Yesterday, Stephen Ohlemacher of the Associated Press issued a great article reminding us of the importance and scope of the Social Security program. The article, available on-line here, is entitled “WHY IT MATTERS: Social Security.” The most refreshing part of this synopsis of Social Security’s current situation and its upcoming challenges is the article’s upbeat tone. Mr. Ohlemacher focuses on the positives of the Social Security program, and on realistic, practical changes which could be made in the near future to ensure the program’s continuing success.
Most importantly, Mr. Ohlemacher reminds us that, “[f]or millions of retired and disabled workers, Social Security is pretty much all they have to live on, even though monthly benefits are barely enough to keep them out of poverty.” This quick read gives an essential overview of how Social Security works, but it also points out that “nearly every U.S. family” is affected by this program somehow. Tens of millions of Americans and their families rely on Social Security, and it’s energizing to read an article that doesn’t demonize the program or its recipients, but instead adopts a can-do attitude about keeping the program accessible for generations to come.
