Letter: Don't slash Social Security

The American Association of University Women emphatically opposes slashing or means-testing benefits, raising the retirement age, toying with risky privatization schemes, or raiding the program in a misguided attempt to reduce the deficit. In AAUW's 2011-2013 Public Policy Program, we support strengthening Social Security while enacting common-sense reforms and improvements.

Social Security matters for women and girls. The program, which has more than 70 years of successes, is one of our nation's best anti-poverty programs and provides critical benefits to millions children, disabled workers, surviving spouses, and retirees. Without Social Security, it is estimated that more than half of elderly women would live in poverty — after all, older women frequently don't have 401(k) accounts or sufficient retirement savings, have contended with a lifetime of pay inequities, and generally outlive their spouses and men in the workforce.

For those who have been paying into the program, Social Security is there to help pay for necessary services and accommodations if they become disabled, just as it is for millions of Americans today.

Social Security survivors' benefits are still the largest and most generous life insurance program in the country, insuring 98 percent of American children against the loss of a parent and caretaker.

In short, Social Security is a national commitment through which we care for one another across generations.

Martha C. Bunce,

Executive Council leader

Marysville-Yuba City Branch, AAUW

Marysville