Streetwise Streetwise (March 04, 2005)

Should Social Security be privatized? Asked in downtown Pleasanton

Michele Moore
Amaral Circle
No. Research shows people aren't saving currently for retirement, so turning Social Security money over to them makes me question if it would be invested well. I know there are fewer workers and more retirees, but the data isn't convincing that Social Security will run out of money the way it currently is structured.

Peggy Murray
Blackbird Drive
Yes. I think it should be privatized if they can do it partially. But I'd like to see all the funds kept separate so that the government can't dip into it, no matter how much they privatize. I think the system needs to be changed and revised.

Dolly Nicholas
Corte Trancas
No. Social Security was never designed to meet all the retirement needs of an aging public. I think putting Social Security into funds that are subject to the vagaries of the market would put them more at risk than having them managed by the government in general. It hasn't been ideal, but it is better than something that is relatively unproven.

Jim Garrido
Mirador Drive
At this point it hasn't been thought out enough as to what happens if people lose all their money and who would take care of them when they get old. So as it is, I'm against it. So far, I think Social Security works OK. My son currently gets it because my wife died.

Paul Bierbower
Bonde Court
No. The reason is that I think it was put in place to ensure that people have a stable income at retirement age. I think that giving a part of it to the general population wouldn't be good because I don't think they would invest it wisely.

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