I just got an e mail from a group that is trying to prevent cuts to Social Security. They presented Agnes, a librarian in Charleston South Carolina with a torn rotator cuff who finds work to be a painful ordeal. I'm sure Rush Limbaugh would find something to chuckle about. I would not be joining him.
The focus of the ad is a proposal supported by South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham to raise the retirement age. Agnes understandably dreads the thought of hanging in for an extra year, two or three.
What other options are available to Agnes? Is there disability? What are the laws governing it in South Carolina? Can she receive workmen's compensation if her injury was caused by something on the job? Does she want to retire or get a job that would put less strain on her shoulder and arm?
There are two problems faced by people like Agnes who are approaching retirement age. There aren't too many organisations that will brainstorm with someone who has a problem and match them up with a solution, whether it is in or out of government. Did anyone try to set Agnes up with medical help, food stamps or income support? What about a job doing something that doesn't involve the use of her arms like answering phone calls using a headset?
The other problem involves elderly people, or people who have medical problems that come with getting older. How many people would like to work past 65, but are held back by fear of losing medical benefits? What if income thresholds were raised for those who want to work in their old age? They could continue to pay into the system as well as draw upon what they have paid into all their lives.
Some people are robust and agile well past 65. Other people need a helping hand way before then. A system that can recognise that by enabling people to guard their health and remain productive in old age would have more money at its disposal to help people with pressing medical problems.
Elderly people have a lifetime of experience. Given the chance, many senior citizens could not only continue to work but to create jobs for younger workers as well. With a bit of creativity, those who want to work past retirement age and those who want or need to stop working earlier can be of assistance to each other. It is time to make this dream come true with greater frequency.
Senior citizens are entitled to the retirement they have worked for all of their lives. They are also entitled to work if they choose to do so. People like Agnes deserve help that is offered wholeheartedly. At the same time, government should not stand in the way. Is this what is happening now?
Click the link below for the original article with accompanying videos
http://globetribune.info/2011/01/21/a-cl...