Citizens share views on Social Security reform
Citizens of Owensboro-Daviess County who participated in a June 7, 2005 public forum unanimously expressed support for action to strengthen Social Security for future generations.
The leading recommendations were:
Increase the wage level subject to Social Security payroll taxes 65%
Bring more workers into the system 58%
Raise Social Security payroll taxes 40%
Restructure Social Security with private accounts 40%
Extend the qualifying age 38%
Diversify investments of Social Security Trust Funds 38%
Make retirement savings mandatory 35%
Reduce Social Security benefits on a sliding scale
– no reductions for the poor 20%
Convert Social Security into a voluntary system 13%
Reduce Social Security benefits for all 5%
More than a dozen other recommendations were offered by forum participants.
Fifty-five citizens participated in the forum and 40 completed questionnaires following a two and one-half hour blend of presentations and small group dialogue.
Prior to the forum: 63 percent of the respondents indicated they were somewhat informed about Social Security; 23 percent said they were well-informed; 18 percent acknowledged that they were not very informed.
Ninety-eight percent said the forum presented balanced points of view and recommended that others participate in a similar forum.
Respondents were predominately male (65 percent) and white (98 percent). Fifty-eight percent were between the ages of 45-64, 23 percent were from 30-44, 18 percent were 65 or older, and 3 percent were between the ages of 18-29. Family incomes were diverse and 75 percent had a college or postgraduate degree. Fifty-five percent were registered Democratics, 33 percent were Republicans, and 10 percent were independent.
The event was sponsored by the Public Life Foundation of Owensboro, Community Conversations, Owensboro Human Relations Commission, Leadership Owensboro Alumni Association, and Chamber Young Professionals.
For more information, contact Rodney Berry, president of the Public Life Foundation (685-2652) or Barbara Bennett, president of Community Conversations (926-8686).