Americans’ Support for Social Security Crosses Racial, Ethnic Lines

While most Americans value Social Security, support for the program is particularly strong among African Americans and Hispanics, according to a new report by the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI). The report, based on a survey originally released in February 2013, examines the similarities and differences in views on Social Security among African American, Hispanic and white American adults. According to the NASI report, African Americans (82 percent) and Hispanics (81 percent) are somewhat more likely than whites (70 percent) to believe that Social Security is the foundation upon which they can build their retirement. African Americans and Hispanics, who are likely to be more reliant on Social Security in old age than white Americans, are more confident in the program and more supportive of it.

According to the report, Americans regardless of race or retirement status do not mind paying (or did not mind paying, in the case of retirees) Social Security taxes—84 percent felt this way because Social Security helps millions of Americans, and about 80 percent felt this way because they or their families benefit from the program. More than three in four Americans, including 84 percent of African Americans, 70 percent of Hispanics, and 76 percent of whites, believe that raising Social Security taxes is okay if it means the program is sustained and benefits are not reduced.

Read the NASI report.