BrightPersonal FinanceRetirementFixed Income

‘I’ll Tell You What’s Wrong With Social Security!’

Being angry about social security is unwarranted if we’re being misled by false information.
Save
‘I’ll Tell You What’s Wrong With Social Security!’
People share a lot of misconceptions about social security. Comeback Images/Shutterstock
Tom Margenau
Updated:
0:00

Every single day, more than a few of the emails I get from readers start out with this (or a similar) phrase: “I'll tell you what’s wrong with Social Security!”

They proceed to do just that. Sadly, their little rant is almost always wrong and based on a misunderstanding of Social Security rules or misinformation they picked up—usually off the internet.

Tom Margenau
Tom Margenau
Author
Tom Margenau worked for 32 years in a variety of positions for the Social Security Administration before retiring in 2005. He has served as the director of SSA’s public information office, the chief editor of more than 100 SSA publications, a deputy press officer and spokesman, and a speechwriter for the commissioner of Social Security. For 12 years, he also wrote Social Security columns for local newspapers, and recently published the book “Social Security: Simple and Smart.” If you have a Social Security question, contact him at [email protected]
Related Topics