Thomas 1

Alexis Thomas

ENGL 1302

Dr. Sterling

20 April 2017

Big Talk in America: Reforming Social Security

It has been talked about among congressmen in the white house, politicians on their

campaigns, and concerned citizens at the dinner table: the issues of taxed social security

reformation. Social security was established during the mid 1930s under the Social Security Act

and was immediately effective a few years following (FQAs). The Acts original purpose at the

time was to be a retirement program for primary workers and aid other health and welfare

programs. Since this law has been in effect, many changes have been made to it. Survivors

benefits, benefits for the retiree's spouse and childrenand disability benefits, all were added to

this law in the last seventy-five years of its existence (FQAs). Changes to this law have been

drastic just like the publics opinions on it. Given that it is taxpayers dollars that support a large

portion of Americans retirement, their voices matter even if they are pitching different tones.

Where social security comes from, where it is now, and what the future looks like for it, should

be the decision of the people.

So, who is for it and why are some against it; what do the people have to say about social

security reformation? According to polls published on Debte.org, seventy-seven percent of voters

are for social security and only twenty-two percent are against social security. A general

understanding of this battling feud is whether or not social security is worth the investment and

the legal roles that it plays in the average Americans life. Arguments about this selective topic

range from how it affects the elders in this nation to the demolishment of the law altogether.
 Thomas 2

Everyone has their suggestions on how to fix the issues at hand, especially politicians. One

could identify the divided people by their political status, Republicans are thought to be against

social security while Democrats are constantly campaigning for it.

Pro social security advocates are willing to pay for social security because they believe in its

original intentions and added benefits. Such as, to receive promising benefits for retirement, the

security of their loved ones wellbeing, and the fact that it could help others in need i.e.

disability, children of widows and widowers (Public Opinion). Not only that, but some of these

individuals are pro-social security because they have invested a large portion of their lifetime of

earnings in it; these recipients are on the brink of retirement if not currently retired. Middle aged

people also make up a large percentage of supporters because they need extra help caring for

their elderly parents; their income alone is not sufficient enough to care for both households. The

last group of supporters is the less fortunate, who live off of and/or benefit from the system

before reaching the retirement age. Ultimately, these supporting individuals perceive taxed

Social Security as a greater investment for not only themselves but others as well.

However, even people that are pro social security have reservations on how the program

should run. Several of them have different ideas as to how social security should be reformed and

recognize the systems flaws. For example, If the age of retirement isn't increased there will be

no social security payments for future generations is a statement highly supported by Social

Security advocates (Should the Social Security). There is strong support for wealthy and

working Americans to pay more into Social Security in-order to preserve it (Tucker). Supporters

believe this is the best solution, even voting for the increase of the taxed Social Security rate

(Tucker). Of the many suggestions for reforming Social Security, pro advocates have a Strong
 Thomas 3

Negative response to means testing (Tucker). The Means Test proposes that people show proof

that they need certain benefits

in-order to receive them.

Individuals that are against social security have point of views that stem from a more

modern approach, and it is on how it affects todays generation. Many of the opposing side want

to make paying optional, while some of them even suggest getting rid of Social Security

completely. Opposing voters comments on the debate, state I want my generation to have the

right to 'opt-out' entirely and Privatize this. Don't take it away, just privatize this are what

most millennials believe to be the best option; at least for them(History). They do not feel that

it is fair for them to pay for someone elses retirement while theirss is not guaranteed. Currently,

there are 2.8 workers to a retiree and is expecting to drop in the near future by 0.8 (2016

Annual). Opposing voters only complaints is not limited to them paying for an unsecured

future. They are also unhappy with the government telling them how to invest their money for

themselves and making it a requirement. These people crave a solution fast and now.

Another reason many are against social security is because of the misuse of funds by the

American government. The younger generation criticize the social security system as a pyramid

scheme. These critics contend that each generation of retirees receive benefits that exceed the

amount they paid in and that are, in fact, subsidized by the payroll taxes of current workers

(History). This raises a concern for current workers, who fear that they will not be able to

receive any money out of the system that they have paid into. Which might be why the opposing

side thinks the programs earnings are being misspent on government resources that were not

agreed upon by citizens that pay social security. Recipients of these resources below the

retirement age, do not pay into the system long enough, if at all, before they start reaping the
 Thomas 4

benefits. Thus, opponents support the Means Test because they do not believe it is right for

people to abuse the system they already do not support (History).

A compromise can be made on behalf of both parties. If supporters want to keep Social

Security then it might be beneficial if they allowed the opposing side suggestion of a Means Test

to be required. This could lower the complaints and the overall population of anti-social security

supporters because they might feel less money would be needed. Also, Social Security supporters

should really contemplate transforming the retirement program into a charity or privatize it in the

future. Social security is a sensitive topic across America and people possess strong opinions

about it. Pro advocates of social security need this program to prosper for various reason while

opposing individuals view the entire program as unconstitutional and useless to their future. Both

sides have strong yet, validated arguments as to how social security should be reformed, how it

affects the nation today, and the future generations.

 Thomas 5

Works Cited

FAQs - Social Security. Social Security History, www.ssa.gov/history/hfaq.html. Accessed 10

Apr. 2017.

History and Debate of Social Security. Debate.org, www.debate.org/social-security/. Accessed

16 Apr. 2017.

Public Opinions on Social Security. National Academy of Social Insurance,

www.nasi.org/learn/social-security/public-opinions-social-securi

Should the Social Security Retirement Age Be Higher? Debate.org, 2017,

www.debate.org/opinions/should-the-social-security-retirement-age-be-higher. Accessed

20 Apr. 2017.

THE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE FEDERAL OLD-

AGE AND SURVIVORS INSURANCE AND FEDERAL DISABILITY INSURANCE

TRUST FUNDS. Social Security Administration, U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING

OFFICE WASHINGTON, 22 June 2016, www.ssa.gov/OACT/TR/2016/tr2016.pdf.

Accessed 20 Apr. 2017.

Tucker, Jasmine V., et al. Strengthening Social Security: What Do Americans Want? National

Academy of Social Insurance,

www.nasi.org/sites/default/files/research/What_Do_Americans_Want.pdf. Accessed 20

Apr. 2017.