President Barack Obama on Wednesday called for an expansion of Social Security benefits, saying that the program was more necessary than ever to support an aging population.

Speaking at a high school in Elkhart, Indiana, Obama noted there are some Americans who don’t have retirement savings and those who might not be able to save money because they are unable to pay the bills.

“We can’t afford to weaken Social Security, we should be strengthening Social Security,” Obama said. “And not only do we need to strengthen its long term health, it’s time we finally made Social Security more generous and increased its benefits so today’s retirees and future generations get the dignified retirement that they have earned.”

Obama suggested the country pay for expanding Social Security by asking the “wealthiest Americans to contribute a little bit more.”

“They can afford it,” he added. “I can afford it.”