Social Security and the 1%

Last week, the top 1% of wage earners in America stopped paying Social Security tax -- so our SEIU members set out to educate the public about the unfair tax cap.

In Oregon, SEIU 503 members joined community allies in Portland, Salem and Albany to offer "free rides" in a fake Cadillac to passersby to illustrate that America's wealthiest, like Mitt Romney, are paying just a fraction of what the rest of us pay in Social Security tax when comparing our overall income. SEIU members in California also spoke out about the Social security tax cap, distributing fliers that highlighted the disparity in Social Security taxes.

"If the wealthiest 1 percent paid Social Security taxes for all their income, more money would be available for those seniors who survive only on Social Security," SEIU Local 1000 President Yvonne Walker wrote last week in a post about why all workers deserve a secure retirement.

LeeLa Coleman, an SEIU member who works in public health, explained why we need to eliminate the Social Security tax cap and make everyone pay their fair share:

"As a public health worker, it's hard to imagine what it would be like to own two Cadillacs let alone earn Mitt Romney's salary," LeeLa wrote in a blog post on SEIU Local 503's website. "For most of us in the 99 percent, the reality of retirement means figuring out how to live on less than $1,200 per month. That's what most low wage workers receive from Social Security. We must strengthen Social Security so that it will be around for future generations of Americans and so those Americans with no other source of income can still survive on Social Security alone. All of this could be achieved by eliminating the cap on Social Security taxes so that everyone pays the same percentage of their pay into the Social Security Trust Fund."

People across the country have also signed onto a petition calling on Congress to eliminate the Social Security tax cap. Read what some of the petition signers had to say below, and be sure to check out video from our Oregon members at the bottom of this page:

"It is only fair that the wealthiest among us contribute their full share to the Social Security system... Many people of limited means contribute far more into the system than they ever receive. Eliminate the Social Security Tax Cap to strengthen our United Sates and the people in them."

"I am signing this petition because at age 41 I only just recently began thinking about my retirement. I don't want social security deleted from our safety net, even if when I retire I may not need it... How will we support folks who won't have this? In what condition will our elders be living in without it, particularly those who have no other opportunities to save for retirement?"

"My mother worked hard but fell short of the set amount to receive [Social Security] benefits, but she paid into the system. There should be no cap especially for people who make a lot of money and benefit from the system anyway. I believe we are steadily loosing our sense of dignity especially in our treatment of our senior citizens."

"As a person forced by unemployment onto Social Security at age 62, I would like to see benefits for all seniors secured and possibly increased as everyone pays their fair share to give us all a fair shake."

"I believe that all of us should pay into the SS system on all of our income. That is the only fair way to do it. Many seniors have only SS to live on. Let's make it secure for all by having everyone pay and remove the income cap which gives the most affluent a "free ride"."

"With company pensions disappearing, and an individual's ability to save and invest hampered by market fluctuations and the poor economy, Social Security benefits are more vital than ever!... It would be a fair and simple matter to tax all earned income at the same percentage. It benefits us all when the disabled, elderly and surviving children are cared for."