My name is Lisa Furia. I am 32 years old and the founder and owner of a new business. For almost 13 years, my work has focused upon health care and I have lived and worked both in the US and overseas. I grew up in a strong immigrant culture and paid my way through undergrad and other endeavors on my own. I have been fortunate enough to enjoy faith, a caring family, an excellent education, and, relative financial success. My work in health care takes me overseas several months per year and from that context, I often try to understand our social values. I am very proud to be an American, but, personally feel we have become a meaner society. In general, I believe there is a better course for our nation somewhere in between the minimal social support we currently provide (child care, education, health care, ss, disability) and in some cases the bureaucracies that exist in other countries where social benefits are richer. I do not feel overtaxed at all despite the fact that I am in the highest tax bracket. I would like to see our government provide accountable programs to its citizens. The model I would prefer is one where public programs and servants view the public as a customer, borrowing something from the corporate playbook.
Specifically, addressing Mr. Carlitz's suggested discussion points:
1. The program is nearly universal in coverage - 96 out of 100 jobs are covered.
I believe it should be 100% universal; not nearly.
2. Benefits are paid as an earned right, with eligibility
for benefits and the benefit rate based on an individual's
past earnings.
I believe benefits should be regardless of status of having worked; e.g., all citizens should be covered.
3. Benefits are wage-related.
This is fair.
4. The system is contributory and self-financed, with contributions
from wages specifically ear-marked for Social Security.
5. The benefit formula is redistributive, paying lower-income
workers a higher percentage of their pre-retirement earnings
than higher income workers.
This is an important aspect to preserve.
6. Benefits are not means-tested.
I believe this is an important area to change - those who are relatively well-off and can afford to exist without the assistance of SS should not receive any pay out.
7. Initial benefits are wage-indexed, reflecting improvements
in productivity and thus in the general standard of living.
8. Once they begin, Social Security benefits are inflation
protected, with annual cost of living adjustments tied to
the Consumer Price Index.
This is important to preserve as
9. Participation in Social Security is compulsory.
This is not as important to me. However, if a worker at any point in her earning years opts out of SS then she should also relinquish the right to "collect" anything plus accrued interest from that point forward but should be entitled to collect based upon previous contributions.
Based upon my private savings, and particularly as a small business owner, I know I would create greater retirement assets for myself if I could personally invest my SS contributions. However, I have an obligation to my fellow citizens and while I would appreciate the opportunity to exert greater control over my SS deductions, I believe I and my fellow citizens should be compelled by the government to contribute to a government managed pool of retirement resources not strictly earmarked and influenced by me.
