Barack Obama On the Issues

The AARP Election 2012 Voters' Guide to the presidential and congressional races featured the candidates' positions on Medicare, Social Security and the financial security of Americans in retirement.

The following statements about President Obama's policy positions were gathered from, whitehouse.gov.

AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.

Join Now

Medicare

“Seniors who fall in the coverage gap known as the doughnut hole will start getting some help.... And I want seniors to know [health reform] will not cut your guaranteed benefits. In fact, under this law, Americans on Medicare will receive free preventive care without co-payments or deductibles.... My approach would build on these reforms. We will reduce wasteful subsidies and erroneous payments. We will cut spending on prescription drugs by using Medicare’s purchasing power.… I will not allow Medicare to become a voucher program that leaves seniors at the mercy of the insurance industry.” (Source: WhiteHouse.gov)

Social Security

"To put us on solid ground, we should also find a bipartisan solution to strengthen Social Security for future generations. We must do it without putting at risk current retirees, the most vulnerable, or people with disabilities; without slashing benefits for future generations; and without subjecting Americans’ guaranteed retirement income to the whims of the stock market." (Source: WhiteHouse.gov)

Financial Security in Retirement

"In addition to protecting and strengthening Social Security, President Obama will make it easier for Americans to save on their own for retirement and prepare for unforeseen expenses. Currently over 75 million working Americans — about half the workforce — lack access to retirement plans through their employers. The President’s budget lays the foundation for all Americans to participate in retirement accounts at work, proposing simple rules and automatic enrollment — that will automatically enroll workers in IRAs who, until now, haven’t had a workplace retirement plan, while allowing them to opt out if they wish [...]." (Source: The WhiteHouse.gov)