President Bush says he had good discussions while in Europe last week, and now back home is ready to push a top domestic priority, reforming the U.S. retirement system.
In his weekly radio address Saturday, Mr. Bush said he will discuss his proposals for Social Security next week in the U.S. states of New Jersey and Indiana. He says he also looks forward to discussing the issue with members of Congress.
Mr. Bush reiterated his call for voluntary personal retirement accounts that would invest in what he called a conservative mix of bond and stock funds, saying that could earn a higher rate of return than anything in the current system.
The president says he is open to all options - except raising the payroll tax rate.
Some Democrats and other opponents to the plan say the reforms are too risky, costly, and unnecessary.
