"In the 1960s, Social Security supported my grandparents, who never recovered from economic disaster in the Depression. In the 1990s, Social Security provided my parents a comfortable and gracious end to their lives. I hope that this system remains for the generations that follow- including my own!

As for the schemes to create personal accounts, I am not certain what stock tips Washington receives, but my own 401 (k) plan, which is invested in coservative stocks and bonds, has not kept pace with inflation for the past four years. Frankly, I wish that I had made the modest return offered by the Social Security Trust."

- Wade, San Diego

"Social Security is a safety net for the average American in their older years. It has saved me for several years now. When my husband was alive and we were raising our children we never seemed to have quite enough money to meet all the bills so we were not able to save for our retirement.

When he died, the company he worked for informe I was not eligible for his pension. I, myself, worked a total of 30 years outside the home so I have a small pension but the biggest part of my income is from Social Security."

- Sue, Citrus Heights

 

"My IRA was invested in a CD. After I turned 70 and one-half years old, I began withdrawing $300 monthly. My "financial advisor" was horrified that the money was just sitting there drawing interest. He rolled it over into mutual funds he had picked out. He said this was a much better investment. He believed the monthly payments could be taken from the dividends and that would leave the principal intact.

The first year monthly payments were $305.24. Payments held close to that for three years. During the third year, the principal began to decline. This continued until the sixth year when the principal had declined by 46%. The monthly payments had decreased to $186.63. Two years later, the monthly payments are down to $160.35- $139.65 less than when the IRA was in CDs, down 46%.

For a great many of us, Social Security- as a supplement to our pension- is the best thing we have. For many Americans it is the only pension they will ever have. Please don't take it away from us. It has worked and will continue to work if we let it."

- John, San Diego

 

"This year, my mother will turn 60 and she is not prepared financially for her eventual retirement. As my mother ages, not only will I need to support her physically and emotionally, but it looks like I will need to help her financially as well.

I am in my late 30s, single, no children, not wealthy and not making a large salary, though I am trying very hard to improve my situation. I am my mother's cushion and I am my only cushion in the future. It concerns me when economists say I will be faced with a monthly deficit under President Bush's new Social Security program. Realistically, I only have 25 to 30 years in order to secure my financial future and I am worried that is not enough time."

- Dawn, Foster City

 

"I am a disabled person, and rely absolutely on my Social Security- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, Medicare, and Medi-Cal. I live with my 74-year-old mother and she provides a home and food for me. I give her money to help pay for household expenses. I know that I am a burden on her already, and that her bank account is shrinking. If I did not have her, I don't know what I would do about shelter and food, let alone health care. If I were without her, and my SSI benefits were cut or stopped altogether, I would be totally bereft of any kind of support."

- Walter, Daly City

 

"I am 54 four years old. I have been working since I was 16. I became
self-employed about 14 years ago. For the past four years I have been planning to retire when I am 62. Part of my retirement plan was the funds I was going to receive from Social Security when I reached 62. After all since I was 16 I have been told I would be able to receive
these funds at that age.

Now we are hearing this may not be so. I believe there was a social
contract made between those of use born in the 1950's and our
government. I have in good faith worked and paid my taxes with the
belief that the government would uphold their end of the bargain, now it may be, that the contract will be radically altered for me when I am at an age where the change will only hurt me merely because I was born in 1951 rather than 1949 or 1950.

Again, I am 54 years old and trying, with great difficulty, to scrap
together some sort of reasonable retirement. I know quite a few
people who are between 50 and 54 who are very worried about their
future and what the president has in store for us."

- Richard, Potter Valley

 

"When my mother died, I was 15 years old and received a small amount of support from the Social Security Administration for child support. This money was no replacement for my mother but it was a significant resource for my father and for me, as it should be for all citizens who fall on bad circumstances. When my father retired, he had IRAs, a pension, and savings, but these were no substitute for the measured and reliable support of Social Security.

Today the IRA's are gone. His pension is next to nothing. But Social Security is still there. It is his primary means of support, without which he would not be independent, something he deeply values. My father is a veteran who helped liberate Italy. He is hardworking, and proud. He doesn't accept handouts but he does and deserves Social Security just like everyone else in this country does.

This program is one of America's most successful anti-poverty programs, and provides a safety net for everyone. George Bush's plan does nothing to ensure the solidity and security that the current system affords. And his idea calls for adding trillions of dollars to the federal debt to fund the privatization which takes more money away from the system. It's clear his view is ideologically driven with no interest in public good. Please reject the privatization proposal, defend Social Security, and support reforms that strengthen retiree benefits for the future."

- Greg, Richmond