Secure Your Future
How to teach your students about Social Security
Jan 31, 2005 3:13 PM
By MEL AARONSON
UFT treasurer
President Bush has made it very clear that he wishes to change Social Security. While the media is full of discussion about this, what has not been made clear is that Social Security is much more than just a retirement program. If the president is successful in his efforts to privatize Social Security he will be tampering with one of the most effective and well-rounded social insurance programs in history, which in addition to retirement benefits provides workers and their families with survivor protection — a form of life insurance — and disability protection.
According to government actuaries, through Social Security a young worker with average earnings provides a family of four with life insurance worth about $400,000 and disability protection of about $350,000.
How many of our students or their parents know this? Do they know that one out of four female students and one out of three male students will become severely disabled or die before reaching retirement age?
It is essential for people to have a basic understanding of Social Security and it is never too early to start thinking about it.
We have an obligation to educate our students on the basics of how Social Security may help them at various stages in life. It should play a key role in a person’s financial planning, especially for those with growing families.
Does your high school curriculum have a unit on Social Security? The Social Security Administration makes available a program know as “Social Security and You.” It is designed to be used in secondary schools and is geared to the interest level of young people. It consists of five lesson plans plus an overview lesson that may be taught as a separate session. A videotape, fact sheets, student handouts and quizzes are included.
Teachers of social studies, history, government, economics, civics, consumer education, home economics and vocational/technical education will find “Social Security and You” relevant to their classes. To order copies of SSA’s Teacher’s Kit, write to:
Social Security Administration
Office of Supply and Warehouse Management
Attn: Requisition and Quality Control Team
239 Supply Building
6301 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
You can also get the kit via phone at 1-410-965-2039; fax at 1-410-965-2037 or e-mail at oplm.oswm.rqct.orders@ssa.gov publication number: 05-10040, inventory control number: 457505
Let’s help prevent privatization by educating our students.
