Growth of Older Population

Re “New Thinking on Growing Old,” editorial, May 26:

Your editorial cites our government’s Census Bureau statistics on the numbers of citizens over 85, and of the baby boomers predicted to swell the numbers of aged by the year 2020. It concludes that our government faces fiscal disaster such as “massive tax increases” or “deficit spending.”

This aged Social Security recipient points out two elementary facts: One, if our government will restore my and my employers’ contributions to the Social Security fund (including interest) which they pilfered from the fund, the fund will again be solvent. Secondly, growing old is a very private experience, and I will thank The Times and our government to leave us alone in our dotage.

MAX FREEDLAND

Long Beach

* Editorials such as this and congressional committees on entitlements, plus groups like Concord Coalition, are valiantly trying to warn the public that Medicare is outspending its resources.

While the next two, now three, younger generations are struggling to pay the bills on two salaries, their elders live more than comfortably, some luxuriously. It’s not popular in senior circles to remind peers that we get back what we’ve put into Social Security within two to three years, or that what little we pay for Medicare amounts to about 5% of what private insurance costs.

Of course, most politicians won’t touch the issue with a 10-foot pole. Watch for one who will--he/she just might be a leader.

It appears downright puzzling that a generation that produced larger families than the current one and enjoys bragging about its children and grandchildren can be so callous when it comes to their economic future. This isn’t a matter of funds going to poverty or frivolous programs. It’s coming to us by mail or direct deposit.

MARY MEYER

Pasadena

* On May 10, I turned 85 years of age. Kevin Kinsella, the co-author of the study released jointly by the Census Bureau and the National Institute on Aging, states that the “oldest old” are putting a strain on governmental services (May 21). On the contrary, I feel that all of us are fortunate to live in a nation that has the best medical and health care available.

My suggestion is that the government refrain from investing tremendous financial resources into the space program. Instead, those funds should be directed toward programs right here on Earth that will benefit both the young and the old. Our energies should be directed toward saving the youth of today, whom I fear due to drugs, gangs and violence may not reach their 20s, let alone their 80s.

Of course it’s true that some of those older than 85 years of age require some type of assistance, but the remainder (including myself) are thankful to be vibrant, healthy, active and independent. I can personally assure Kinsella that my three children would never allow me to become a financial burden to society.

JACOB BLITZSTEIN

Los Angeles