Yes, Social Security IS an entitlement program
The word “entitlement” gets a bad rap when it comes to Social Security. People think it’s a denigration of the program which provides benefits to 64 million Americans. Entitlement conjures up getting something one doesn’t deserve. Alessandra Malito explains in this MarketWatch piece that the term is really nothing more than so-called “government speak” for mandatory spending, spending that cannot be cut without changing the law. She explains that yes people are “entitled” to their benefit as they have indeed earned it. Read full piece here.
The Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) believes Social Security must be preserved and modernized. This can be achieved by making modest changes in cost of living adjustments and the retirement age, with no additional taxes on workers. AMAC advocates for a bipartisan compromise, “The Social Security Guarantee Act,” taking selected portions of bills introduced by former Rep. Johnson (R-TX) and current Rep. Larson (D-CT) and merging them with the Association’s own well researched ideas. One component is Social Security PLUS, a new, voluntary plan that would allow all earners to have more income available at retirement. This component is intended to appeal especially to younger workers. AMAC is resolute in its mission that Social Security be preserved and modernized and has gotten the attention of lawmakers in DC, meeting with a great many congressional offices and their staffs over the past several years. Read AMAC’s plan here.