WASHINGTON — Today, AARP Senior Vice President of Campaigns John Hishta issued the following statement on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s comments on a “backdoor to privatizing” Social Security:

"AARP condemns Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's endorsement of a "backdoor" to Social Security privatization. We have fought any and all efforts to privatize Social Security, and we will continue to.

President Trump has emphasized many times that Social Security "won't be touched," and that he is "not going to touch Social Security." This must include any and all forms of "privatization."

More than 69 million Americans rely on Social Security. Social Security is the bedrock of American retirement, lifting tens of millions of seniors out of poverty and providing an inflation-proof retirement for all.

President Trump has said that Social Security should be protected and strengthened, and his Administration needs to be clear: any form of Social Security privatization is unacceptable."

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About AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.