50th anniversary archive

View from the Mountains

By DOROTHY WRIGHT
Posted 1/29/25

Published December 20, 1979

Social Security. Is the system really in trouble as some reports from Washington would indicate? They say it could go bankrupt as early as 1983. If this is so, what …

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50th anniversary archive

View from the Mountains

Posted

Published December 20, 1979

Social Security. Is the system really in trouble as some reports from Washington would indicate? They say it could go bankrupt as early as 1983. If this is so, what would cause a system that has been fiscally sound since its introduction by President Roosevelt in 1935 to fail? 

Let’s consider some facts.

  1. Today Americans are living longer thanks to advances in medical science. There are millions over 65.
  2. Benefits have been broadened to include dependents and survivors.
  3. Many who would have been on welfare rolls entered the SSA. 
  4. Minimum retirement age was lowered from 65 to 62 thereby re­moving many from employment rolls to SS rolls.
  5. The medicare health insurance system for the elderly was added. 

Considering all of the above, I still cannot understand why the SSA cannot remain sound financially. It is not and never has been charity. The millions of workers who have paid into the system are certainly due their monies. 

Suggestions have been made to raise the full retirement age to 68. This would increase the revenues but certainly decrease the benefits paid out. How many years would most of us have left after 68? 

I do agree with those who suggest that all workers belong to the system. It is reported that members of Congress and their staffs are excluded from S.S. tax. So are nearly six million other federal, state and local employees who have their own pension plan. 

I don’t have the solutions to all our country’s problems, but this is one that has to be resolved. Too many lives are dependent upon it. With the billions we waste on foreign aid, cold wars, space studies, meaningless research, etc. surely some of our vast wealth could be channeled into the coffers of our senior citizens. They deserve some financial security in their retiring years.

Dorothy Wright, a Luxton Lake resident, wrote this opinion column in 1979. She was very active in the Tusten Senior Citizen’s Club, which, in its heyday, was filled with renowned jazz artists and hosted meetings on Friday afternoons where the more than 40 members gathered around the piano. The active group also hosted a bingo table at the two-day annual Oktoberfest.

social security, washington, older, americans, ssa, retirement

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