Home News Markets Technology Commentary Personal Finance Autos Real Estate
Personal Finance > Retirement
    SAVE   |   EMAIL   |   PRINT   |   RSS  

Myths, half-truths and exaggerations
Here are just 5 swirling around the Social Security reform debate.
January 18, 2005: 10:02 AM EST
By Jeanne Sahadi, CNN/Money senior writer
SPECIAL REPORT
Social Security »»
Click here

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) – The Social Security debate is shaping up to be quite a noisy battle of idealogues, politicians, pundits and PR specialists.

That means truth – or at least the whole truth delivered in context – is sometimes sacrificed or exaggerated by both sides in the interest of making their point. Oh, and your friends and neighbors may have a few things wrong, too.

So beware the blarney.

In hopes of setting the record straight (or at least straighter), here is a starter list of myths, half-truths and overblown facts that have been flying around.

(Check back from time to time to see what's been added.)

Half-truth/exaggeration: Social Security is going bankrupt. Social Security is not going bankrupt.

Half-truth/exaggeration: The system is facing an $11 trillion shortfall.

Half-truth/exaggeration: There is a surplus. There is not a surplus.

Myth: Benefits will be cut for today's retirees.

Myth: Social Security benefits are guaranteed.

 

   Top of page

graphic


YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS
Follow the news that matters to you. Create your own alert to be notified on topics you're interested in.

Or, visit Popular Alerts for suggestions.
Manage alerts | What is this?