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NEW RESEARCH

Ten Facts About Social Security

In, Top Ten Facts On Social Security’s 70th Anniversary, (August 11, 2005) the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities lays out 10 important facts about the nation’s most popular and successful government program. It points out that Social Security lifts 13 million seniors out of poverty; for two-thirds of elderly Social Security is their main source of income; Social Security protects nearly four million children; and women, who have lower lifetime earnings and a longer lifespan, make up 57 percent of adult Social Security beneficiaries, pay 39 percent of Social Security payroll taxes, and receive half of the program’s benefits.

Surveys Show Strong Public Support for Social Security on its 70th Anniversary

In a third round of anniversary public opinion surveys that gauge public support for and the perception of Social Security, the AARP reports that the American people continue to hold the program in a high regard. The new report, Social Security 70th Anniversary Survey Report, Trends Over Time, finds that 65 percent of Americans rate Social Security as the most important government program. Eighty-six percent believe Social Security should continue as a government program to assist retired people, with women most in favor at 89 percent (compared with 83 percent for men), and 75 percent felt they should stay in the current Social Security system and support it regardless of their personal financial situation, again with women most in favor at 78 percent (compared with 72 percent of men). The survey also found that 46 percent believed their family would be hard hit without Social Security. Among non-retirees, 54 percent said they would be willing to pay more in taxes to ensure Social Security covered their retirement, with women slightly more willing than men at 55 percent (versus 53 percent). * Additionally, results showed that overall confidence in Social Security was up 4 percent (from 36 percent to 40 percent) since the 1995 survey.

The USAction Education Fund also recently conducted public opinion surveys, specifically targeting the nine Congressional Districts represented by the House Ways and Means Committee members who are undecided about Social Security privatization. The surveys found that in the nine districts surveyed, nearly 70 percent of voters oppose President Bush’s plan for privatizing Social Security and 68 percent said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate that supported the President’s plan.

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IN THE NEWS

A Tribute to the Mother of Social Security, Frances Perkins (1882-1965)

In her recent article, “We Owe Social Security to a Woman,” (August 19, 2005) Jan Erickson, Government Relations Director at the National Organization for Women, reminds Americans of the central role Frances Perkins (United States Labor Secretary from 1933 to 1945) played in Social Security’s birth. Perkins was the first woman cabinet member and the longest serving Labor Secretary. As chair of the Committee on Economic Security, she led the way in creating insurance plans for the unemployed and the elderly.

This Fall House Republicans Will Push for New Plan to Privatize

Beginning after Labor Day, House Republicans will try to galvanize the support they need to push through their newest plan for privatization, which would use Social Security’s cash surplus to create private accounts. Though Republicans say the new plan will not significantly improve the program’s solvency, they hope the shift in focus from solvency to private accounts will make privatization more palatable to the public and provide a starting point for further privatization. It is unclear whether support within the party will be there as the 2006 elections loom ahead. For more details go to, “Happy 70th Birthday, Social Security: On Weekend of Celebrating FDR's Signature, Debate Over Program's Future Shifts” (August 14, 2005) and “FDR's bequest to retirees turns 70” (August 14, 2005).

Former IWPR Intern Details Women’s Questions on Privatization Plans

Former IWPR Intern, Preeti Aroon discusses the questions women must ask about any plans to privatize Social Security in her op-ed piece, “Social Security's female complications: Beware reforms that put women at financial risk,” recently published in her home state of Kentucky (August 22, 2005). Some of the key questions women should ask are whether any plan for reform guarantees benefits, provides a progressive benefit structure that acknowledges the lower lifetime earnings and longer lifespan of women, and ensures the protection of survivors and persons with a disability.

* Data on gender differences were provided by the AARP at IWPR’s request.

In January, just as the debate on Social Security reform was getting underway, we launched the IWPR Women and Social Security Alert (WomenSSA). According to the positive feedback we received from you – our colleagues, our members, and advocates on this issue – this special alert system has proven to be a comprehensive resource in helping you to stay at the forefront of this topic and its effect on women. Please help us continue to produce this beneficial resource by contributing to our special Women and Social Security Alert Fund today! With your help, we will ensure the continued distribution of this important information on Social Security reform and those most affected – women. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE NOW!