Wisconsin Watch partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. Read our methodology to learn how we check claims.
Yes.
Republican Eric Hovde supports raising the retirement age for receiving Social Security, but only for younger Americans, despite misleading attacks on him.
Hovde is running Nov. 5, 2024, against U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.
Hovde said Oct. 21: “Nobody who’s on Social Security or heading to Social Security with any reasonable time frame should have Social Security touched.”
But because life expectancy has increased since Social Security was created, the retirement age should be raised for younger people. “You could start someplace in the 40s,” Hovde said, reiterating previous campaign comments.
Retirees can start receiving partial Social Security benefits at 62; the age for receiving full benefits varies.
Baldwin in an ad and on social media has attacked Hovde without saying his proposed eligibility change would apply only to younger workers.
Advocates say raising the retirement age would protect Social Security, which is projected to remain solvent only through 2033.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
WisconsinEye: Eric Hovde interview
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Claim that Eric Hovde proposed cutting Social Security is Mostly False
Hovde for Senate: Truth Matters: Eric Hovde Slams Tammy Baldwin For Lying About His Position On Social Security – Eric Hovde
Social Security Administration: Retirement Age and Benefit Reduction
Tammy Baldwin for Senate: Favor Both
Congressional Research Service: CRS Updates Report on Social Security Trust Fund Solvency
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
