‘Notch Babies’
Thank you for the excellent article (March 14) on the “notch baby” Social Security issue. As a member of the baby-boom generation and a consulting actuary, here’s my personal and professional view on the matter.
The so-called “notch babies,” those born from 1917 to 1921, receive less from Social Security that those older, but more than those younger. This happened because Congress gradually decreased benefits that they mistakenly increased in 1972.
The “notch babies” want to use the developing Social Security surplus to improve their benefits. We need this surplus to fund Social Security benefits for our generation, because there’ll be fewer workers following us who’ll be paying Social Security taxes. Bear in mind that we’re already scheduled to get less than the “notch babies.” If “notch babies” tap into the surplus, we’ll even get less!
The “notch babies” will make vocal and emotional appeals to Congress for “compassion” and “fairness.” We can’t let these misguided efforts overcome sound financial management of Social Security. If we don’t make ourselves heard in the voting booth, we’ll get the Social Security benefits we deserve--next to nothing!
STEVEN G. VERNON
La Canada
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