WS Chronicle

By Althea Taylor Jones 

August 14 marks the 90th anniversary of Social Security, which has helped generations of North Carolinians retire with dignity after a lifetime of hard work. It’s one of the most successful initiatives in American history, and a new AARP survey shows it’s still doing exactly what it was built to do. I am sure that there are many North Carolinians over the age of 90, but I have not been able to identify anyone sharing the same birthdate of Aug. 15, 1935, with Social Security. However, I am personally aware of and have communicated with a few North Carolinians over the age of 90. They gladly shared a positive perspective relative to their experiences with Social Security. 

The new AARP report, released to coincide with the anniversary, confirms that Americans highly value Social Security, and even more so than five years ago. The vast majority of Americans – 95% of Republicans, 98% of Democrats, and 93% of independents – consider Social Security vital to the financial security of all Americans, and 67% believe it is even more important for retirees than it was five years ago. 

Here in North Carolina, there are 2.3 million people counting on Social Security across the state. For many, it can mean the difference between getting by and going without groceries, gas and paying utility bills. Simply put, it allows family members to rest easier knowing their parents, grandparents and great grandparents have some financial relief and protection as they age – all of which enhances their quality of life with dignity, grace and style. 

Social Security is not a handout – it’s a promise we’ve built together and a lifetime of hard work. In other words, it is indeed an “entitlement program,” simply because ALL contributors are ‘entitled’ to reap the benefits/rewards of their labor.  

I hope that our elected leaders keep that promise for all Americans. 

 Dr. Althea Taylor Jones is the Forsyth County delegate to the N.C. Senior Tar Heel Legislature, as well as the delegate to the Piedmont Triad Regional Council, Area Agency on Aging. She is a member of AARP-Winston-Salem chapter and a volunteer with AARP North Carolina.