The Truth About Social Security: The Founders’ Words Refute Revisionist History, Zombie Lies, and Common Misunderstandings

by Nancy J. Altman

Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works and renowned Social Security expert, brings us her third book, in which she uses the founders' own words to debunk myths and reveal the truth about the most popular and successful government program in our nation's history.

Genres: Politics, History, Economics

414 pages, Paperback

Published August 14, 2018

Reviews

[Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of primary sources, mainly speeches and published remarks by those who were a part of the Social Security Insurance laws at the beginning. It is interesting to learn that national health care was one of the intentions of FDR from the beginning but was not pushed because of resistance from the AMA. It is made clear in this book that the purpose of Social Security and the fulfillment of the original intention for the program is a work in progress. Whether you agree with this author's praise of the program or not you will find valuable information here to investigate and confirm through your own research.

[Kim Esmael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to rate it higher because the information is so important and relevant for today and our future. The problem I had was too much repetition. The book could have been one-third the length.
Important take-aways for me:
Social Security is incredibly effective and efficient - less than 1 penny of every dollar put in to SS is spent on administration, leaving more than 99 cents of every dollar to be paid in benefits.
Social Security is Insurance, NOT Welfare and not savings. Since none of us knows how long we are going to live, we cannot know how much to save (for those of us even lucky enough to have the excess income to save). Social Security will continue to provide wage replacement for as long as we live.
Being its own fund, Social Security does not add to the country's deficit or debt, so when you hear this lie, don't believe it! And those who want to move it to the general fund or privatize it, claiming to want to "strengthen Social Security" are simply working to weaken and eventually destroy it.
FDR and the entire team originally involved in the creation of Social Security were brilliant, but would probably be disappointed that we have not completed their original plan by now, which would include things like sick leave and universal healthcare. Social Security is not in need of fixing, but it is in need of expanding.

[Amy Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy Altman's latest book on Social Security should be required reading for every Baby Boomer, concerned about their own future or the futures of children and grandchildren. I am a Boomer, retired somewhat early due to health problems, and concerned that my savings won't last. This book explodes the myths that the right-wing media purports about Social Security past and future. I particularly appreciated the charts and data in the "Yogi Berra" chapter. I am so tired of hearing all the false information about a system that probably saved my widowed grandmother's life. She lost her husband in 1934 and was left to raise three children. She worked as a waitress to make a living and raise her children. Social Security benefits made all the difference for her in later life.

It is absolutely true that as Altman says, Social Security should continue to expand in accordance with its values. Perhaps every member of Congress should be given a copy of this book to fully understand what that mandate was and how important it is to the future of our country. Fully recommended for Boomers and anyone interested in justice and a solid social safety net.

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detailed, informative & somewhat boring & repetitive but this is a complete story of our social security system from it's conception to the present day. Much of the story is told in the words of its founders, FDR & others. What is especially good is the complete & thorough coverage of the ways & means of the enemies of social security, the varied modes of misrepresentation & distortion. This is a good cure for some of the misrepresentations that have stuck with us. I'll stop using the word "entitlement" in the future.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to deduct one star for the uber-annoying repeated characterization of the reactionary opponents of Social Security as "Leninists" throughout the last half of the book. Otherwise, the book is excellent.

[Steve Hostert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting book for anyone interested in Social Security and whether or not it should be expanded.

[Peter Kempenich · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and informative book that all of us need to read about the true history of Social Security. After reading it, one should ask politicians to stop lying about the status of Social Security in America...