What are the values you would have underlie Social Security

[National Dialogue Moderator <moderator>]

The key topic that is slated for discussion in the present
online forum has to do with the values which underlie the
Social Security system.  Please do your part to contribute
to this discussion with your own personal perspective.

I would suggest that each participant post a brief introduction
saying who they are and what perspective they bring to the
discussion.  Then please offer your insights on the issues
of values.

While some of our participants have studied Social Security
issues in great depth, the majority are just learning about
the subject.  The strength of our online discussion group
is its breadth.  Please enhance this asset with your own
contributions, and please invite your friends and colleagues
to participate as well.  If we can build a strong community
around the issue of Social Security reform, we will have a
significant voice in Washington, and the prospects for 
meaningful Social Security reform will be enhanced.

If you have trouble getting started on the issue of values,
you might want to consider the following entry from our
Frequently Asked Questions list, which was compiled from
discussions at forums held by Americans Discuss Social
Security, with the assistance of the National Academy of
Social Insurance.  You can find the complete set of 
Frequently Asked Questions in the Fast Facts section of
the National Dialogue Website.

The following 9 principles were compiled by Robert M. Ball,
former Social Security Commissioner: 

   1. The program is nearly universal in coverage - 96 out of 
      100 jobs are covered. 

   2. Benefits are paid as an earned right, with eligibility 
      for benefits and the benefit rate based on an individual's 
      past earnings. 

   3. Benefits are wage-related. 

   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. 

   6. Benefits are not means-tested. 

   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. 

   9. Participation in Social Security is compulsory. 

You can use these principles as the basis for your comments,
or you can choose a more personal approach.  But please take
the time to address this issue.  If we can build a consensus
with regard to core values, it will make it easier to develop
a consensus on the more complex issues that we will
inevitably face in the ongoing discussion.

Thanks for your participation and your help.

Bob Carlitz, moderator
Information Renaissance