Since it was created, our Social Security system has provided all working Americans a path to earning vital retirement, disability, and survivors’ benefits, regardless of wealth or income level. Even as our economy has improved, many middle class Americans have continued to face stagnating wages and a substantial loss of home equity and savings. As a result of growing health care costs, disappearing traditional pensions, and the failure of 401(k) retirement savings plans, the middle class faces a retirement income crisis. In short, middle class Americans are likely to depend increasingly on Social Security’s modest benefits in the future. Social Security should not only be protected for middle class Americans; it should be expanded.
