The U.S. senators elected in November this year must answer a key question before the end of their six-year terms: how will they fix the social security system?
The trustee of the project expects that the trust fund used for social security to help pay retirement benefits may be depleted in the fourth quarter of 2032. If Congress does not take action before then, these benefits could be cut by 22%.
Legislators may push for reforms to avoid these automatic cuts. Or they may continue to delay them.
A recent survey conducted by the non-partisan Peter G. Peterson Foundation among voters in states with fierce Senate competition shows that the majority of voters – 81% – stated that they are more likely to support candidates who have plans to avoid automatic cuts to social security benefits, compared to those who promise not to touch such measures.
Even so, the campaign platforms of many Senate candidates still lack specific plans for the future of this project.
Although 35 Senate seats will be up for re-election in November, including special elections in Florida and Ohio, CNBC identified 9 races where candidates mentioned their plans for the future of that project. MS NOW noted that these 9 races are all in battleground states with fierce competition, and provided ratings for the possible outcomes.
The following is more detailed information about these 9 primary elections, as well as what the candidates have said regarding social security reform.
Alaska
Alaska voters will have to make a choice between the current Republican Senator Dan Sullivan ( Dan Sullivan ) and former Democratic Representative Mary Peltola ( Mary Peltola ). Peltola served in the House of Representatives from 2022 to 2025.
During his most recent term in office, Sullivan voted in favor of One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a bill that provides eligible individuals with a temporary tax deduction of up to $6,000 for seniors. Sullivan also voted in favor of Social Security Fairness Act, a bill that eliminates deductions from social security checks for certain government pension recipients. Although both of these laws have helped the beneficiaries, they have also increased the cost of these programs.
A survey conducted in September by the American Retirees Association ( AARP ) showed that the majority of older voters in Alaska – 90% – stated that they would be more likely to support candidates who ensure they receive their rightful social security benefits.
During the 2014 Alaska Senate election, Sullivan stated that he would consider options to reduce social security costs, such as raising the retirement age or conducting income checks on benefits – a point that was also mentioned by his opponents during the 2026 campaign.
Sullivan's campaign team did not respond to the request for a comment from CNBC. During a debate on October 15th, he stated that the welfare of retirees and near-retirees should be protected, and that project reforms must be pursued through bipartisan cooperation.
According to Pertola's campaign website, her platform advocates for the abolition of taxes on social security benefits. Pertola has also co-initiated "Social Security Fairness Act".
A spokesperson for Pertola's campaign team stated in an email sent to CNBC: "Mary will argue forcefully for everyone, fight for the elderly in Alaska, and protect the benefits that Alaskans deserve."
MS NOW calls the Alaska Senate election to be unpredictable in terms of outcome.
Iowa State
In "Eagle Eye State" Iowa, the current Republican Senator Joni Ernst (Joni Ernst) will retire, and this open seat will be contested between Democratic State Representative Josh Turek (Josh Turek) and Republican Federal Representative Ashley Hinson (Ashley Hinson).
At a town hall event in Maine on September 9, Truex stated, "One of the best ways to maintain the solvency of social security is to eliminate the cap on contributions." He was referring to the annual maximum income amount for which social security payroll taxes are required to be paid.
Raising or abolishing this cap means that high-income individuals will contribute more funds to the program. In 2027, this annually adjusted threshold will rise from $184,500 in 2026 to $192,300. Proposals to raise the cap usually retain the first threshold, and then re-impose the social security payroll tax at a proposed income level of, for example, $250,000 or $400,000.
In a recent interview with AARP, Hinson stated, "Anyone who proposes to cut social security will get a firm ‘no’ from me.’ However, in 2024, Hinson voted in favor of cutting funding for the Social Security Administration by up to $452 million in the House Appropriations Committee.”
In 2020, Henson stated that she was "open to" raising the retirement age for social security, but later expressed opposition to this change. In the House of Representatives, she voted in support of OBBBA and Social Security Fairness Act.
In a debate on October 13th, when asked how to fix social security, both individuals expressed their support for establishing a bipartisan committee.
A social security office located in Decora, Iowa (Decorah), within Sen. Sinson's constituency, was recently closed for a period of six months. Some reports pointed to a shortage of staff, while political opponents and advocacy groups blamed this closure on the layoffs supported by Sinson's backing of what President Donald Trump's so-called "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) advocates. In a statement on June 10, Sinson described this six-month closure as "unacceptable" and stated that she has been working to get the office reopened.
A spokesperson for Turek's campaign team stated in an email sent to CNBC.com that Turek "will protect social security by abolishing caps and ensuring that billionaires pay their fair share."
Xinsen Office did not respond to the comment request for CNBC.
MS NOW rated the Iowa Senate election as "tending towards the Republicans."
Maine State
Maine's current Republican Senator Susan Collins ( Susan Collins ) will face Democrat and former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson ( Troy Jackson ) in the election.
In a debate on October 8th, Collins stated that the wage tax cap should be "adjusted," indicating her support for a proposal that was primarily driven by Democrats but has recently gained bipartisan support. She also said that Congress should establish a committee composed of independent financial experts to provide recommendations on how to address the funding gap for this project.
A survey in September, AARP, found that 81% of Maine voters aged 50 and above stated that social security is an important issue in determining their voting decisions. In addition, 93% of them said they are more likely to support candidates who ensure that workers receive the social security benefits they are entitled to.
Jackson stated in the debate that this threshold should be raised.
In a recent comment article published in “Bangor Daily News”, Jackson stated that he hopes to improve the social security benefits for retirees. He also expressed his opposition to the privatization of this program and other cuts to benefits.
Jackson also stated in that comment article that he “would never support” raising the retirement age. Collins, in an interview with News Center Maine in 2023 in response to the potential reforms being discussed at the time, expressed her opposition to raising the retirement age to 70.
Collins is one of the co-authors of Social Security Fairness Act. In the final vote, she voted against OBBBA on the grounds that the bill reduced medical subsidies ( Medicaid ). However, she did vote in favor of a previous motion to proceed with the consideration of that bill.
Collins' campaign team did not respond to the request for a comment from CNBC.
A spokesperson for Jackson's campaign stated in an email statement: "Troy will be committed to abolishing the cap, demanding that the wealthy pay social security taxes on all their income, and expanding benefits—not raising the retirement age."
MS NOW calls the Maine Senate election to be unpredictable in terms of who will win.
Michigan State
Voters in Michigan will have to make a choice between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed ( Abdul El - Sayed ) and Republican Mike Rogers ( Mike Rogers ). El-Sayed recently served as the director of public health for Wayne County, while Rogers was a member of the Michigan Federal House of Representatives from 2001 to 2015.
In a television debate on October 8th, El-Said stated that the upper limit on social security payroll taxes should be abolished. “It’s only fair that the rich pay their fair share,” he said.
He also stated during the debate that taxes on social security benefits should be abolished.
During the debate, Rogers stated that he supports addressing the funding issues for this project through a committee with a “bipartisan solution.” “Put them in a room, lock the door, and then say, ‘Don’t come out until you come up with a real solution that can gain bipartisan support.’” he said.
A poll in August, AARP, found that 93% of Michigan voters aged 50 and above stated that they would be more likely to support candidates who ensure that workers receive their due social security benefits.
Rogers did not propose raising the retirement age or privatizing projects in this campaign. However, according to PolitiFact, he has previously expressed support for raising the retirement age. The fact-checking website also stated that during his time as a member of Congress, Rogers supported a proposal to allow part of social security payroll taxes to be transferred into private investment accounts.
A spokesperson for Rogers' campaign team stated via email that Rogers understands that social security "is a lifeline for those elderly people who have worked hard their entire lives and contributed to this state... Mike will ensure that we continue to invest in them."
El-Said's campaign team did not respond to the request for a comment from CNBC.com.
MS NOW describes the Michigan state election race as "uncertain in outcome."
Nebraska
Voters in Nebraska may have to choose between Republican Senator Pete Rikits ( Pete Ricketts ) and independent candidate Dan Osborne ( Dan Osborn ). Osborne, a union leader, has the support of the state's Democratic Party.
Ricketts once stated that social security benefits should be "completely tax-free."
During his tenure as the governor of Nebraska, Ricketts signed a law in 2022 that gradually eliminated taxes on welfare at the state level. After becoming a senator, he proposed similar measures at the federal level, which are still under consideration by the Finance Committee. He also voted in support of OBBBA. Although eliminating taxes on welfare is beneficial to recipients, it will reduce the revenue for that program.
In an email statement, Ricketts stated: "Nebraskans who have reached retirement age deserve to receive the benefits they are entitled to. I am committed to protecting the welfare of our elderly and working hard to improve social security programs for all Americans."
According to Osborne's campaign website, in order to extend the solvency of social security, Osborne calls for raising or abolishing the wage tax cap. In an email statement sent to CNBC, he stated: "The solution is very simple – abolish the social security cap and let everyone pay their fair share."
According to his campaign website, Osborne opposes cuts to social security benefits, including raising the retirement age, as well as opposing the privatization of these programs.
MS NOW assesses the Nebraska Senate election as "very likely to result in a Republican victory."
New Hampshire
In November, voters in New Hampshire may have to choose between two veteran members of Congress: Democrat Chris Papas ( Chris Pappas ) and Republican John Sununu ( John Sununu ). The current Democratic Senator, Jeanne Shaheen ( Jeanne Shaheen ), will not be running for re-election.
According to Papas' campaign website, this candidate, who has served as a federal congressman since 2019, "will never vote in favor of cutting benefits." At an event in August, he stated that high-income individuals should contribute their "fair share" to the program.
"I also believe that elderly people should receive a salary increase," Pappas stated on the AARP candidate forum on October 14th. He said that adjustments to the cost of living for social security have not kept up with "the real cost of living."
Papas once voted in support of “Social Security Fairness Act”. However, he voted against “OBBBA” on the grounds that the bill cut back on social security programs, including medical subsidies.
Sununu has served in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. During his tenure, Sununu supported legislation that proposed to divert a portion of payroll taxes into individual investment accounts rather than social security trust funds, as part of a broader initiative pushed by then-President George W. Bush.
During his campaign, Papas stated that Sunnunu had played a leading role in pushing for the privatization of the project – fact-checking organization PolitiFact deemed this claim to be “basically true” and pointed out that Sunnunu’s proposal should have been based on voluntary participation, with age restrictions, or a combination of both. In an interview with WMUR in August, Sunnunu said that if the proposal had been approved that year, the project would still be solvent today.
"I have never voted in support of changing, reducing, or cutting benefits," Sunnunu stated on the AARP candidate forum.
Sununu's campaign team did not respond to the request for a comment from CNBC. On the other hand, Papas' campaign team asked CNBC to refer to his recent statements on social security on the AARP forum.
MS NOW rated the New Hampshire Senate election as "tending towards the Democrats."
North Carolina
North Carolina Senate candidates – former governor and Democrat Roy Cooper ( Roy Cooper ) and former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Watley ( Michael Whatley ) – both mentioned social security issues in their campaigns.
In September, Cooper stated regarding AARP, that some members of Congress are "weakening" social security by cutting taxes for the wealthy. He expressed that this program needs to be protected and strengthened, saying, "In the U.S. Senate, I will work with anyone I can to achieve that."
A poll in September conducted by AARP found that 83% of voters aged 50 and above in North Carolina stated that social security is an important issue in determining their voting decisions. At the same time, 93% of them said they are more likely to support candidates who ensure that workers receive their due benefits.
Watley stated to AARP that his primary task “always” is to maintain and protect social security, and he would not support any proposal that “deprives” those who have contributed to the program of their rightful benefits.
Watley also stated that Congress must cooperate in a "bipartisan manner" to improve the project's solvency.
Walterly's campaign team did not respond to the comment request for CNBC.
A spokesperson for Cooper's campaign team stated in an email statement: "Roy Cooper will strive to protect and strengthen the social security benefits of current and future generations."
MS NOW rated the North Carolina Senate election as "tending towards the Democrats."
Ohio State
Former Democratic Senator from Ohio, Sherrod Brown ( Sherrod Brown ), is seeking to return to the Senate, facing off against Republican Senator Jon Hesterd ( Jon Husted ). This special election will determine who will complete the remaining two-year term of the seat formerly held by Vice President JD Pence ( JD Vance ).
During his tenure as a senator, Brown advocated for the expansion and protection of social security benefits. He is one of the co-authors of Social Security Fairness Act.
A poll in June, AARP, found that 83% of Ohio voters aged 50 and above stated that the candidates' stances on social security issues would influence their voting decisions.
Recently, in a AARP voter guide video in October, Brown stated that he opposed the privatization of the project.
Brown said about AARP: "We need to ensure that billionaires pay their fair share by raising the tax ceiling, so that we can extend the lifespan of this project."
In the video with AARP, Hesterd stated that social security will require a "truly bipartisan solution."
Hesterd voted in support of OBBBA. He also proposed a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget, which critics claim could lead to significant cuts in social security.
When asked about the candidates' social security plans, neither Brown's nor Hesterd's campaign teams provided any further details to CNBC.
MS NOW calls the Ohio Senate election to be one with an uncertain outcome.
Texas
Voters in "Lone Star State" may have to choose between Ken Paxton ( Ken Paxton ), a Republican candidate for senator and the state's attorney general, and James Tararico ( James Talar token issuance), a Democratic candidate who is also a former middle school teacher and state representative.
Tarrarico stated that in order to strengthen social security, he hopes to eliminate the cap on social security taxes for individuals with an annual income exceeding $400,000. "I will ensure that the wealthiest Americans contribute their fair share to social security," Tarrarico said in a AARP interview released on September 1st.
A poll in September, AARP, found that 91% of Texas voters aged 50 and above stated that they would support candidates who advocate for workers to receive all their due social security benefits.
Paxton stated to AARP that Washington “has no right” to cut social security benefits. Paxton also mentioned in the interview that one of his goals is to eliminate what he referred to as “waste, fraud, and abuse” within the program.
According to a report by Texas Tribune on October 8th, Paxton stated in a leaked recording, "There is no doubt that we must cut some mandatory expenditures." Social security is one of the federal programs that are funded through mandatory expenditures. Paxton said in a statement to the newspaper that he would protect social security.
Paxton's campaign team did not respond to the request for a comment from CNBC.
A spokesman for Taralico said that the candidate will "step forward" to oppose attacks on social security and "strive to ensure that all Americans can afford a retirement lifestyle."
MS NOW calls the Texas Senate election to be unpredictable in terms of outcome.
