Help for Seniors

In his August 6 article, “Don’t Tamper with Capital Gains,” George L. Perry of the Times Board of Economists completely ignores the plight of ordinary senior citizens who want to finally cash in on their modest lifetime investments. They are not entirely “free to choose when to realize capital gains.” Ideally, they should be able to do so before they die without being taxed at an exorbitant rate.

The reduction in the capital gains tax may benefit some wealthy taxpayers, but it would at the same time be a tremendous relief for millions of lower- and middle-income retirees!

INA HANSEN

Redondo Beach