Essay Sample on Social Security in the U.S.

In the United States, many people have their own opinion on a government agency called Social Security. All opinions matter, but must be supported by facts, evidence, and reasonability. Political opinions display many controversies in the United States which comes down to big or little government. Social Security, a government program, provides individuals income in case of disability, sickness, death, unemployment, and, most often, retirement. In 1935, the program became established under the Social Security Act to help Americans retire without having to worry about their financial stability. Although many people choose one side, there are mutual, good, and bad opinions about Social Security throughout the United States. Every viewpoint matters, so no one's opinion proves superior to the other. Should we keep this program or not?

The benefits provided through government programs are used to support our country. In the last decade, the amount of money required to afford living after retirement has raised. In the 2022 Social Security COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment), they indicated that the payouts would increase by 5.9%, the highest increase in nearly 40 years. However, the earnings that Social Security tax exposes, will also increase. That means more funds taken out of income to have higher payments. In addition, the statements demonstrate straightforward and less complicated for elders to understand (2021, October 13). Social Security took place to benefit the security of the nation’s people’s money. Created after the Great Depression, it qualified as back up so that we never repeat the economic plummet again (2019, April). These articles show no bias, but rather information on Social Security and what it provides. Many people consider that its advantages are essential.

It has radically reduced poverty in old age. And it protects the middle class against inflation and the ups and downs of the market. While our paychecks remove SS taxes, we invest in ourselves for the future. Two main things Social Security focuses on; equity and adequacy. Equity means the more people pay, the more pension they will receive, but adequacy makes sure lower-waged individuals receive enough to live through retirement (2005, February). Since the 1970s, the SSA has provided statistics on the income of the elderly population based on CPS data. From 1976 to 2006, nearly 90% of adults aged 65 and up lived in families that received Social Security benefits. 2 During that time, the average share of income from Social Security was always significant (higher than 60% in any given year), especially for households in the lower half of the income distribution (2017, May 1). Social Security remains needed in the United States by the citizens for proper use. These positive viewpoints on social security display what it accomplishes. Many people agree with this; however, many people also oppose the argument. 

Does Social Security use the money they receive correctly? Claims express Social Security steals money from citizens and distributes it wherever they would like to. We should use the money we earn to do whatever we would like to. Whether we spend it, save it, or invest it. Social Security displays a major flaw when it comes to redistributing taxed money. (2017, July 14). Ascribed Social Security Numbers are received at birth. An argument with insights behind it shows many cases of fraud and identity theft. Stolen Social Security numbers can be utilized in a variety of identity theft schemes, including the filing of bogus tax returns to receive fraudulent refunds. In addition, thieves have collected benefits to which the person does not deserve, such as retirement or disability benefits. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received 28,944 allegations of imposter frauds using Social Security during the second quarter of 2021, totaling roughly $12 million in losses (2021, October 7). Because they describe the negative aspects of social security, these appear as negative opinions. With money being redistributed wrongly, and even possibly to the wrong person, many people display reasonable concerns about Social Security. So, what does it all mean?

In conclusion, there are numerous viewpoints on Social Security. Although many people choose one side, there are mutual, good, and bad opinions about Social Security throughout the United States. It has the potential to assist many individuals who have worked hard for their benefits, to save others from debt, to make people furious by stealing their money, and to cause fraud that can damage others. Individuals are entitled to their own opinions in these debates, especially if they have firsthand experience. Perhaps if the government decides to make some modifications to social security, it will fall better for all sides. As for the mutual minded, they exhibit the given information about it, not whether they are for or against it. At the end of the day, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.