Spread the truth: SS Fund = Legal Federal Treasuries

[newthinking]

Please, the next time you hear someone repeating the lie that the Social Security fund "was already spent" or it is just an "IOU" correct them. Don't let this POLITICAL lie pass.

Please read the Facts here.

Social Security funds exist and are US Treasuries, which are considered the most secure and tangible form of note that currently exists. Saying that it is not a real firm asset is like saying that the dollars in your wallet are just "Paper" and only worth the cost of printing.

Why should it be acceptable for our government and people to even consider DEFAULTING or Deflating those Treasuries, while not touching the Trillions in other Treasury obligations owned by the wealthy, other governments, and institutions, as some of our people and politicians freely speak of? They are the same form of currency with the same backing. They are all legal notes exchangeable for legal tender.


From the FAQ on SS funds linked above:

How are the trust funds invested?

By law, income to the trust funds must be invested, on a daily basis, in securities guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the Federal government. All securities held by the trust funds are "special issues" of the United States Treasury. Such securities are available only to the trust funds.
In the past, the trust funds have held marketable Treasury securities, which are available to the general public. Unlike marketable securities, special issues can be redeemed at any time at face value. Marketable securities are subject to the forces of the open market and may suffer a loss, or enjoy a gain, if sold before maturity. Investment in special issues gives the trust funds the same flexibility as holding cash.

Why do some people describe the "special issue" securities held by the trust funds as worthless IOUs? What is SSA's reaction to this criticism?

As stated above, money flowing into the trust funds is invested in U. S. Government securities. Because the government spends this borrowed cash, some people see the trust fund assets as an accumulation of securities that the government will be unable to make good on in the future. Without legislation to restore long-range solvency of the trust funds, redemption of long-term securities prior to maturity would be necessary.
Far from being "worthless IOUs," the investments held by the trust funds are backed by the full faith and credit of the U. S. Government. The government has always repaid Social Security, with interest. The special-issue securities are, therefore, just as safe as U.S. Savings Bonds or other financial instruments of the Federal government.

Many options are being considered to restore long-range trust fund solvency. These options are being considered now, over 20 years in advance of the year the funds are likely to be exhausted. It is thus likely that legislation will be enacted to restore long-term solvency, making it unlikely that the trust funds' securities will need to be redeemed on a large scale prior to maturity.

http://www.ssa.gov/oact/progdata/fundFAQ.html

[pinto]

1. Excellent points. And, as always, it's best to go to the source (here it's the SSA) as you've done.

[pa28]

2. K&R

[freshwest]

3. Thanks for refuting so much CT with this post. The GOP, Paulites, etc. all make this claim on one

side and the bankster CT makes it on both sides of the political schism, until they merge and become one forces that says SS is a scam.

They have no idea what it is when they start with intense anti-USA-government stuff. It's real people's lives that are affected by tearing down all the institutions we have paid into and worked to create over the year. And that's what the GOP has always wanted, not us.