Social Security Works For Everyone!: Protecting and Expanding America’s Most Popular Social Program

This is an excellent book that puts to rest the oft quoted claim that Social Security--the social insurance fund founded 80 years ago by the Roosevelt Administration -- is on its death bed.I opened the book expecting lots of charts and statistics with technical jargon. Instead, I got an exciting read that details in clear language the history and actual current status of what has proven to be the most successful social/financial program in U.S. history. The authors-- Nancy Altman with considerable financial experience and Eric Kingson with a strong record of accomplishment in the field of social welfare--convinced me of the need, not to cut or privatize Social Security, but to work to strengthen and expand it. Together, they have provided some excellent suggestions for doing while making clear that there is no reason to allow the U.S. Congress to cutback a program on which so many millions of everyday Americans depend.I strongly recommend reading SOCIAL SECURITY WORKS in order to better understand how to strengthen and ensure the continuance of a valuable social insurance program with a proven track record (and a $2.8 trillion surplus) that has benefited not just millions of hard working Americans but our overall economy as well. Given the growing "retirement crisis" fueled by the near extinction of traditional pension plans, the under-fundIng of 401k's and other private plans, etc. (many of them dependent on the whims of the stock market) it seems to me that moving to ensure the continued health of Social Security really is an idea" whose time has come".

Social Security Works! is the most important book that any policy maker, voter, or simply concerned citizen can read in preparation for November 2016. Authors Nancy Altman and Eric Kingson are the most vigorous proponents of America’s vital system of Social Security. Equally important, their knowledge of the system and their understanding of the politics affecting it are unexcelled. They are the perfect authors for this essential study--and I say this as a scholar of Social Security myself, and as the author of four books on the topic.Altman and Kingson demonstrate clearly that Social Security is not “broken,” nor is it “unsustainable.” They explain why such misconceptions are now common. They identify the ideologues and selfish interests who have made error and untruth the conventional wisdom, and why and how they have done so.This stimulating new book confronts the propaganda directly, and makes it plain that Social Security is strong. Certainly, Social Security does, indeed, work. There is no reason to cut benefits—for anyone. Moreover, as these brilliant authors prove beyond any reasonable doubt, Social Security will work even better if it is substantially expanded.

By far the best book on the subject. The next time you hear someone say that Social Security will run out of money and needs to be "saved" by privatization or means-testing, or that Social Security is unfair to those who do physical labor instead of office work, who suffer injuries and don't live long enough to benefit, this book has the facts to refute their arguments. (For instance, many injured workers receive disability from the program. It keeps them and their families from living below the poverty level.)One important takeaway, "there are so few millionaires and billionaires in the general population that removing them all from the program through means-testing would make very little difference." Means-testing would, however, result in the rest of us having to submit bank statements, home-value appraisals, and other "proofs of eligibility" for a program in which we're already enrilled and making payroll contributions. We've earned our benefits, there's no need to let the "privatizers" treat us like welfare recipients, forced to qualify for our own retirement pensions! The authors are right, let's drop the loaded word "entitlements" and return to to the word "trusts" for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.Less than a penny of every dollar of Social Security money goes to administration. It's much more efficient than any privately-operated retirement program. "Guaranteed by the US Treasury, Social Security will be completely solvent as long as the American Government,exists."Unlike 401Ks, funds cannot be removed from Social Security for purposes other than retirement, it's the only money we're certain will still be there for us in old age. Some very astute investors have made poor financial decisions and lost everything, ending up living on Social Security alone. There;'s an anecdote about one such wealthy victim, Neil Freman of Palm City Florida, an elderly man who lost all his money, including his pension to Bernie 'Madoff's ponzi scheme. He now lives entirely on Social Security and sells note cards at a Sunday flea market.We all hope we'll be as sharp in old age as we are now, but nobody knows for sure, and scammers are ubiquitous. I've barely scratched the surface of this important book. Social Security Works should be required reading for every American citizen.One small quibble: the authors suggest a raise of $150 a month for everyone on Social Security. This would certainly help with things like car repairs, but more is needed for retirees in areas with a very high cost of living, and for those over 85, whose children, retired or soon-to-retire cannot afford to help them financially.Octagenarians often outlive their resources, and spent more than any other group on health-related products and services...

I felt it was very enlightening and helped to debunk the myths that go around such as it is out of money. If the money paid in was not diverted to other projects, it would last and work as intended.

This is the book that every American should READ, UNDERSTAND AND APPLY throughout their working lives. It is an unavoidable fact that we will all get old and not willing or unable to work hence, the need for Social Security benefits. It is easy to read and understand, plus it gives you reasons for all of us to not only protect it but to increase our benefits, as well.The book debunks the myths that Social Security is broke, tells us why rich investors are so desperate to get their hands on OUR RETIREMENT MONEY. Think about this: had they gotten their hands on our money before the crash of 2008 where would millions of Americans would be today?Yes, the book is an important addition to your library. I must caution you, though that in order for it to be of value YOU MUST READ IT.Saludos, Rolando