To the Journal editor:

One wonders about the monthly letter writing campaign of Stewart Epstein, Rochester, New York on Social Security, when it would make more sense to address his concerns to his New York delegation.

Maybe Mr. Epstein is a concerned citizen who views the Upper Peninsula as a remote outpost that only receives its news by carrier pigeon or dog sled and needs the input of a sophisticated New Yorker. Or, perhaps, he is simply a partisan … who is trying to resurrect the hoary myth that evil Republicans sit around plotting ways to deprive retirees of their Social Security.

To support his thesis, Mr. Epstein provides several inaccuracies or he doesn’t understand how Social Security works.

He refers to Social Security as a safety net. No it isn’t. Safety nets are based on need. Social Security is based on reaching retirement age. Need is not a factor.

Then he proclaims Social Security is a triumph of socialism. Social Security is not socialist; in that benefits are based on the amount one has paid in. If one has paid in nothing they receive nothing unless they were married to someone who did.

In fact, the Democrats have argued forever that it is “my money” and I will get it all back. Mr. Epstein will have to decide whether he agrees with Democrats that it’s my money or part belongs to someone else.

Lastly, Mr. Epstein takes umbrage at someone describing Social Security as a Ponzi scheme. It is, in the sense that present FICA receipts are paying present retirees and are underfunding future retirees.

Ponzi Scheme: first ones in make out like bandits, last ones in get the short end of the stick.

In fact this is the reason Social Security has not been fixed. Any diversion of present FICA receipts will expose how underfunded it is for future retirees. It will require a huge infusion of cash to change.

Social Security is fundamentally broken and cannot be repaired in its present form.

Beware of politicians and opinion writers (who should know better) that all we need to do is raise the cap on FICA. They will be “astonished” to discover that hasn’t fixed anything. The billionaire pays in an extra million and on retirement gets his million back. Remember, it’s his money.

In so far as one is able, fund or supplement your own retirement.

GEORGE GEIKAS

Munising