Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Recently there has been a lot made of the future of Social Security given the recent discussion about perceived cuts and office closures. Let’s examine both.

As of January, there were 1,282 SS offices nationwide. Social Security is funded with payroll taxes paid by employees, employers, and the self-employed. The tax revenue goes into two trust funds: the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Disability Insurance Trust Fund for disabled beneficiaries.

The Board of Trustees of Social Security and Medicare issue an annual report on current and projected financial status. They project that the OASI reserve funds will be depleted in 2033. Payroll receipts will be sufficient to pay just 79 percent of scheduled benefits in 2033, meaning 70 million people will see a 21 percent cut in benefits, assuming nothing changes.

There are lots of proposed solutions. All necessitate some changes for future recipients and/or higher SS taxes for high income earners. None impact current or soon-to-be recipients.

Criticism of SS fixes is only valid if accompanied by better ideas. Commercials showing grandma getting wheeled off a cliff are designed to stoke emotion and keep us on the path to disaster. None of the fixes affect current recipients.

Regarding office closures, there are 10 (out of 1,282) that DOGE recommended closing. None are in Virginia. The office closures are part of a strategy to consolidate government real estate and reduce operating costs.

Most of these areas have other nearby offices. For those that don’t, there is concern that applicants that can’t use or don’t have computers or cell phones might have trouble getting signed up due to increased travel distance to the nearest office. While a small group of people, it is a valid concern that can and should be addressed.

Barry Battista
Deltaville, Va.