Social Security Congressional Debate Set for September"We have made tremendous progress in just five months as the debate is now shifting to the contents of the retirement security legislation to be voted on instead of whether this vote is needed at all. "When President Bush began to discuss the need for reform in February, conventional wisdom in Washington said that he would get very little traction on the issue. That has been proven wrong. It is clear that the need for reform has made an impression upon the American people. Americans understand that the system is in financial trouble and they expect Congress to address the issue." Americans Want Personal Retirement Accounts Now
"With the Social Security system in the shape that it is, it is important for America's young workers to have the option of protecting their future by enrolling in voluntary personal retirement accounts." "It's time we stop the partisan bickering and do what is best for America's workers." Allan Fredrickson
"The system needs to be modernized to meet the needs of future retirees and I believe voluntary personal accounts are the most viable solution." Marjorie Kraxberger
"Voluntary retirement accounts provide us with the opportunity to have more control over our future and that of our children. I urge other parents to write Maine's senators and encourage them to support voluntary personal retirement accounts." Kathryn Breeding From The FieldOregon
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CoMPASS Calls on Leading Democrats to Live Up to 2000 Pledge to Reform Social SecurityRemember when Democrats were committed to Social Security reform that includes personal retirement accounts? Apparently a number of leading Democrats can't, even though it was just five years ago this week that the Democratic Leadership Council ratified principles and a policy agenda for the 21st Century that included Social Security reform and retirement accounts. Did You Know?Social Security pays nearly half a trillion dollars in benefits every year. If nothing is done, by 2060, the combination of Social Security and Medicare will account for more than 71 percent of the federal budget. Source: Thomas R. Saving, Public Trustee of the Social Security Board of Trustees 
They Said It"Strengthening Social Security through personal accounts will provide all with the opportunity to choose a retirement option, own it, and pass it on when they die. I am hopeful that the Senate Finance Committee will move these options toward reality when it takes up Social Security reform again this fall." U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-NH) |
"As a recently retired teacher and member of AARP, I am very disappointed on the organization's stance on the issue of Social Security reform, particularly the introduction of voluntary personal retirement accounts."
"I am retired and have 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and I want them to be secure in their retirement. I support the idea of personal retirement accounts for younger people. These accounts would be voluntary, so people could decide for themselves whether they wanted to participate or if they would rather remain in the current system. 
"Since my first child was born, my husband and I have done everything we can to prepare for their future. We've known that Social Security will not last and that we will not have the same benefits, if any, that past generations have had. This is why we support voluntary personal retirement accounts for American workers. These accounts will give us the ability to prepare for our future after retirement and also give us something to pass on to our children.