RE: “A retirement with dignity, thanks to Social Security” [Essay, Oct. 23]:
While I am glad that Lynn Martin (along with my own grandmother and mother-in-law) are getting their Social Security, it has come to my attention that members of my generation (and those generations after mine) will not get theirs.
I base this conclusion on a Social Security statement I received last year that says in part, “the Social Security system is facing serious financial problems... Without changes, in 2033 the Social Security Trust Fund will be able to pay only about 75 cents for each dollar of scheduled benefits. We need to resolve these issues soon to [...] provide for future generations.”
In other words, I will not see my money returned to me in my later years. This comes right from my Social Security statement. It is appalling.
Of course, there is no intention to collect less money from my paycheck; there is only the reality that I will not see it returned to me in full. In effect, at this point the federal government is robbing me and future generations.
I will be forced to rely on my 401(k) since (at least for now) there is no way for the government to take it away from me.
I would love to go back in time and ask Franklin Delano Roosevelt: “Do you really expect me to believe that politicians are going to take money out of my check for all of my adult working life and then give it back to me later on?”
My friend's daughter is only 16 and just started working. I cannot help but wonder: If someone like me, who has been working for 23 years and counting, can expect only 75 cents on the dollar returned to me from Social Security, what (if anything) will she get?
Something has to be done. My Social Security statement does what a lot of politicians can't - it admits that fact. I will be watching the upcoming elections, and any of those running for office who promise to make changes to Social Security will get my vote.