Just the facts about Social Security

On May 26, 2010, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) wrote an op-ed in Politico defending Social Security’s solvency, and refuting many concerns cited by critics. Intrigued, I contacted the Congressman’s press secretary by phone the following day to interview the Congressman about his assertions, and to contrast them with what I have heard and read from critics of Social Security. His press secretary and I exchanged several phone calls, and I sent two follow-up e-mails regarding an interview. After receiving no response, I moved forward.

I decided to interview James Agresti, the founder of the non-profit think tank Just Facts, about the very dark future Social Security faces. I intended to write a full article, as opposed to a simple transcript, but without the Congressman’s perspective and given the critical information James provided, I decided to stick with a simple transcript. The audio of the interview can be heard here.

(Full disclosure: I met James at a Leadership Institute seminar last April, and we have kept in touch since. I am a regular caller on his Tuesday evening radio show, Just Facts Radio.)

Dustin Siggins: Anthony Weiner, the Rep. from New York, wrote a piece supporting Social Security as a vital part of retirement for Americans. He said the program was in very little to no trouble, and was perfectly solvent. This was a couple of weeks ago, in a Friday’s [Correction: The op-ed was written on a Wednesday] Politico. I called the Congressman’s office twice, I traded e-mails with his Press Secretary- they did not get back to me. So, I’m writing the article, because I’m past my deadline.