Social Security & Medicare

short readsJan 13, 2017

More Americans say government should ensure health care coverage

As the debate continues over repeal of the Affordable Care Act and what might replace it, a growing share of Americans believe that the federal government has a responsibility to make sure all Americans have health care coverage.
short readsAug 18, 2015

5 facts about Social Security

Social Security has developed into one of the most popular federal programs, though that popularity is tempered by concern over its long-term financial outlook.
short readsApr 18, 2014

Generational equity and the ‘Next America’

A few critics have portrayed our report as an effort to foment a “generational war” over Social Security and Medicare. Let me respond.
short readsMar 7, 2014

6 new findings about Millennials

Key takeaways from the Pew Research Center survey, “Millennials in Adulthood.”
short readsFeb 12, 2014

As the population grays, Americans stay upbeat

Only about one-in-four Americans say the growing number of older people is a major problem for the country.
reportDec 19, 2013

In Deficit Debate, Public Resists Cuts in Entitlements and Aid to Poor

Survey Report As President Obama prepares to sign a bipartisan budget agreement that its proponents describe as a modest step toward addressing the deficit, the public shows little appetite for making some of the spending cuts often discussed as part of a broader “grand bargain” on the budget. The latest national survey by the Pew […]
short readsMay 8, 2013

A Majority of Americans Have Received Benefits from Federal Entitlement Programs

More than half of Americans have received government benefits at some point from a major federal entitlement program.
short readsApr 10, 2013

Public Still Unwilling to Cut Entitlement Benefits to Reduce Deficit

A majority of Americans say keeping Social Security and Medicare benefits as they are is more important than cutting the deficit
reportFeb 22, 2013

As Sequester Deadline Looms, Little Support for Cutting Most Programs

Overview As the March 1 deadline for a possible budget sequester approaches, a new national survey finds limited public support for reducing spending for a range of specific programs, including defense, entitlements, education and health care. For 18 of 19 programs tested, majorities want either to increase spending or maintain it at current levels. The […]
reportJan 22, 2013

Obama’s Second Term Goals and Public Opinion

President Obama on Monday laid out his second term priorities, naming a range of issues: the social safety net, entitlement programs, income inequality, climate change, gay rights and immigration reform. Here is what our surveys have found about public opinion on these topics.