
“Chained CPI” factors in cost-saving changes in consumer habits when prices rise. Warner also said that during speaking engagements, he routinely asks if those who are under the age of 35 would be willing to wait an extra year to collect Social Security if it’s guaranteed to be there. He added that we have to acknowledge the math around the fact that we're living longer and there are fewer workers per Social Security recipient.