Washington, D.C., Jun 24, 2005 - Almost every American knows that if Congress does not make changes soon, Social Security will be bankrupt by 2041 and everyone will suffer a benefit cut of more than 25%. What has not been emphasized is the effect that Social Security reform will have on women in particular. Without changes to the Social Security program, out-dated policies will continue to punish working, divorced, and widowed women.

This is because Social Security was designed in a different time, in a different era, and with a different set of American demographics in mind. In 2005, women are stuck with a Social Security program that is inherently flawed, out-dated, and biased against their needs and concerns.

Under today’s Social Security program, if a woman works and contributes to Social Security, and then takes time off to raise a family, she is penalized. This is because she can only claim the money she contributed to Social Security or spousal or widow benefits – not both. That means if a women claims her husband’s spousal benefits, she loses every penny she contributed to Social Security. That also means that if a husband and wife are both receiving their Social Security benefits and the husband dies, a woman can lose up to a third of her income. This disparity is wrong.

Today’s system is even more unfair for divorcees. If a woman divorces her husband before they are married for 10 years, she loses all rights to his spousal benefits, regardless of whether she ever worked to contribute to her own Social Security. What does this mean for a woman, who stayed home to raise children, then was divorced by her husband after 8 years?

In 2005, women are still more likely to live in poverty during their retirement years than men are. Women are also more likely to rely on Social Security to provide the majority of their retirement income. In fact, Social Security is the only source of retirement income for 29% of unmarried elderly women. Thus, Social Security’s future cash shortfalls pose a heightened and disproportionate threat to a woman’s retirement security.

Social Security has been one of the most successful programs ever created, but in today’s world, it has its flaws. As a mother and a grandmother, I recognize that Congress must fix Social Security so that it does not penalize the women who raise America’s children. I thank you for allowing me to represent Florida 5th Congressional District on this issue and look forward to hearing from you in the future.