Expanding social security is an undefined term, but includes broadening the program to cover new benefits and classes of beneficiaries.

Last month, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) and their progressive allies joined together to promote the idea of expanding Social Security as a way to help retirees who are struggling to make ends meet.

While the concept of more benefits is always appealing to voters, there is little consensus on the meaning of the phrase “Expand Social Security.” In 2016, then-candidate Hillary Clinton believed it meant helping spouses and widows. Sanders’ proposal would provide significant support for future retirees, but would give current retirees virtually nothing. Larson, on the other hand, has proposed helping current retirees, somewhat at the expense of future retirees. (Republicans, meanwhile, have their own ideas for using Social Security to cover maternity leave or to pay student loans.)

While we do not have a clear consensus what “expand” Social Security means, it is evident that any changes won’t address the root cause of lower benefit levels: early retirement rules that have encouraged a majority of workers to lower their own benefit checks.