Social Security, Taxes

My wife and I are retired. The year 1994 was the first year that virtually our total income was derived from a company retirement plan and Social Security in roughly equal parts. We just completed our income tax returns and I am shocked at the result! Not because our tax is large, but because it is so small in comparison to what a working family of two would have to pay for an equivalent income.

Our total federal income tax bill is $919. (The state tax is zero.) A working couple with no dependents and similar income and deductions would pay $4,414. Why? Because virtually none of our Social Security income is taxable.

I am outraged at the American Assn. of Retired Persons and other interests declaring that Social Security should not be touched as part of deficit reduction. At least retirees should have to pay their share of taxes! All Social Security income should be treated as ordinary income. It is only fair.

L. S. MICHELS

Los Angeles

* Both the major political parties (and the press) ignore the real political and economic issues, namely, the ever-increasing use of regressive taxation and special interest influence. Until these issues are moved to the front burner nothing meaningful will happen except, hopefully, a new political party.

MELVIN D. THOMAS

Laguna Hills