, Columnist
Social Security Can't Be a Piggy Bank for Parental Leave
The U.S. retirement system isn't strong enough to support a proposal to let new parents borrow against future benefits.
Not quite ready to retire.
Photographer: Mario Tama/Getty ImagesAs you’d expect, the speaker of the House of Representatives and the vice president were seated behind President Donald Trump during the State of the Union address last month, nodding, clapping and rising to their feet. One moment, though, was different.
When the president called for helping “working families by supporting paid family leave,” Speaker Paul Ryan and Vice President Mike Pence remained seated, unable to muster enthusiasm. Republicans have traditionally opposed government-provided paid leave, which their reticence reflected. But the Trump administration, led by first daughter Ivanka, is trying to change that.