Copyright 1999 Plain Dealer Publishing Co.
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February 7, 1999 Sunday, FINAL / ALL
SECTION: LIVING; Pg. 7K
LENGTH: 708 words
HEADLINE:
AIRING WOMEN'S VIEWS ON SOCIAL SECURITY
BYLINE: KAREN
McNALLY BENSING
BODY:
Women rely more on Social
Security for retirement income than men. The live longer than men. They spend
less time in the work force and are paid less than men. Women are more likely to
be widowed than men. They are also less likely to have pension income than men.
As a result, the poverty rate for women over 65 is almost twice that of
men in that age group. More than 20 percent of older widows live in poverty.
One-fourth of older unmarried women rely on Social Security for all of their
income in later life. For three out of four, Social Security checks represent
half their income every month. For all those reasons, women are paying close
attention to plans laid out by President Clinton and others to ensure the
solvency of Social Security.
Last month nearly 200 Greater Clevelanders
attended a teleconference to hear first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Rep.
Jennifer Dunn, a Washington Republican; personal financial expert Jane Bryant
Quinn and representatives from the Social Security Administration discuss
proposals designed to ensure that the system remains solid into the next
century.
"What Every Woman Should Know About Social Security" was
sponsored by Americans Discuss Social Security, a nonpartisan group devoted to
ensuring that citizens' voices are heard by legislators about this important
issue. Cleveland was one of 12 cities where the forum was held.
"The
future of Social Security is the most important issue facing the country and
women today," said Clinton.
Throughout the day, participants had an
opportunity to share their thoughts on Social Security reform in roundtable
discussions. The majority of forum participants were women, most of whom were
between the ages of 35 and 64, the first group likely to be affected by any
changes that may take place in Social Security.
Carol Calderone, 59,
drove in from Valley View with her daughter, Teresa Sejkora. Calderone's husband
is already retired but receives reduced benefits from Social Security. As a
former postal employee, his Social Security benefits are offset by the
government pension he receives, even though he paid into both systems. Calderone
believes the system is unfair to government workers.
Diane Hanon is also
concerned about government pension offsets. At 50, she is
looking forward to retiring in five years after a 30-year career at Cleveland
State University. Like Calderone's husband, her Social Security checks will be
reduced because she also paid into the Public Employees Retirement System.
Betty Pinkney, 62, noted that "the concept of Social Security changed a
lot since my grandmother's day. She's 97 and never worked and lived off her
husband's Social Security after he died."
As experts bombarded
participants with facts, figures, calculations, the pros of stock market
investments and the cons of increasing payroll taxes, many participants were
determined that whatever changes were made, the system had to continue to
provide benefits for those most in need of financial assistance. Social Security
not only provides retirement benefits but also pays benefits to those with
disabilities and the children of parents with disabilities.
"The safety
net must remain strong," said Hanon.
Jeanne Martin, a nurse who works as
an administrator in a nursing home added, "People who work in nursing homes
often don't have pensions. If they make only minimum wage they can't save and
work till they drop. I'm lucky. I married a teacher with a good retirement
plan."
Participants admitted there are no easy answers. "Fixing Social
Security needs a lot of thought. There are no quick fixes," said Hanon. Several
participants disagreed with recommendations that the retirement age be raised.
People employed in physically demanding jobs may be unable to continue to work
if they develop health problems. Patsy Reid, 62, of Hiram explained that her
husband had to retire at 43 after a heart attack and receives Social Security
benefits.
Pinkney suggested that the cap on the total amount of income
on which Social Security taxes must be paid should be removed. "The wealthy
should put back into the country what they take out," she said. Others said that
benefits should be reduced for those in upper income brackets.
GRAPHIC: PHOTO BY: ROADELL HICKMAN / PLAIN DEALER
PHOTOGRAPHER; The recent teleconference on Social Security in Cleveland
attracted, from left, Diane Hanon, Teresa Sejkora and Carol Calderone.
COLUMN: COMING OF AGE
LOAD-DATE: February 8, 1999 
