Democratic Congresswoman Melissa Bean is largely opposed to privatizing Social Security, while top challenger David McSweeney says it is the only way to fix an ailing system.

Despite recently falling out of the national spotlight, the proposal aimed at ensuring Social Security remains viable is proving a key dividing line in the battle for the 8th Congressional District seat.

Bean opposed President Bush's plan to divert Social Security taxes into individual private accounts for workers. The proposal drew national attention to the solvency of Social Security, but Congress refused to go along. Bean said the proposal lacked the trillions of dollars needed to ensure payments for those already in the system.

He wants Social Security to act as an insurance policy. If people retire with a certain amount of income, then they would be paid back a portion of their taxes and not get Social Security payments. Those making under the threshold would receive payments. He didn't define the threshold.

McSweeney also is eyeing a new proposal to put aside Social Security surpluses for private accounts that can invest only in U.S. bonds and treasury notes. The system, he said, would keep the cash within the government while promising a higher rate of return.

All of the candidates advocate putting aside the annual Social Security surplus to keep the system solvent longer. Currently, that cash, estimated at about $150 billion yearly, is spent on other programs.

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