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Social Security Concerns Strain Generation Gap

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 2, 2008

Retirement Not Cushy

Regarding "Not Just Baby Boomers' Issue" (Letters, Jan. 27):

I would like to set the record straight in respect to Mike Loschiavo's rant that apparently blames retired folks for the Social Security problems that leaves very little in his paycheck after the government takes its share.

First, I'd like to wise up Loschiavo for his misconceptions that all us retirees are enjoying golf or taking nice vacations at his expense. A great many of us retired people have to work full- and part-time jobs after retirement just to survive the rising cost of living today. I, like the many retired people, paid into Social Security for 35 to 40 years expecting it to be there for us when we retired, not passed off to the future generation to pick up the tab.

While the vast majority of retirement plans are run responsibly, unethically using workers' retirement contributions to fund current expenses instead of saving them for workers' retirement is still an all-too-common occurrence. Social Security is short of funds because politicians spent it.

CARL J. GROCHOWICZ

Spring Hill

Letter Hit Home

The Jan. 27 "Letter of the Day" from Mike Loschiavo ("Not Just Baby Boomers' Issue") was pretty amusing, scary and hit home. I asked the same question many moons ago when I started paying Social Security and Medicare taxes. I can sympathize with young Loschiavo. It is amazing how we all start to contemplate the impact of our paychecks when we start making one. I've been paying that tax for 30 years, and I've already reached the maximum payout. Yet, I still have to pay it until retirement and beyond.

What we get to keep after withholding, Social Security and Medicare is just the beginning. Don't forget we pay sales, property, gas, school board and capital gains taxes - the list goes on forever. Loschiavo shouldn't forget to start his 401K because only government employees and unions get a pension and medical benefits.

What he has to realize is that government spending is a disease that can never be satisfied when there is no accountability. It's not my fault that our government is paying people who never paid into the system, can't manage money and think spending is a another re-election tool.

MAX H. INGRAM

Lutz

Not The Way It Seems

Mike Loschiavo is young, and apparently naive, so I must forgive him for thinking that retired people "play golf or vacation" on their Social Security stipend.

Does he know how to live on less than $800 per month? Does he know that a great number of Social Security recipients, maybe even his grandmother, live below the poverty level? The select few he begrudges are likely those who also receive annuities or pensions from long-term employment. We have paid our way and have adhered to the system, be it right or wrong or in need of change. There is no free lunch, not for any of us. His paycheck deductions would hardly support his future needs.

More importantly, does he know that it is not the president who can change the system, but the lawmakers of the land, the true representatives of the citizens, including both him and me?

J. D. BATSON

Tampa

Earned The Benefits

My husband and I have been working since the age of 16 and have had Social Security taxes withheld from our wages for the past 40 years. This is our money, and we have earned the right to redeem these funds upon our retirement. It is not Loschiavo's business to decide how we should utilize these funds.

Most of those baby boomers who are beginning to retire did not have the advantages of company- supported IRAs and health insurance as they worked to support their families and be productive citizens. They rely on the promise of the government that these funds will be available in their golden years. My suggestion to him is to begin contributing to his IRA right away, and he will be financially secure in his old age.

LINDA WENIGER

Sebring

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