Reply #296: Since WHEN? [View All]

When the SSA was created in 1935, the average life expectancy in the United States was 61.7 years.

Repeat- AVERAGE life expectancy, 61.5. That means MANY people died before being ELIGIBLE for benefits.

If we were writing the act today, when we have an average life expectancy of 77.8 years, we would make people eligible at 80 years of age.



You are lacking a FUNDAMENTAL knowledge of the intent of Social Security.

The worker-supported "freedom" to wile away 20 years of one's life on the GOLF COURSE was never the intention. The concept of "retirement" as some life-long earned holiday for all is an unsupportable FANTASY.

The still-vital intent of Social Security is to provide for people who CANNOT PROVIDE for themselves. Whether they be unable to provide for themselves due to their aged state, their disability, or their widowed/widowered state, the SSA serves a vitally important social function.

The bequeathment of an "I am near-death" VACATION is not such a function. Society has an obligation to expect that able bodied people take care of themselves.

The SSA has to adapt to a changing society if it is to endure and benefit all.