Democrat Presidential candidate and South Bend Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg campaigned in western Iowa today (Monday), releasing a plan to address retirement security. He stopped in Atlantic at around 3:30-p.m. at The Venue, and spoke to a crowd of 219 people, which packed the site. Buttigieg covered numerous topics during his 15 minute speech and 30 minute Q&A session, in Atlantic.  He spoke about the freedom to “retire with dignity,” and Medicare for All who want to have access to it.

Pete Buttigieg

He says he will usher in an era for older Americans that empowers everybody to age with dignity and independence. That begins, he said, with strengthening retirement. He said those on Medicare Advantage get the option to keep their plans, and “Asking more fortunate Americans to pay their fair share.” That means an income above $250,000 be taxed at the same level to pay into Social Security. Buttigieg says that will shore-up Social Security for future generations. He says 62-million Americans lack a workplace retirement account, and over one-third have less than $5,000 set aside for retirement. He proposes a Public Option 401-k that allows workers to supplement Social Security benefits if they choose. There would be a mandatory 2-to-1 employer match on contributions into the 401-k, so the typical American, he says, would have over $500,000 in the bank to live from, as they retire. When we do that, everyone in this country will be better off.”

He also proposed a Long Term Care America program that provides every senior who needs it, a $90 per day cash benefit, to go toward to cost of long-term, in-home or facility care. He said for Iowans, that would cut the average cost of care 39% for nursing facility services, and 57% for assisted living services. He also wants the public and private sectors to work together and make sure those are quality services. He said part of that includes mandating better oversight, a fully funded Ombudsman program that allows complaints and issues to come to light, and improved access to mandate that Medicaid cover home and community-based services.

Buttigieg says those who provide those care services, are under-appreciated, under-compensated, and there are not nearly enough of them. He says that’s why we need a $15 per hour minimum wage in America. He also supports make more E-15 fuel available year around, and small refinery waiver that doesn’t go to the big refineries around the world.