CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll, June 2005

This poll, conducted June 10-14, 2005, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the current presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Respondents were asked to give their opinions of President George W. Bush and his handling of the presidency, foreign policy, the situation with Iraq, terrorism, and Social Security. Those polled also expressed their opinion on various topics regarding Social Security, including its future, if it will have money available when the respondent retires, whether the Democrats, Republicans, or George W. Bush have a proposal to change Social Security, and which party was more likely to make the right decision about it. Additionally, they were asked whether it was the government's responsibility to provide a decent standard of living for the elderly. The issue of self investment in Social Security was also raised. Respondents were asked if they thought it was a good idea to allow individuals to invest portions of their Social Security taxes themselves. Other questions were asked in regards to this topic, including whether the respondent thought it would be okay if the government had to borrow two trillion dollars to set up a program in which members could invest their Social Security taxes on their own. Another question asked if the respondent was opposed to or favored tax increases to help the Social Security program. A series of questions focused on the respondent's current savings goal, any difficulty in paying bills, and plans for retirement was also queried. Demographic variables include race, sex, age, level of education, income, voter registration status, political ideology, party affiliation, marital status, religious affiliation, and whether a member of the household is in college.