Question

Which of the following explains why any attempt to reduce Social Security benefits is difficult?

А) The Supreme Court has ruled that benefits are constitutionally required.
B) Interest groups concerned with Social Security are ineffective.
C) The global economy makes government insurance programs necessary.
D) There are many voters who support Social Security.
E) Government cannot predict the number of new retirees each year.

Answer 1

Reducing Social Security benefits is difficult due to the significant number of voters who depend on them for retirement income, making it politically sensitive and controversial. Option D.

Step-by-step explanation:

Attempts to reduce Social Security benefits prove to be difficult primarily due to the large voter base that supports them. Millions of retired Americans rely on Social Security as a vital source of income, notably after age 65.

These benefits are critical for the financial security of these individuals, many of whom count on Social Security for a substantial part of their retirement income. As such, any proposed reductions can be highly controversial and politically challenging.

Voters who benefit from or anticipate benefiting from Social Security have a significant influence on public policy, and politicians are wary of alienating this substantial and vocal constituency.

Moreover, given the current pay-as-you-go system, where the payments of current workers fund the benefits of retirees, changes can have immediate and long-lasting effects on the financial well-being of a vulnerable segment of the population.

So option D is correct.