Latest Fact-checks in Social Security Clear Any Rating True Mostly True Half True Mostly False False Pants on Fire Full Flop Half Flip No Flip Any Speaker Any Date Range Last 3 Months Last 6 Months Last 12 Months 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Any Category Saxby Chambliss stated on April 23, 2012 in a speech: Each U.S. House member who voted to overhaul Social Security in 1983 was re-elected. Frank Wolf stated on February 17, 2012 in a news release: "In 1950, the average American lived for 68 years and 16 workers supported one retiree. Today, the average life expectancy is 78 and three workers support one retiree." Rick Santorum stated on March 6, 2012 in a campaign speech in Steubenville, Ohio: "A little less than 50 percent of the people in this country depend on some form of federal payment, some form of government benefit to help provide for them." Rick Santorum stated on February 22, 2012 in a Republican presidential debate in Mesa, Ariz.: "When I was born, less than 10 percent of the federal budget was entitlement spending. It's now 60 percent of the budget." Chris Redfern stated on February 15, 2012 in a news release: Says Mitt Romney supports a plan "to slowly and gradually raise the retirement age of Social Security." Kurt Schrader stated on February 2, 2012 in congressional website : In just a few decades, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, other mandatory spending programs, and paying interest due on the debt will eclipse our entire budget. Rob Cornilles stated on January 10, 2012 in a debate: Rob Cornilles has disputed for two years a news story that said he said he would cut Social Security and Medicare programs before trimming the U.S. defense budget. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee stated on December 9, 2011 in a telephone campaign: Says Rep. Jim Renacci was "trying to leave town for the holidays without extending your payroll tax cut." John Boehner stated on December 1, 2011 in a news conference: "The Social Security trust fund … is already facing imminent bankruptcy." Newt Gingrich stated on November 22, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Washington, D.C.: In Chile "they have 72 percent of the GDP in savings." Kathleen Connell stated on October 26, 2011 in a hearing: "Sixty-percent of the state retirees...don’t get Social Security.’’ Herman Cain stated on October 4, 2011: "Current projections indicate that Medicare will go bankrupt by 2017, while Social Security will bottom out by 2037." Steve Lonegan stated on October 1, 2011 in an interview on News 12 New Jersey’s Power & Politics show: "Today, the Social Security system is broke." John Boehner stated on September 19, 2011 in a television interview: "We have 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day." Rick Perry stated on September 22, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Orlando: Says he never said he wanted to move Social Security "back to the states." Rick Perry stated on September 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Tampa, Florida.: Says Mitt Romney wrote that if Social Security was done "in the private sector, it would be called criminal." Rachel Maddow stated on September 19, 2011 in on "The Rachel Maddow Show": "Poverty among Americans 65 and over is statistically unchanged" in recent years because of Social Security. Herman Cain stated on September 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate: "Today, when people retire in Galveston County, Texas, they retire making at least 50 percent more than they would ever get out of Social Security." Mitt Romney stated on September 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate: Says that in his book, Rick Perry said that "Social Security is unconstitutional." Rick Perry stated on September 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate: Social Security is a "Ponzi scheme." Mitt Romney stated on September 12, 2011 in the CNN-Tea Party Express debate in Tampa: "In writing his book, Gov. Perry pointed out that … by any measure Social Security has been a failure." Ed Schultz stated on August 25, 2011 in MSNBC's the "Ed Show," Aug. 25, 2011: "In (Sen. Marco) Rubio's state of Florida alone, Social Security lifts more than -- count it -- a million people out of poverty." Margaret Carlson stated on August 9, 2011 in a politics column.: Rick Perry "has advocated abandoning Social Security, scuttling Medicaid and ending the federal income tax." Marco Rubio stated on August 23, 2011 in a speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: "When Social Security first started, there was 16 workers for every retiree. Today there are three workers for every retiree and soon there will be only two for every retiree." Barry Hinckley stated on July 24, 2011 in an appearance on Channel 6: "There's no money in Social Security." Dennis Kucinich stated on July 15, 2011 in a speech in the House of Representatives: "Social Security didn’t cause the debt crisis. Social Security had nothing to do with the debt crisis." Alliance for Retired Americans stated on July 12, 2011 in an email blast: "Social Security doesn’t contribute a penny to the deficit." Barack Obama stated on July 12, 2011 in an interview with CBS News: Social Security and other federal checks may not go out on Aug. 3 if the debt ceiling is not increased. Newt Gingrich stated on June 15, 2011 in in an interview on the “The Neal Boortz Radio Show” on Atlanta’s AM 750 and 95.5 FM : Every 10th dollar spent by the Social Security Administration on its program for the poor is "waste, or fraud, they can’t validate that the people should have gotten it," totaling about $8 billion a year. Herman Cain stated on June 13, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate: Says an alternative to Social Security that operates in Galveston County, Texas, has meant that participants will "retire with a whole lot more money" than under Social Security.
Clear Any Rating True Mostly True Half True Mostly False False Pants on Fire Full Flop Half Flip No Flip Any Speaker Any Date Range Last 3 Months Last 6 Months Last 12 Months 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Any Category
Saxby Chambliss stated on April 23, 2012 in a speech: Each U.S. House member who voted to overhaul Social Security in 1983 was re-elected. Frank Wolf stated on February 17, 2012 in a news release: "In 1950, the average American lived for 68 years and 16 workers supported one retiree. Today, the average life expectancy is 78 and three workers support one retiree." Rick Santorum stated on March 6, 2012 in a campaign speech in Steubenville, Ohio: "A little less than 50 percent of the people in this country depend on some form of federal payment, some form of government benefit to help provide for them." Rick Santorum stated on February 22, 2012 in a Republican presidential debate in Mesa, Ariz.: "When I was born, less than 10 percent of the federal budget was entitlement spending. It's now 60 percent of the budget." Chris Redfern stated on February 15, 2012 in a news release: Says Mitt Romney supports a plan "to slowly and gradually raise the retirement age of Social Security." Kurt Schrader stated on February 2, 2012 in congressional website : In just a few decades, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, other mandatory spending programs, and paying interest due on the debt will eclipse our entire budget. Rob Cornilles stated on January 10, 2012 in a debate: Rob Cornilles has disputed for two years a news story that said he said he would cut Social Security and Medicare programs before trimming the U.S. defense budget. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee stated on December 9, 2011 in a telephone campaign: Says Rep. Jim Renacci was "trying to leave town for the holidays without extending your payroll tax cut." John Boehner stated on December 1, 2011 in a news conference: "The Social Security trust fund … is already facing imminent bankruptcy." Newt Gingrich stated on November 22, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Washington, D.C.: In Chile "they have 72 percent of the GDP in savings." Kathleen Connell stated on October 26, 2011 in a hearing: "Sixty-percent of the state retirees...don’t get Social Security.’’ Herman Cain stated on October 4, 2011: "Current projections indicate that Medicare will go bankrupt by 2017, while Social Security will bottom out by 2037." Steve Lonegan stated on October 1, 2011 in an interview on News 12 New Jersey’s Power & Politics show: "Today, the Social Security system is broke." John Boehner stated on September 19, 2011 in a television interview: "We have 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day." Rick Perry stated on September 22, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Orlando: Says he never said he wanted to move Social Security "back to the states." Rick Perry stated on September 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Tampa, Florida.: Says Mitt Romney wrote that if Social Security was done "in the private sector, it would be called criminal." Rachel Maddow stated on September 19, 2011 in on "The Rachel Maddow Show": "Poverty among Americans 65 and over is statistically unchanged" in recent years because of Social Security. Herman Cain stated on September 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate: "Today, when people retire in Galveston County, Texas, they retire making at least 50 percent more than they would ever get out of Social Security." Mitt Romney stated on September 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate: Says that in his book, Rick Perry said that "Social Security is unconstitutional." Rick Perry stated on September 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate: Social Security is a "Ponzi scheme." Mitt Romney stated on September 12, 2011 in the CNN-Tea Party Express debate in Tampa: "In writing his book, Gov. Perry pointed out that … by any measure Social Security has been a failure." Ed Schultz stated on August 25, 2011 in MSNBC's the "Ed Show," Aug. 25, 2011: "In (Sen. Marco) Rubio's state of Florida alone, Social Security lifts more than -- count it -- a million people out of poverty." Margaret Carlson stated on August 9, 2011 in a politics column.: Rick Perry "has advocated abandoning Social Security, scuttling Medicaid and ending the federal income tax." Marco Rubio stated on August 23, 2011 in a speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: "When Social Security first started, there was 16 workers for every retiree. Today there are three workers for every retiree and soon there will be only two for every retiree." Barry Hinckley stated on July 24, 2011 in an appearance on Channel 6: "There's no money in Social Security." Dennis Kucinich stated on July 15, 2011 in a speech in the House of Representatives: "Social Security didn’t cause the debt crisis. Social Security had nothing to do with the debt crisis." Alliance for Retired Americans stated on July 12, 2011 in an email blast: "Social Security doesn’t contribute a penny to the deficit." Barack Obama stated on July 12, 2011 in an interview with CBS News: Social Security and other federal checks may not go out on Aug. 3 if the debt ceiling is not increased. Newt Gingrich stated on June 15, 2011 in in an interview on the “The Neal Boortz Radio Show” on Atlanta’s AM 750 and 95.5 FM : Every 10th dollar spent by the Social Security Administration on its program for the poor is "waste, or fraud, they can’t validate that the people should have gotten it," totaling about $8 billion a year. Herman Cain stated on June 13, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate: Says an alternative to Social Security that operates in Galveston County, Texas, has meant that participants will "retire with a whole lot more money" than under Social Security.
Saxby Chambliss stated on April 23, 2012 in a speech: Each U.S. House member who voted to overhaul Social Security in 1983 was re-elected.
Frank Wolf stated on February 17, 2012 in a news release: "In 1950, the average American lived for 68 years and 16 workers supported one retiree. Today, the average life expectancy is 78 and three workers support one retiree."
Rick Santorum stated on March 6, 2012 in a campaign speech in Steubenville, Ohio: "A little less than 50 percent of the people in this country depend on some form of federal payment, some form of government benefit to help provide for them."
Rick Santorum stated on February 22, 2012 in a Republican presidential debate in Mesa, Ariz.: "When I was born, less than 10 percent of the federal budget was entitlement spending. It's now 60 percent of the budget."
Chris Redfern stated on February 15, 2012 in a news release: Says Mitt Romney supports a plan "to slowly and gradually raise the retirement age of Social Security."
Kurt Schrader stated on February 2, 2012 in congressional website : In just a few decades, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, other mandatory spending programs, and paying interest due on the debt will eclipse our entire budget.
Rob Cornilles stated on January 10, 2012 in a debate: Rob Cornilles has disputed for two years a news story that said he said he would cut Social Security and Medicare programs before trimming the U.S. defense budget.
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee stated on December 9, 2011 in a telephone campaign: Says Rep. Jim Renacci was "trying to leave town for the holidays without extending your payroll tax cut."
John Boehner stated on December 1, 2011 in a news conference: "The Social Security trust fund … is already facing imminent bankruptcy."
Newt Gingrich stated on November 22, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Washington, D.C.: In Chile "they have 72 percent of the GDP in savings."
Kathleen Connell stated on October 26, 2011 in a hearing: "Sixty-percent of the state retirees...don’t get Social Security.’’
Herman Cain stated on October 4, 2011: "Current projections indicate that Medicare will go bankrupt by 2017, while Social Security will bottom out by 2037."
Steve Lonegan stated on October 1, 2011 in an interview on News 12 New Jersey’s Power & Politics show: "Today, the Social Security system is broke."
John Boehner stated on September 19, 2011 in a television interview: "We have 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day."
Rick Perry stated on September 22, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Orlando: Says he never said he wanted to move Social Security "back to the states."
Rick Perry stated on September 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Tampa, Florida.: Says Mitt Romney wrote that if Social Security was done "in the private sector, it would be called criminal."
Rachel Maddow stated on September 19, 2011 in on "The Rachel Maddow Show": "Poverty among Americans 65 and over is statistically unchanged" in recent years because of Social Security.
Herman Cain stated on September 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate: "Today, when people retire in Galveston County, Texas, they retire making at least 50 percent more than they would ever get out of Social Security."
Mitt Romney stated on September 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate: Says that in his book, Rick Perry said that "Social Security is unconstitutional."
Rick Perry stated on September 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate: Social Security is a "Ponzi scheme."
Mitt Romney stated on September 12, 2011 in the CNN-Tea Party Express debate in Tampa: "In writing his book, Gov. Perry pointed out that … by any measure Social Security has been a failure."
Ed Schultz stated on August 25, 2011 in MSNBC's the "Ed Show," Aug. 25, 2011: "In (Sen. Marco) Rubio's state of Florida alone, Social Security lifts more than -- count it -- a million people out of poverty."
Margaret Carlson stated on August 9, 2011 in a politics column.: Rick Perry "has advocated abandoning Social Security, scuttling Medicaid and ending the federal income tax."
Marco Rubio stated on August 23, 2011 in a speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: "When Social Security first started, there was 16 workers for every retiree. Today there are three workers for every retiree and soon there will be only two for every retiree."
Barry Hinckley stated on July 24, 2011 in an appearance on Channel 6: "There's no money in Social Security."
Dennis Kucinich stated on July 15, 2011 in a speech in the House of Representatives: "Social Security didn’t cause the debt crisis. Social Security had nothing to do with the debt crisis."
Alliance for Retired Americans stated on July 12, 2011 in an email blast: "Social Security doesn’t contribute a penny to the deficit."
Barack Obama stated on July 12, 2011 in an interview with CBS News: Social Security and other federal checks may not go out on Aug. 3 if the debt ceiling is not increased.
Newt Gingrich stated on June 15, 2011 in in an interview on the “The Neal Boortz Radio Show” on Atlanta’s AM 750 and 95.5 FM : Every 10th dollar spent by the Social Security Administration on its program for the poor is "waste, or fraud, they can’t validate that the people should have gotten it," totaling about $8 billion a year.
Herman Cain stated on June 13, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate: Says an alternative to Social Security that operates in Galveston County, Texas, has meant that participants will "retire with a whole lot more money" than under Social Security.
