Jon Lieber, head of Eurasia Group's coverage of political and policy developments in Washington, DC shares his perspective on US politics.

Is Congress considering changes to Social Security?

No. Social Security's been in the news this week because of a record high adjustment to retirees’ benefits that's set to take place next year. Social Security benefits are indexed to inflation, and with inflation running at over 8% over the last year, seniors are going to get a cost of living adjustment equal to 8.7%. This is the largest increase since 1981 and comes after nearly a decade where Social Security benefits were nearly flat because inflation has been so low and stable. Inflation is continuing to run out of control at the moment, with rent prices and food prices rising at record rates, but this is not the only reason that Social Security's in the news. President Biden and other Democrats are campaigning on the premise that Republicans are set to put Social Security benefits "on the chopping block" should they win in the November elections.