This is just a note of warning. The attack on Social Security has started. That is the first step — to undermine it. The suggestion is made that it is filled with fraud. The proof is given that people 130 years old and older are receiving Social Security. The reason impossibly old people are in the Social Security database is that Social Security has an outdated computer system, and if a birthdate is not given, then these ridiculous ages are entered by default. They do not receive Social Security because virtually all of them are dead.

Social Security will be solvent until 2034. One way to extend its solvency by 75% is to address the limits on contributions. People earning around $170,000 and above are no longer paying into Social Security, but they will collect it. If that benchmark were raised to $200,000, Social Security would be solvent for many years to come as well as being fairer. The solution to funding Social Security is not that complicated — unless those undermining it do not really want a solution.

Another suggestion is concerning. That is to have a private company handle Social Security. There are at least a couple of companies who could take on that task — they have overheads of around 12 percent. The Social Security Administration has an overhead of 1%. The money required to privatize would come out of the Social Security fund. Since the claims of fraud lack substance and the overhead is low, it would behoove our legislators to take a much simpler course — requiring more persons to contribute.

Over the years, both Democrats and Republicans have taken money out of Social Security. In a past election, candidates ran on promising to put Social Security in a lockbox. Too many legislators seem to still hold a key. Perhaps if both parties repaid what they have taken, then solvency would not be a problem. If people make this suggestion to their senators and representatives, it is likely we will hear no more about fraud because then our legislators would have to defend themselves against theft.