President Bush’s proposal to deeply cut benefits for some Americans to restore solvency to Social Security isn’t an easy sell for lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle. Nor is it what many retirees want to hear about their golden years.

South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a leader in the Social Security debate who supports Bush’s idea ” called it a “gut check time for both parties.”

Bush ended his “60 day, 60 cities” tour last Sunday but will be out stumping this week to convince the American people that the 70-year-old retirement plan needs fixing and he has the way the do it.

Will trimming benefits from the wealthier retirees bring about Social Security’s long-term solvency?

Guests:

Howard Gleckman, senior correspondent BusinesssWeek magazine

Robert Pozen Chairman of MFS Investment Management in Boston, former president of Fidelity Management & Research Company — and was part of President George Bush’s Commission to Strengthen Social Security from 2000- 2002

Brad Delong, professor of economics at University of California Berkeley

Kent Smetters, professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania