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ISHPEMING -- It's not a done deal, but the President and Congressional leaders have reached an agreement to raise the debt ceiling and avoid default.

"I'm glad to see that the President and Congressional leaders have moved past the fear mongering and bickering that has rightly frustrated the American people," said Congressman Dan Benishek. "While I am still reviewing the details of this agreement, I am hopeful that the debate will reassure the world financial markets that this country will continue to pay its bills."

In a short period of time, they've got a lot to think about in Washington, but all U.P. seniors can think about is their Social Security.  Some feared their checks would stop if the government defaults.

"It's frightening, it really is," said Ishpeming senior, Joanne Gaboury.  "When your Social Security check is more than you make in retirement, you depend a lot on that for your daily needs and so forth, and it's scary."

But the latest deal doesn't mention anything about Social Security, and for now it looks like checks will arrive on time for recipients.  What the deal does include...about a trillion dollars in cuts, now raising the debt ceiling almost that much. 

Some seniors say they have faith; they don't fear those cuts will come from their Social Security.

"I don't think the people in charge are going to allow it," said Ishpeming senior, Ray Lenton.

Others just think the government is using Social Security as a pawn in the ongoing debt limit game.

"I think sometimes they're doing scare tactics, and they're trying to scare you and then nothing ever happens," said Ishpeming senior, Charlotte Sundberg.