Social Security Coalition Doubles in Size

White House Bulletin
"COMPASS, the umbrella group of business interests backing President Bush's Social Security reform program, has doubled in size in the last month. According to a knowledgeable source, COMPASS now has over 200 member organizations, whereas slightly fewer than 100 had signed on as of a month ago. Though the conventional wisdom in Washington is that Social Security reform is in deep trouble, COMPASS sources contend their growth is a sign that outside the Beltway support is growing to do something to fix the program."

President Brings Debate to Falls Church

Falls Church News Press
"Outside the event, supporters of the president's Social Security plan, stood along Annandale road, holding signs and waving at passing cars.

"Matt Lewis, from Generations Together, an organization supporting the implementation of private accounts, echoed the president's assertion that many young people don't expect Social Security to be there for them.

"He said that it was too soon to talk about the idea of progressive indexing, insisting that the details would be worked out in Congress, but he was enthusiastic about the overall proposal."
Click here to read the full article

Concerned Americans Continue to Send Letters to the Editor to Urge Social Security Reform

"Social Security has been a brilliant program, but soon faces a crisis. There are 40 million retirees on Social Security. In a few short years, after the baby boomers begin to draw Social Security, there will be roughly 72 million retirees on Social Security. At that time, there will be two workers paying for every one receiving benefits."

"How do we fix the system without hurting retirees or workers? A key part is voluntary personal-retirement accounts that will allow workers to invest part of their Social Security payroll taxes in conservative bond and stock funds to start building a 'nest egg' for retirement."

Chad C. Airhart

"I am excited that our President has the courage to address the politically unpopular issue of reforming Social Security. While the rich and powerful do not depend on Social Security for their retirement, it is essential for those of us in the working class."

Charles Braun

"I am not listening for all the answers on the Social Security debate, but rather I am listening for the Democrats to admit there is a problem and go a step further to propose some solutions. It is hard enough to get politicians to cross the aisle these days. Let us at least hope both parties have enough interest in coming up with creative proposals. Do not just disagree with the Republicans to disagree. I invite the Democrats to stop taking shots and join the creativity."

Pamela A. Crim

From The Field

Texas

Generations Together supporters greet the President as he arrives for a town hall meeting in Galveston.

Virginia

President Bush is received by an enthusiastic crowd at a meeting about Social Security reform in West Falls Church.

Colorado

Generations Together member Jared Wright talks with U.S. Senator Ken Salazar in Grand Junction.

Calculate How You Could Fare at Retirement Under the President's Plan

Using President Bush's plan to reform Social Security, the Heritage Foundation devised a calculator to help Americans find out what their benefits would look like with the addition of personal retirement accounts and progressive indexing.

Click here to use the calculator.

Did You Know?

Progressive indexing allows most middle-class workers to receive benefits that are comparable with those that they would receive under today's Social Security. Lower-income workers, however, would receive significantly more than under today's system, and upper-income workers a bit less.
(Source: Heritage Foundation)

They Said It

"This is an issue that affects each and every American, regardless of party. It is time to get options out on the table and to find the best fix for Social Security, while ensuring that younger workers are empowered to invest and control their own retirement savings."

Brian A. Lunde
Former Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee
CoMPASS Advisory Board Member
May 6, 2005