Story:
The Social Security Debate, 3/3/04
Reading Comprehension Questions: 1. Why is Alan Greenspan concerned about the nation's Social Security system?
2. Who are the Baby Boomers and how might they affect the Social Security system?
3. What is Social Security?
4. How is the Social Security system administered?
5. What is President Bush's proposal for securing Social Security and balancing the budget?
6. Why does Sen. John Kerry oppose the president's plan? Discussion Activity (more research might be needed): 1.
Several options are mentioned in the story: raising the retirement age; lowering
the yearly benefit increase; allowing workers to set up their own accounts and
invest in the stock market; not paying benefits to wealthy Americans who do not
need it. Which options do you support? Think of some others. 2. Write down different ideas about changing the system and then discuss which groups might oppose or support each idea (i.e. older Americans receiving Social Security might fight smaller yearly increases, 55-year-olds might fight an increase in the retirement age, financial companies might want more people to invest in the stock market). How much power do these groups have? How do they influence lawmakers? 3. Many people in their teens and twenties believe the issue of Social Security does not affect them. After reading more about Social Security, explain why young people should be concerned about government policy on Social Security?
Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site. |