Obama won't call for Social Security cuts in deficit speech

President Obama addresses a Joint Session of Congress, Sept. 8, 2011.

/ JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

Though he floated the idea a few months ago of changing the way Social Security benefits are calculated, President Obama will not call for any changes in the retirement program when he makes his recommendations for deficit reduction next week.

White House press spokesperson Amy Brundage says that the president "does not believe that Social Security is a driver of our near and medium term deficits," and that he's asking both parties to work together to strengthen the system.

In his discussions with House Speaker John Boehner this past summer about raising the debt ceiling, one of the possibilities the president discussed was changing the formula by which Social Security payments are increased for inflation. Using what's called the Chained Consumer Price Index rather than the standard CPI would result in slightly lower increases for inflation because the Chained CPI assumes that if prices rise, consumers will buy cheaper products.

That the president even entertained the idea changes to Social Security upset many Democrats. Now the Social Security program has become an issue in the campaign for the Republican presidential nomination - and the White House appears to want to avoid getting into the argument.

White House officials won't say whether Mr. Obama's deficit-cutting recommendations to the congressional "super committee" might include cuts in Medicare. He will unveil them in a speech next Monday.

CBSNews.com special report: America's debt battle

[PoppiPanama]

To further what these politicians have banned together and cted under color of state state law and acting on their personal whims have banned together to render injustices to every American would benefit from change! Sure has been change! Social security beneficiaries and cola changed for the first time since its enactment! Wow! that's change we really do not need! Well didn't need. Endorsing trillions of dollars to be dispensed abroad certainly is an apparent systematical change that has not changed and was in tact when he took the oath! Now why punish Americans that are elderly and disabled? Why? Because OBAMANOCARES! Bottom line. This administration can't even keep jobs to worthy americans willing to work by the sweat of their brow! It is going to take divine intervention to touch the hearts and minds of the politicians to deter the injustices rendered to the elderly and disabled in this country! Bottom line the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer! This administration has been pointing the finger at the Bush administration since it took center stage! That was not the problem! the problem is OBAMANOCARES!

[DebNBatonRouge]

In 2008

[Rwitt9832--2008]

Oboma must be the most clueless person in america, there is several loop holes in SS Policies. Did you know the there is additional ss for each kids in college. When I was at school, I had friends that said they could not graduate, until the age over 26, because of this. I graduated at 21. SS benifits for paying for college end at 26. That is not what ss is for.

[wfw3536]

If any senior believes that Obama will not throw them under the bus, they are in for a surprise. Obamacare already will take 500 billion out of medicare, and you can bet he will be taking more out of Medicare and Medicaid.

[slatep]

Assuming Obama meant what he said while campaigning for the Presidency is responsible in large measure for the God-awful mess this country is today.

BULLETIN: When it comes to politicians and government agencies; NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING.

Always get it in writing.!!

[DebNBatonRouge]

That is a lie. He inherited the mess the country is in. Pres. Bush left this for Obama or any other President that was sworn in 2998.

[Alex_Votocracy]

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