Writer missed mark on Social Security

By Ken Hamm Sr., Las Vegas

Friday, May 15, 2015 | 2 a.m.

Megan McArdle — a writer on economics, business and public policy — wrote an article titled “Retirement Entitlement,” printed in the Review-Journal on April 19.

Once again we have someone writing about Social Security and how it is destroying this country. (Read between the lines.)

This person, who obviously does not or will not in the future need this paltry sum to survive, offers no solutions to fund this program. She only says the government should not be the one to find or fund a solution.

The average nonworker over the age of 65 collects $1,172 per month. The current poverty level set by the U.S. government for a single person is $972.50 per month. This is a difference of $199.50 per month. No nonworker over the age of 65 is getting rich on Social Security.

Our government finds many ways to subsidize large and small corporations; it also has created a tax program that allows corporations to move their corporate office to a foreign country in order to avoid paying income tax to this country. If we can support corporations in this manner, then we should have no problem supporting our senior citizens.

Our senior citizens have contributed to the growth and success of this nation throughout their lives. Many companies today have stopped their pension and health benefits programs for their employees, and because of this, a nonworker over 65 only has Social Security to depend on when they retire. It is easy for those who have to say they should have saved for their retirement. The next generation is being taught to do this. The older generation was too busy trying to survive.

I agree with only one thing in the article, and that is Social Security needs a solution.

It is about time to stop trying to convince a younger generation that an older generation is trying to rip them off.