PRINCETON, N.J., July 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Social Security system is unstable and in serious danger and the wealthy must help save it, a national public-opinion poll indicated Thursday.
Seventy-seven percent of Americans say they believe the retirement, disability and survivors' benefits program "is in a state of crisis" or "has major problems," a Gallup poll indicated.
Breaking down the 77 percent, 26 percent say the program is in a state of crisis, the highest in Gallup's 12-year history of asking the question. The first time Gallup asked, 15 percent said the program was in a crisis.
Twenty percent say Social Security "has minor problems" and 1 percent say "it does not have any problems," the poll, which Gallup did with USA Today, suggested.
Of six possible ways of addressing Social Security's long-term funding challenges, most Americans favor two, both of which would affect only wealthy Americans.
Sixty-seven percent think "higher-income workers" should pay Social Security taxes on all their wages, with 60 percent of Republicans, 64 percent of independents and 79 percent of Democrats agreeing with the idea, the poll found.
Sixty-three percent want to limit benefits for wealthy retirees, with 55 percent of Republicans, 63 percent of independents and 71 percent of Democrats agreeing.
A minority favor increasing taxes, reducing most people's benefits or increasing the age at which most people are eligible to receive full retirement benefits.
The July 8-11 poll of 1,020 adults age 18 and older living in the continental United States has a margin of error of 4 percentage points, Gallup said.
