In response to Marc Perkel’s May 24 letter enthusiastically welcoming the raising of the Social Security age to 80, I suggest that Congress first pass legislation to prevent companies from downsizing their employees.
My husband was just downsized at age 52. He is not considered “retired” because he can’t receive a pension. Seasoned employees don’t even have a recourse in the courts for age discrimination because the courts are ruling in favor of companies who are looking out for their bottom line.
Who is looking out for our bottom line? We have no intention of depending on Social Security benefits to support us later on. We have a 401(k) and savings. Unfortunately, we have to be employed to contribute to a 401(k). And companies find they can save their bottom line by hiring more part-time employees so they don’t have to provide them medical and other benefits. Congress should also pass a law to prohibit companies from doing this.
And although Mr. Perkel states improved medical technology has enabled Americans to live well past the intended Social Security age, I believe these healthy 70- and 80-year-olds are in the minority. Our bagger at my local Jewel can barely pick up a two-pound can of stewed tomatoes. And headlines tout the inability of some seniors to even navigate the expressways, let alone a jogging path.
At age 52, my husband will have to work three jobs to make the wages he had earned at his previous job, and he wasn’t even a six-figure-a-year employee. Companies would rather hire two or three college students at one third the salary of the 30-year veteran. There are only so many job openings available for greeters at Wal-Mart or baggers at Jewel for all the over-50 employees being booted.
So let’s not be too quick to jump on the age 80 bandwagon. Very few people will live long enough to receive their contributions.
