Saving Social Security

It is the greatest social program ever created and has served the most people in the most efficient way for more than 83 years. It is the most important, sustained legislation in U.S. history and in the history of the world, designed for the people, by the people and to the benefit of everyone. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act on Aug. 14, 1935, in the midst of the Great Depression, and taxes for it were first collected beginning in January 1937. Regular ongoing monthly benefits started in January 1940, just months before the start of U.S. involvement in World War II. It was a cataclysmic time in historic proportions and now, many decades later, Americans face serious choices about how to adjust Social Security for sustainability, now and in the next few years and beyond for generations to come. Congress must make decisions, now, in advance with careful planning, communication and understanding, or later, when funding shortfalls dictate rapid change, including more immediate cuts in benefits and increased costs for hospitalizations. The numbers do not lie. Studies show that Medicare will run short in just a few short years, and, if that happens, recipients — anyone older than 65 — will likely be facing the prospect of paying thousands more each year for medical care or going without. Monthly benefits cuts also could happen if nothing is done if Congress fails to act or acts in an irresponsible way. Both sides, Democrats and Republicans, must put down the weaponization of Social Security and Medicare. The sustainability of these programs are key to the American way of life. These aren't giveaways. Recipients pay into both programs their entire working lives. Our elected representatives in Washington in both houses must lay down their verbal firepower at each other and negotiate in good faith. Congress must reauthorize Social Security and Medicare with a mandate to be solvent and sustainable. * Plan to attend Boccia Kaptur Richtman Want to go? What: The Future of Social Security Retirement Income and Medicare Part A forumWhen: 10-11:30 a.m. April 12Where: Cedar Point Center Building, BGSU Firelands, 1 University Drive, Huron Speakers: U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo; Max Richtman, director of the National Commission for the Preservation of Social Security and Medicare; Liz Skrinal, a certified financial planner with True Alpha Wealth Management; and Romina Boccia, director of budget and entitlement policy at the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C.How: Call 419-624-1856, leave a message with names of who will be attending and a contact phone number or email to mail@servingourseniors.org listing names of who will be attending and a contact phone number. Listen: What the conversation really means: What happens if Congress does nothing?