First Person: Social Security's Solvency is Top Priority for this Florida Senior

Florida's seniors, who represent about 22 percent of the state's voting-age population, may play a large role in how the state swings on Nov. 6. As Election Day nears, Yahoo News asked Floridians near or at retirement, Medicare and Social Security age to share their thoughts on the election. Here's one perspective.

FIRST PERSON | TAMPA, Fla. -- Rarely are emotions so highly charged as during presidential campaigns. This year is no different. And as we get closer to Election Day, the barbs and rhetoric reach frenzied heights in an effort by each camp to convince people of the merits of each candidate's platform.

Although I am not yet retired, my husband, at 72, is and, at 63, I'm fast on his heels. I have chosen to not take Social Security yet, as long as I can continue to work as a medical transcriptionist. While I have an IRA and my husband a 401(k), Social Security still represents a significant supplement to our retirement income.

Both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have tried to reassure seniors that Social Security is safe and will remain safe for the foreseeable future. Medicare is another question, as Obamacare is close to becoming law. It mandates that 32 million currently uninsured people will either buy insurance or pay a penalty, and I submit the penalty will be far cheaper, and folks will remain uninsured by the millions.

Moreover, Obamacare mandates that insurance companies no longer refuse coverage based on pre-existing conditions. This spells higher prices for everyone to subsidize such a mandate. Obama would have Americans believe our insurance premiums will be reduced with his plan, and that simply is insulting to my intelligence.

Close to retirement, I am a concerned about Social Security because of all the media fanfare about the insolvency of the United States. I'd like to imagine that my part of the money is locked up somewhere, growing, albeit at a glacial pace, but still growing, until I am ready to claim it. If I were to claim my share now, at 63, I would receive about $1,100 versus 24 percent more at full retirement age. It is a savings of 8 percent per year, which I could not get in a bank. I worked for it, and I'd like to get it when the time comes. I am keeping my fingers crossed that Social Security is there as the buffer I have been promised all these years.

Romney suggested during the debates that our debt situation is fast approaching that of Greece. Such a scenario worries me. After all, in all my working years, I have contributed to Social Security. It is a form of savings account I have come to rely on. I am appalled at the debt that Obama has incurred. Through bailouts and the collapse of the real-estate market, our economy has sustained a shock that must be reined in.

Romney provides the only hope at fixing our financial mess. I have no guarantees he will make good on his promises, but Obama has imperiled our nation in many respects. My vote will go for the promise of a new day.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/first-person-social-securitys-solvency-top-priority-florida-161000736.html

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