Briefing Book

White House Conference

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Division for Church in Society Lutheran Office For Governmental Affairs 122 C Street NW, Suite 125 l Washington, D.C. 20001-2172 202-783-7507 - FAX 202-783-7502 Internet: loga@ecunet.org STATEMENT ON SOCIAL SECURITY DECEMBER 1998 Social Security is an excellent program that has proved its worth over the years. It is the largest anti-poverty program in the United States and ensures that none of the millions of elderly Americans, disabled workers and their dependents, adults with severe disabilities who are dependents or survivors of their parents, and spouses and children of deceased workers become destitute. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a strong proponent of Social Security in that it furthers a more just and compassionate society and is carried out with a strong sense of elemental fairness. This church's vision of a sufficient, sustainable livelihood for all is furthered by such programs as Social Security which cares for the "widow and orphan," the disabled person, and the older American alike. It is our judgement that Social Security needs adjustment, but that it is not in imminent crisis. There is time for a thorough debate. Any policy changes made to preserve the fiscal integrity of the Social Security system must protect the core values and benefits of the current system, provide sufficient revenues for the program well into the future, and protect vulnerable populations, particularly the working poor, women, and minorities. There have been several proposals to make individual investment accounts a part of the Social Security system. We believe that private accounts should not be substituted for Social Security's current defined benefits. Diversion of tax revenues to pay for private investment accounts appears to make the projected long-term financing problems more severe, forcing deep benefit cuts and raises in the retirement age. An increase in retirement age for those who work in physically challenging jobs or who as a group have a lower life expectancy is not an acceptable alternative. As individual private accounts are considered, the complexities of administration should also be considered. In general, 1) there should be no reduction of benefits and no increased restrictions on eligibility; 2) individual saving and private pension programs should be encouraged through changes in policy, but not at the expense of Social Security; 3) improvements should help all generations and not pit generations against one another; 4) risk-free disability insurance protection for workers and their dependents, survivors insurance for spouses and children of workers, and benefits for adults living with severe disabilities should be continued. For further information contact Kay Bengston (202) 626-7942.