(VitalNews.org) – In an op-ed at the Daily Caller, columnist Gage Klipper argues that despite the polls showing Joe Biden remaining favorable among senior citizens, the failures of his economic policies could be the issue to drive seniors away in 2024.
Citing an April article in Politico, Klipper said Joe Biden’s age mobilizes older voters in much the same way younger voters have been mobilized in recent elections. Politico reported that Biden did better among voters over 65 than any other Democrat presidential candidate since Al Gore in 2000.
Politico argued at the time that Biden’s favorability among Baby Boomers and Millennials suggests that his age is not considered a weakness among older voters.
While Klipper concedes that older voters remain loyal to Biden despite his declining health, possible influence-peddling, and incompetent foreign policy, at the end of the day, Biden’s mishandling of the economy could be the issue to turn older voters against him, particularly those dependent on Social Security.
Klipper cites the Social Security Administration’s recent announcement on its annual cost of living adjustment which increases benefits by only 3.2 percent in 2024, a far smaller increase than the last two years under Biden’s tenure when the cost of living adjustment increased by 8.7 percent in 2023 and 5.9 percent in 2022.
According to the Social Security Administration, the 3.2 percent increase in 2024 will amount to about $50 extra a month. A couple will receive an average monthly benefit of $3,033, up from $2,939 this year. Meanwhile, an individual on average will see a monthly benefit of $1,773, up from $1,718.
In short, Klipper argues, those relying on social security will find no relief from Biden’s economic failures in 2024.
According to Klipper, over 17 million seniors have incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. With only a meager adjustment to the Social Security cost of living for next year, those seniors are likely to face even more economic hardship going into the election.
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