U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville vowed to protect the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) and fired back at Doug Jones over a Social Security attack aimed at linking his criticism of the federal program to Alabama’s state retirement system.
Tuberville, the Republican nominee for governor, told Yellowhammer News he would not privatize RSA and instead views the state pension system as an example Washington should follow.
“And if anyone wants to know what I think about RSA; no, I wouldn’t privatize RSA. I’d hold it up as an example of what the federal government ought to do,” Tuberville said.
“Alabama has a retirement system built around contributions, investments, accountability, and a requirement that government funds what it promises its workers,” he continued. “That’s what working people ought to be able to count on, and Alabama is fortunate that our leaders demanded that kind of accountability.”
“RSA works. Social Security is headed for trouble. Doug Jones can play politics with that. I’d rather fix it.”
Jones, the Democratic nominee for governor, raised the issue during a recent Montgomery town hall saying that Tuberville has repeatedly described Social Security as a “scam” and “Ponzi scheme.”
“If Tommy Tuberville believes ‘Social Security is a scam,’ he’s coming for your state retirement,” Jones said. “He will want to privatize the state retirement system and get rid of the Retirement Systems of Alabama and put it all in the hands of people in New York that are his buddies that are donating to his campaign that can make money.”
“We’ve got to tell Tommy Tuberville: hands off RSA,” Jones added.
Tuberville rejected that argument and said his criticism is directed at Washington’s management of Social Security, not at Americans receiving benefits.
“The people receiving Social Security aren’t the problem,” Tuberville said. “I paid into Social Security for decades, just like millions of working Americans. I earned those benefits, and if you paid in, you ought to get every dime you’re promised.”
“The scam is Washington — decades of taking your money, spending it, making promises they know they can’t keep, and refusing to fix the problem before our kids and grandkids ultimately get stuck with the bill,” Tuberville said.
He pointed to projections from Social Security’s trustees showing the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, which finances retirement and survivor benefits, is expected to deplete its reserves in 2032. Without congressional action, incoming revenue would then cover approximately 78% of scheduled benefits.
“My opponent wants to attack me for telling people there’s a problem,” Tuberville said. “Well, I’d rather tell the truth and fix it before the next generation gets the bill.”
He closed by drawing a direct distinction between the two retirement systems.
“Alabama faces the numbers. Washington kicks the can down the road,” Tuberville said. “If it’s wrong, I’ll call it wrong. If it’s working, I’ll say it’s working. RSA works. Social Security is headed for trouble.”
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
