Enhancing Social Security Benefits: A Timely Birthday Present

Enhancing Social Security Benefits: A Timely Birthday Present.On August 14, 1935, a momentous event occurred as President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted the Social Security Act. With 88 years having passed, the Social Security system has evolved into one of the most remarkable and beloved government initiatives in history.

The Pillars of Social Security

Integral to this system is the participation of nearly every employed individual who contributes to Social Security through Federal Insurance Contributions (FICA). This symbiotic arrangement ensures that upon retirement, disability, or the loss of a family provider, individuals receive insurance benefits to safeguard their financial wellbeing.

A Resounding Success with a Looming Issue

While Social Security has proven itself secure and efficient, a significant deficiency persists: its benefit levels remain insufficient. This becomes evident when comparing the average monthly Social Security benefit of $1,700 to those of comparable nations. This inadequacy hinders families from achieving a secure retirement or weathering unexpected setbacks such as disabilities or loss.

Expanding Social Security

In response to the growing concern of a retirement income crisis, the imperative arises to bolster Social Security benefits. Notably, President Biden’s commitment to this cause resonates with the introduction of several bills by congressional Democrats. Among these is the Social Security 2100 Act, championed by Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), and the Social Security Expansion Act, co-sponsored by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)

Unified Principles of Expansion

These legislative proposals converge on a common set of principles. They aim to fortify Social Security for future generations, nullifying the minimal deficit in its trust fund that some have cited to advocate for benefit reductions. Crucially, they advocate for across-the-board benefit increments, with targeted enhancements for low-income beneficiaries, family caregivers, the elderly, and others. Moreover, these proposals address the erosion of benefits by recalibrating the annual cost-of-living adjustments to align with actual expenses faced by beneficiaries.

Broad Public Support

These practical propositions enjoy broad-based endorsement across the political spectrum. Astonishingly, statistics reveal that 83 percent of Democrats, 73 percent of independents, and 73 percent of Republicans all back the expansion of Social Security, funded by increased contributions from the affluent. Curiously, not a single Republican in Congress has aligned themselves with a bill designed to enhance Social Security benefits.

The Challenge of Opposition

Contrastingly, the Republican stance is marred by a predisposition towards reducing and eventually dismantling Social Security. The Republican Study Committee (RSC), an assembly composed of roughly 70 percent of House Republicans, has articulated a budget plan that includes raising the retirement age to 69 – tantamount to a 13 percent benefit reduction. This proposal threatens the benefits earned by the middle class, potentially diminishing their economic security.

The War on Social Security

Beyond policy rhetoric, the Republican approach has translated into an insidious assault on the Social Security Administration (SSA), the entity responsible for administering the program. Since 2010, predominantly Republican-dominated Congresses have eroded the agency’s budget by 17 percent, even as beneficiary numbers escalated by 22 percent. This reckless budgeting has led to layoffs, office closures, and truncated service hours.

A Call for Action

The solution entails equipping the SSA with robust funding and effective leadership. President Biden has nominated former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley to steer the SSA, simultaneously proposing a 10 percent budget increase for the agency. As Social Security’s 88th birthday nears, Congress holds the opportunity to deliver an invaluable present by expeditiously confirming O’Malley and endorsing Biden’s funding request.

The Path Forward

In the subsequent steps, Congress should pivot towards enacting legislation to amplify Social Security benefits. Should Republicans resist, Democrats must spotlight Social Security as a central issue in the upcoming election, urging voters to rally behind the party committed to expanding – rather than curtailing – their rightfully earned benefits.