Social Security

Re your editorial, “Federal Savings That Compute,” Oct. 13:

Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.) has recommended a new formula for the calculation of the cost-of-living increase for Social Security. I have a formula which, I believe, is simpler and far more equitable than the one proposed by Moynihan. This formula is based on the average increase in income for those who finance this program, working Americans.

During the past several years, corporate America has gone through a significant belt-tightening exercise that, in most cases, has eliminated all cost-of-living increases, and in many cases, actually resulted in pay reductions for workers. Isn’t it more equitable to share in the wealth when times are good, and, unfortunately, to share in the misery when times are not quite so good? After all, money doesn’t grow on trees, does it?

BRIAN HILTSCHER, Fullerton