White House calls for Social Security talks

This hasn't gotten a ton of attention, but the budget includes a pretty explicit call for Congress and the administration to commence talks on Social Security reform. The administration even lays out its starting position:

The President believes that we should come together now, in bipartisan fashion, to strengthen Social Security for the future. He calls on the Congress to follow the example of great party leaders in the past — such as Speaker Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. and President Ronald Reagan — and work in a bipartisan fashion to strengthen Social Security for years to come. Guiding the Administration in these talks will be the President's six principles for reform:

• Any reform should strengthen Social Security for future generations and restore long-term solvency.

• The Administration will oppose any measures that privatize or weaken the Social Security system.

• While all measures to strengthen solvency should be on the table, the Administration will not accept an approach that slashes benefits for future generations.

• No current beneficiaries should see their basic benefits reduced.

• Reform should strengthen retirement security for the most vulnerable, including low-income seniors.

• Reform should maintain robust disability and survivors' benefits.

For an idea of the kind of reform they're talking about, check out the proposal Christian Weller produced for the Center for American Progress.