"Because the — all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculate, for example, is on the table; whether or not
benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases. There's a series of
parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those
different cost drivers, affecting those — changing those with personal accounts, the
idea
is to get what has been promised more likely to be — or closer delivered to what
has been promised. Does that make any sense to you? It's kind of muddled.
Look, there's a series of things that cause the — like, for example, benefits are
calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some
have suggested that we calculate — the benefits will rise based upon inflation, as
opposed to wage increases. There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were
put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised
benefits grow, if those — if that growth is affected, it will help on the
red." —George W. Bush, explaining his plan to save Social
Security, Tampa, Fla., Feb. 4, 2005
