Social Security is a remarkably successful initiative. Earned after a lifetime of work, this vital program is the primary source of income for two-thirds of seniors, and the only source of income for one-fifth of seniors. As a result, less than 10% of older Americans live in poverty today, using their monthly benefits to meet their needs such as paying for groceries, putting fuel in their car, and heating or cooling their homes.
Unfortunately, there are those who are willing to gamble with the retirement security of millions of older Americans throughout the state of Nevada. Social Security is far too important to leave to the ups and downs of Wall Street – which we’ve all seen recently as being both unreliable and difficult to predict. Yet, that’s precisely the plan for those who have not learned the lessons of the economic crisis.
Senator Reid has made it one of his top priorities to defend Social Security against any attempts to dismantle the program through privatization. He led the charge to successfully defeat former President George W. Bush’s reckless privatization plan that would have left millions of seniors without the stability and security they have a right to expect. As Senate Majority Leader, Senator Reid continues to beat back harmful cuts in funding that would leave too many without the support they deserve.
