I’m a baby boomer and my eligibility age to receive the social security full benefit increased from 65 to 66. This seemed like a reasonable approach to extend the financial solvency of the Social Security trust fund. I retained the option to draw social security at age 62 thru 65 with reduced benefits or continue working thru age 70 at more than full benefits. With the average person living longer it is appropriate that they pay social security taxes longer.

The current social security tax rate is 12.4% of earned income up to the maximum wage base. The employee pays 6.2% and the employer pays 6.2%. Self employed persons pay the entire 12.4%. The 2019 maximum wage base is $132,900. The social security maximum benefit is associated with the maximum wage base. I suggest eliminating the maximum wage base and the associated maximum benefit.

I oppose using federal income tax to fund social security trust fund deficits. If there are insufficient funds then benefit payments should be decreased. Congress should be chastised for failure to act in a timely manner. The longer Congress stalls, the greater the benefit adjustment, and the less time there is for current and future recipients to minimize the impact.