The first group he defined as those already receiving Social Security benefits and (although Buchanan did not include them, his ideological heirs would) those nearing the age when they could begin to collect. These current recipients and those close to retirement (some said within ten years; more recently politicians on the right have suggested five years) should be reassured that their benefits would not be cut. This tactic Buchanan referred to as “paying off” existing claims. The reasoning behind it is vintage public choice analysis: as the citizens most attentive to any change in the
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