1.   Or Decide, in those gray areas, whether something is a tax increase or a benefit cut?

2.   A panel of young Americans declared their willingness to see Social Security benefits cut in exchange for the opportunity to direct their own investments.

3.   Bush reiterated that no current beneficiaries would have their benefits cut.

4.   Former presidents have seen their benefits cut in the past.

5.   Members also insisted that current beneficiaries need not worry about having their benefits cut.

6.   Ms. Gikes also worried about seeing her benefits cut.

7.   Politicians are happy to oblige by promising not to cut benefits, raise taxes or alter programs in any way except by expanding them.

8.   Six members wanted to maintain the current system pretty much as it is, through a series of small tax hikes and modest benefit cuts.

9.   Teachers in the district are furious at the class size increase and health benefit cuts, said John Perez, president of United Teachers Los Angeles.

10.   The fact that more people have not had benefits cut is less a reflection of compliance than of lenience by caseworkers, according to officials and recipients.