Pillar 1: Social Security Reform | The Great American Agreement

The Problem

A System That Stopped Being Fair

Today, every worker pays 6.2% into Social Security — but only on income up to $168,600. That means:

A teacher earning $65K pays 6.2% on every dollar.
A tech VP earning $300K only pays on the first $168,600.
A billionaire finishes paying by January 10th — and contributes nothing on the next $10 million.

Meanwhile, the Trust Fund is projected to run out by 2033. After that, benefits will be cut by ~20% if nothing changes.

This is not sustainable. It's not fair. And it's not American.

The Solution

Make Social Security Proportional Again

Keep the 6.2% rate the same for everyone. But instead of a flat ceiling at $168,600:

The cap scales with income, up to 10× the base (i.e. $1.686 million).
Everyone pays the same percentage, but on more of their income — according to what they earn.

This is not a tax hike. It's a restoration of the Social Security promise — by modernizing how we fund it.

20-Year Projected Impact

+$190B

New annual revenue (25% increase)

$8T

Surplus built over 20 years

75 yrs

Solvency restored without cuts

Political Positioning

A Reform Everyone Can Defend

To the Right

Fair share, not open-ended wealth transfer
Preserves the promise without new taxes
Protects long-term solvency without bureaucratic expansion

To the Left

Fixes regressivity in the system
Funds future benefits without cutting care
Aligns contribution with capacity

To the Center

Rational, data-backed fix
Avoids brinkmanship and benefit slashing
Signals seriousness about long-term fiscal health

Frequently Asked Questions

Addressing Concerns

Isn't this a tax increase?

No. It's still 6.2%. We're just removing the arbitrary cap that lets high earners stop contributing early in the year.

Will high earners stop working or evade this?

No — it's a capped, fixed percentage. And it's far more modest than uncapping the tax entirely.

Why not just cut benefits or raise the retirement age?

Because the math proves we don't have to — not if we fund the system equitably.

Isn't this politically risky?

Only if we let the status quo collapse. Americans believe in paying their share when the system is fair.

Why This Matters

This reform is not about punishment. It's about restoring a shared commitment. Everyone contributes. Everyone benefits. And no one gets to step out of line while others carry the weight.

If we want a country where retirement is earned — not eroded — we have to start here.