Social Security Works!

A growing chorus of prominent voices in Congress and elsewhere are calling for the expansion of our Social Security system—people who know that Social Security will not “go broke” and does not add a penny to the national debt.
Social Security Works! will amplify these voices and offer a powerful antidote to the three-decade-long, billionaire-funded campaign to make us believe that this vital institution is destined to collapse. It isn't.



From the Silent Generation to Baby Boomers, from Generation X to Millennials and Generation Z, we all have a stake in understanding the real story about Social Security. Critical to addressing the looming retirement crisis that will affect two- thirds of today's workers, Social Security is a powerful program that can help stop the collapse of the middle class, lessen the pressure squeezing families from all directions, and help end the upward redistribution of wealth that has resulted in perilous levels of inequality.



All Americans deserve to have dignified retirement years as well as an umbrella to protect them and their families in the event of disability or premature death. Sure to be a game-changer,
Social Security Works! cogently presents the issues and sets forth both an agenda and a political strategy that will benefit us all. At stake are our values and the kind of country we want for ourselves and for those that follow.

A growing chorus of prominent voices in Congress and elsewhere are calling for the expansion of our Social Security system—people who know that Social Security will not “go broke” and does not add a penny to the national debt.
Social Security Works! will amplify these voices and offer a powerful antidote to the three-decade-long, billionaire-funded campaign to make us believe that this vital institution is destined to collapse. It isn't.



From the Silent Generation to Baby Boomers, from Generation X to Millennials and Generation Z, we all have a stake in understanding the real story about Social Security. Critical to addressing the looming retirement crisis that will affect two- thirds of today's workers, Social Security is a powerful program that can help stop the collapse of the middle class, lessen the pressure squeezing families from all directions, and help end the upward redistribution of wealth that has resulted in perilous levels of inequality.



All Americans deserve to have dignified retirement years as well as an umbrella to protect them and their families in the event of disability or premature death. Sure to be a game-changer,
Social Security Works! cogently presents the issues and sets forth both an agenda and a political strategy that will benefit us all. At stake are our values and the kind of country we want for ourselves and for those that follow.

Contents




Part I: The Facts

Chapter 1: The Changing Conversation

Chapter 2: Social Security Works for All Generations




Part II: The Challenges

Chapter 3: The Precarious Lives of Today's Old

Chapter 4: The Coming Retirement Income Crisis

Chapter 5: The Debt Owed to Those Who Care

Chapter 6: The New Gilded Age




Part III: The Solutions

Chapter 7: Expand Social Security for All Generations

Chapter 8: Paying the Bill




Part IV: The Threats

Chapter 9: The Billionaires' War Against Social Security

Chapter 10: The Conventional “Wisdom” is Just Plain Wrong




Part V: Next Steps

Chapter 11: The Threat is Great, The Stakes are High

Chapter 12: Passing Social Security Forward: A Legacy for All Generations



Appendix I: Additional Explanation about How Social Security Works

Appendix II: Additional Information about Social Security Works All Generations Plan and Other Proposals, including Cost and Revenue Estimates

Appendix III: Descriptions of Various Social Security Expansion Legislative Bills and Experts' Plans

Appendix IV: Leading Organizations Working to Expand Social Security