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 Barack Obama stated on August 14, 2010 in his weekly address: "Some Republican leaders in Congress" are "pushing to make privatizing Social Security a key part of their legislative agenda if they win a majority in Congress this fall." Eddie Bernice Johnson stated on August 10, 2010 in a speech on the House floor.: "In 1935, more than 50% of the elderly population lived in poverty. Today that poverty rate stands officially at 9.4%." Sarah Palin stated on June 30, 2010 in a Facebook posting: "We spend three times more on entitlements and debt services than we do on defense." Ron Klein stated on June 28, 2010 in a fundraising e-mail: "West has raised $2 million from those that would leave our beaches in ruins, end Social Security and Medicare, and give corporations free reign." Harry Reid stated on June 12, 2010 in a campaign commercial: "Sharron Angle wants to wipe out Social Security." Michele Bachmann stated on June 11, 2010: "Social Security, like I told you, is out of money. This year it is borrowing from the general treasury." Paul Ryan stated on March 31, 2010 in a speech to the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs: In 2004, "20 percent of U.S. households were getting about 75 percent of their income from the federal government. ... Another 20 percent were receiving almost 40 percent." Marco Rubio stated on March 28, 2010 in a U.S. Senate primary debate on FOX News Sunday: "Just this week we received the news that for the first time Social Security is now paying out more in benefits than it's taking in. That was something that was supposed to happen in 2016." Glenn Beck stated on February 16, 2010 in comments on his television show: "When Social Security started, age expectancy for the average man was 58. It was 62 -- 62 for women." Florida Democratic Party stated on February 3, 2010 in a press release: "Congressman McCollum voted to dismantle Social Security." Americans United for Change stated on February 18, 2010 in a radio ad: "Congresswoman Bachmann actually said we should be 'weaned' off our Social Security and Medicare. She wants to privatize Social Security and replace Medicare with some kind of voucher system." Chain email stated on January 21, 2010 in a chain e-mail: Members of Congress passed a pay raise for themselves of $10,000 over two years even as they voted not to raise Social Security benefits for 2010 and 2011. Chain email stated on September 28, 2009 in a chain e-mail: "For the first time in history, the Democratic Congress will not allow an increase in the social security COLA (cost of living adjustment)." Republican Party of Florida stated on October 22, 2008 in campaign direct mail: Barack Obama will "raise Social Security taxes." Hillary Clinton stated on August 26, 2008 in Denver: "John McCain wants to privatize Social Security." Barack Obama stated on June 13, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio: "When he was asked a few years ago whether he could see himself lifting the cap on the payroll tax, (McCain) said, 'I could.' But today he's attacking me for holding the very same position." Democratic National Committee stated on June 13, 2008 in a Web ad: John McCain says he never supported the privatization of Social Security, even though video shows he did. Barack Obama stated on May 18, 2008 in a speech in Gresham, Ore.: "Privatizing Social Security was a bad idea when George W. Bush proposed it. It's a bad idea today. Sen. McCain's campaign went even further ... suggesting ... to cut cost-of-living adjustments or to raise the retirement age."
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
Barack Obama stated on August 14, 2010 in his weekly address: "Some Republican leaders in Congress" are "pushing to make privatizing Social Security a key part of their legislative agenda if they win a majority in Congress this fall." Eddie Bernice Johnson stated on August 10, 2010 in a speech on the House floor.: "In 1935, more than 50% of the elderly population lived in poverty. Today that poverty rate stands officially at 9.4%." Sarah Palin stated on June 30, 2010 in a Facebook posting: "We spend three times more on entitlements and debt services than we do on defense." Ron Klein stated on June 28, 2010 in a fundraising e-mail: "West has raised $2 million from those that would leave our beaches in ruins, end Social Security and Medicare, and give corporations free reign." Harry Reid stated on June 12, 2010 in a campaign commercial: "Sharron Angle wants to wipe out Social Security." Michele Bachmann stated on June 11, 2010: "Social Security, like I told you, is out of money. This year it is borrowing from the general treasury." Paul Ryan stated on March 31, 2010 in a speech to the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs: In 2004, "20 percent of U.S. households were getting about 75 percent of their income from the federal government. ... Another 20 percent were receiving almost 40 percent." Marco Rubio stated on March 28, 2010 in a U.S. Senate primary debate on FOX News Sunday: "Just this week we received the news that for the first time Social Security is now paying out more in benefits than it's taking in. That was something that was supposed to happen in 2016." Glenn Beck stated on February 16, 2010 in comments on his television show: "When Social Security started, age expectancy for the average man was 58. It was 62 -- 62 for women." Florida Democratic Party stated on February 3, 2010 in a press release: "Congressman McCollum voted to dismantle Social Security." Americans United for Change stated on February 18, 2010 in a radio ad: "Congresswoman Bachmann actually said we should be 'weaned' off our Social Security and Medicare. She wants to privatize Social Security and replace Medicare with some kind of voucher system." Chain email stated on January 21, 2010 in a chain e-mail: Members of Congress passed a pay raise for themselves of $10,000 over two years even as they voted not to raise Social Security benefits for 2010 and 2011. Chain email stated on September 28, 2009 in a chain e-mail: "For the first time in history, the Democratic Congress will not allow an increase in the social security COLA (cost of living adjustment)." Republican Party of Florida stated on October 22, 2008 in campaign direct mail: Barack Obama will "raise Social Security taxes." Hillary Clinton stated on August 26, 2008 in Denver: "John McCain wants to privatize Social Security." Barack Obama stated on June 13, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio: "When he was asked a few years ago whether he could see himself lifting the cap on the payroll tax, (McCain) said, 'I could.' But today he's attacking me for holding the very same position." Democratic National Committee stated on June 13, 2008 in a Web ad: John McCain says he never supported the privatization of Social Security, even though video shows he did. Barack Obama stated on May 18, 2008 in a speech in Gresham, Ore.: "Privatizing Social Security was a bad idea when George W. Bush proposed it. It's a bad idea today. Sen. McCain's campaign went even further ... suggesting ... to cut cost-of-living adjustments or to raise the retirement age."
Barack Obama stated on August 14, 2010 in his weekly address: "Some Republican leaders in Congress" are "pushing to make privatizing Social Security a key part of their legislative agenda if they win a majority in Congress this fall."
Eddie Bernice Johnson stated on August 10, 2010 in a speech on the House floor.: "In 1935, more than 50% of the elderly population lived in poverty. Today that poverty rate stands officially at 9.4%."
Sarah Palin stated on June 30, 2010 in a Facebook posting: "We spend three times more on entitlements and debt services than we do on defense."
Ron Klein stated on June 28, 2010 in a fundraising e-mail: "West has raised $2 million from those that would leave our beaches in ruins, end Social Security and Medicare, and give corporations free reign."
Harry Reid stated on June 12, 2010 in a campaign commercial: "Sharron Angle wants to wipe out Social Security."
Michele Bachmann stated on June 11, 2010: "Social Security, like I told you, is out of money. This year it is borrowing from the general treasury."
Paul Ryan stated on March 31, 2010 in a speech to the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs: In 2004, "20 percent of U.S. households were getting about 75 percent of their income from the federal government. ... Another 20 percent were receiving almost 40 percent."
Marco Rubio stated on March 28, 2010 in a U.S. Senate primary debate on FOX News Sunday: "Just this week we received the news that for the first time Social Security is now paying out more in benefits than it's taking in. That was something that was supposed to happen in 2016."
Glenn Beck stated on February 16, 2010 in comments on his television show: "When Social Security started, age expectancy for the average man was 58. It was 62 -- 62 for women."
Florida Democratic Party stated on February 3, 2010 in a press release: "Congressman McCollum voted to dismantle Social Security."
Americans United for Change stated on February 18, 2010 in a radio ad: "Congresswoman Bachmann actually said we should be 'weaned' off our Social Security and Medicare. She wants to privatize Social Security and replace Medicare with some kind of voucher system."
Chain email stated on January 21, 2010 in a chain e-mail: Members of Congress passed a pay raise for themselves of $10,000 over two years even as they voted not to raise Social Security benefits for 2010 and 2011.
Chain email stated on September 28, 2009 in a chain e-mail: "For the first time in history, the Democratic Congress will not allow an increase in the social security COLA (cost of living adjustment)."
Republican Party of Florida stated on October 22, 2008 in campaign direct mail: Barack Obama will "raise Social Security taxes."
Hillary Clinton stated on August 26, 2008 in Denver: "John McCain wants to privatize Social Security."
Barack Obama stated on June 13, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio: "When he was asked a few years ago whether he could see himself lifting the cap on the payroll tax, (McCain) said, 'I could.' But today he's attacking me for holding the very same position."
Democratic National Committee stated on June 13, 2008 in a Web ad: John McCain says he never supported the privatization of Social Security, even though video shows he did.
Barack Obama stated on May 18, 2008 in a speech in Gresham, Ore.: "Privatizing Social Security was a bad idea when George W. Bush proposed it. It's a bad idea today. Sen. McCain's campaign went even further ... suggesting ... to cut cost-of-living adjustments or to raise the retirement age."
