Social Security Plans

George W. Bush (R)

* Supports allowing younger workers to invest portion of Social Security payroll tax in private investment accounts.

* Has not ruled out supporting an increase in the retirement age.

* Supports a Social Security “lock box,” which would bar the government from spending workers’ Social Security payments on anything but Social Security.

* Opposes any government investment in private stocks or bonds.

Al Gore (D)

* Opposes letting workers invest portion of Social Security payroll tax in private investment accounts.

* Against raising the retirement age.

* Would allow mothers who stay home with young children to receive larger retirement benefits by crediting their Social Security account as if they had remained in the work force during those years. Cost: $100 billion over 10 years.

* Would increase payments to widows and widowers, whose benefits can be reduced when their spouse dies.