Social Security and American Public Opinion

Social Security is a mainstay of older Americans’ financial wherewithal, and — long considered the “third rail” of American politics — a system Americans greatly value even as it faces an uncertain future. …

The dominance of Social Security as retirees’ most important source of income has been consistent since Gallup first began asking about it in 2002. At that point, 58% of retirees said Social Security was a major source of income, essentially the same as today. In each of the past 17 years, Social Security has topped the list of major sources of income for retirees. CONT.

Frank Newport, Gallup