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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 26, 1981)
Page 2B THE BATTALION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1981 Youths should be concerned about future programs hicagi Retiree gives views on social security problem By JACK V. FOX United Press International OXNARD, Calif. — My wife and I are among the Americans being blamed for bringing Social Security to the sorry state it is in today. We are also among those who feel anxiety over headlines and TV specials saying our monthly checks could stop next year. And, finally, we are among those who know that no such thing is going to happen. Not so long as people have the common sense and the politicians the courage to face up to making changes in the system or unless they want to go down the drain with us. Let me try to put it from one pretty average retiree’s point of view. My wife and I took so-called early retirement last year. We were both 62. I had worked for 40 years as a reporter and a news wri ter for the same company. She had worked a total of around 15 years before and after our two children were born. 9! ^ Announcing The Opening of There are millions like us opting to retire at 62 in stead of waiting for full benefits at 65. And that trend is one of the reasons for the crunch in the Social Security treas ury. — Jack V. Fox, Un ited Press International. d U § Hair Etc.” (formerly The Mop Shop) Styling for Men & Women Sandie Ford — Owner & Manager 8! Open Tues.-Fri. 9:00-5:00 Sat. 9:00-12:00 (Open Late By Appointment Only) Lea Haller Cosmetics Senior Citizen Day Wed. 9:00-2:00 We were both in good health. We had some modest savings. I was entitled to a small company pension. I felt I could make some money as a free lance writer. And along with Social Security at the rate it pays at age 62, I figured we could net about 75 per cent of our pre-retirement income 4nd tailor our life style accordingly. That’s about how it has worked out. We bought a place in a mobile home park not far from the ocean. I spend some time golfing and surf fishing and gardening. My wife plays bridge and swims and sews and keeps up the place. But our existence on a “fixed” income is just that — it is pretty spartan. Our rental rates have been raised twice already. Our car is wearing out and the price tags on new models boggle the mind. For the first time we have the lei sure to travel but not the means. I am making some money on articles like this but the Social Security regulations require that I make not much more than $300 a month or I run into something like the banks call severe withdrawal penalties. Fortunately, we do have a com pany health insurance that ex tends to retirees and covers 80 percent of medical expenses. Without it, we could be in real trouble. Don’t let me give the idea I’m crying the blues. I retired be cause, after starting at the age of 15,1 was simply weary of working. I wanted to smell the flowers and watch the sunsets. And, frankly, I was getting bored. The news game wasn’t fun for me any more. There are millions like us opting to retire at 62 instead of waiting for full benefits at 65. And that trend is one of the reasons for the crunch in the Social Security treasury. But before you label us para sites, let’s take a look at recent history. If the others are like my wife and myself, they may still have their original Social Security a grocery store and my wife-to-be a sales girl in a photography studio featuring baby pictures. We paid into the system for 43 years and I once figured out that together — along with our employers’ shares — we put in some $40,000. any of it in old age. And that, to me, is bo problem and the solution storing confidence of you people that the program wilq for them too. on ... Our existence “fixed” income is just that — it is pretty spartan. Our rental rates have been raised twice already. Our car is wear ing out and the price tags on new models boggle the mind. — Fox. That doesn’t seem like much, particularly in view of the FICA deductions today, but — invested conservatively over four decades — it would have made a fair nest egg, at least $80,000. And interest on that sum today would pay us more than Social Security does. I never thought that as a |J duct of the 1930 depressionya ad: would grow up to be a con» tive but I do think the salvafo cago-area What I am getting at is that most people retiring today are not slurping at the public trough but getting something for which they contracted and to which they are entitled. Of all the so-called social ist programs of the last half of the 20th century, it has proved a smashing success in many ways. Social Security lies in cuttiii back rather than increasingti! “me real By cutting it back I meanres ^yth mg it to its ongmal inent wasn t meant to put kids tbrn , isentitlei college. It wasn t meant to ml write medical care or disabilik was meant to provide a modi , etermined of economic independence! dignity in old age. H United Pr :hicago lyefsky’s s spital,” a h rrying aroi m seeking impover You can’t eyourinsu A bro; lyefsky’s United Sti fcare for t cards issued in 1937 when Frank lin Roosevelt’s program took effect. At the time, I was a stock boy in Having said that, let me confess that if I were a young man or woman today I would be cynical and, perhaps, bitter about paying stiff FICA withholding in the face of predictions they will go higher and the prospect I might never see 326 Jersey (Next to Rother’s Bookstore) C.S. 693-4355 Social Security system angers young able the mand ion’s sick w The ways to do this are lawmakers. That’s what wetl flieir cone them for and that’s what we | is to colle< them for. ituteapatie But I do know one thing! In ^ isn’t a matter for Democratic! sus Republicans and itisn’taj ter of young people versus people. It’s a matter of as m importance to our survivalasr tion as our military shield ail merits just as much attention uns blem By PETER COSTA United Press International The Social Security system that provides comfort and relief for the S ART SHOPPE • Custom Framing (Including Diplomas) • Posters and Prints Perfect for Decorating • Art Supplies and Lessons • Prints Perfect for Gift Giving: • Windberg • Charles Beckendorf • Carol Gibson Sayle • Large Selection of Wildlife Prints • Larry Dykes • George Boutwell 10% Student Discount on Art Supplies 2200 S. College 822-5130 old is causing anger and bitterness among the young. Many people in the 20- to 40- year-old age group resent paying for a system that could be bank rupt years before they are eligible for it. Others are exasperated at having higher and higher social security deductions taken out of their paychecks for fewer and few er benefits. “I’m completely —100 percent — relying upon Social Security for my retirement,” said Elizabeth Veres, 25, an out-of-work inter preter from Providence, R.I. “I don’t even want to think about the possibility of the system going bankrupt. “For ten years I put money into the system. I think it’s crummy. Something has to be done. It’s just not fair for young people like me. ” Some young people are not up set about the system that has pro vided aid to their relatives. “My mom has been getting so cial security checks since my dad died for both herself and me while I am in school, ” said Willie Lopez, 20, a student and part-time bus- boy in Fresno, Calif. “I don’t mind paying social security because I see how it helps people who need it. “I don’t believe the govern ment will let the program go broke, they’ll find some way of keeping it going so it will still be there in 40-50 years when I’m ready to retire. ” The present administration, despite reports of benefit reduc tions, fiscal troubles and long term financial difficulties for the system, repeatedly tells young people not to worry. Jack Svahn, commissioner of social security, said: “The Social Security (system) wishes to assure young workers that they will have a valuable package of protection in the future on which they can de pend when they retire or become disabled and there will be protec tion for their families in case of their death. One of this adminis tration’s major goals is to restore faith and confidence in the social security system. ;estU.S. h< a public fai igent peopl low to mak ind how im both side or is lik Jr major ui iounty cor thespravvli they car rate it at £ igent fiscal and fedei o help keep I are attem llect the clearly opposed to the entire age system. Wallace Magharious, 21, a gineering student at the Univi ty of Pittsburgh, said: “Yes,l_ resent having to pay for older tor pie because I’ll never seel L r l v j w v IS “We are presently working with the Congress to come up with a bipartisan solution to solve the short-term and long-term prob lems of the social security system. Once this is achieved, we believe we ll reach that goal.” But some young people are money myself. I could invesll , , , money better than the gora v by wn ment could. I could take cm myself. There should be acln , for what you do with your monr b One Milford, Conn., who asked not to be identifiedifi abandoi Social Security was a fraud, “I hate the facade,” ska ‘Social Security is a tax. We’res I buying security, it’s not We’re really just paying for people now, that’s all. It’s a Why doesn’t the governmenti up to it?” Now You Know United Press International The oldest known zoo, estab lished in 1752, is at Schonbrunn, Vienna, Austria. Holy Roman Emperor Francis I built it for his wife. Former gardener enjoys his Hawaiian retirement and estal so that mds on ho\ yatt Medi ices Inc., ty to help lems, prop Jcovered by kaid, Me irams pay u r gross ini 12 exceptional condominium homes ready for foil semester occupancy! United Press International KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — When L.W. “Bill” Bryan retired two decades ago after 40 years as chief forester, everyone hailed his life-long dedication to making Hawaii’s Big Island more beautiful. Before retirement he did a lot. He supervised the planting of more than 10 million trees island wide, preservation of scores of en dangered plants, introduction of hundreds of exotic plant specie and the establishment of arboreta. He helped develop the island’s network of weather stations and its parks. He spearheaded the Civi lian Conservation Corps programs during the Depression. The only difference now, the spry 86-year-old Bryan said, while tending his cacti and succulent collection, is that he does not get paid for his work and advice. “I still get a lot of calls on plants and forestry matters, but I don’t charge,” he said. Then, eyes twinkling, he laughed and added, “When I reached 80, I decided I wouldn’t work for money. I decided that all I was doing was enriching Uncle Sam. “If anybody wants to call me up and ask a question, I’ll tell them what I know, but no more money — and no more taxes.” A native of Boston, Mass., Bryan reached Hawaii’s shores shortly after World War I. “I arrived on May 1, 1921 on the SS Lurline after a seven-day voyage with a deck-load of cattle, ” he said. “All I had was my bedroll and $90.” In his years as forester, he said, “I’ve covered every inch of this island either on foot or horse back. ” Of the trees Bryan helped plant, the Forestry said they “are now being In vested and manufactured into® k state att un a step: Cet unpaid b nates amoi ion. ful products and in thiswayaii our economy.” One of the plants introduce! the island by Bryan is theAp Joaquin vanda orchid, whichl become one of the state s Mr floral exports. Through his careful chart and patience, Bryan today is t to quickly advise people terested in growing a s| plant whether it will flourk not. “I’ve pretty much tried emt he said. Although Bryan concedes he longer can move about thesfc biggest island as he did it younger days, he continue 1 dabble in the propagation ob' plant species, and watch ducts of his life-long efforts ★ Within walking distance of classrooms, just one block from the campus North Gate ★ Efficiency, 1, 2, and 4 bedroom condominiums ★ Covered parking ★ Fireplace in many plans ★ Utility space in every plan ★ Exceptional quality in energy and construction features throughout. We invite the parents of Texas A&M students to consider the concept of investing in a residence for the student... rather than merely paying dormitory or apartment rental for fouror more years. These units will be available for fall occupancy: 1 bedroom, 1 bath $55,000 2 bedrooms, 1 bath $75,500 North Ramparts A project of the Hh. 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