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Marylanders Concerned About The Future Of Social Security

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--At age 75, the Social Security program is well past the minimum retirement age for the people it serves, but discussions about reforming the system have some Marylanders speaking out about its future.

Political reporter Pat Warren has more on their concerns.

Now this is the kind of retirement most people dream of—an active, vital, healthy life financially supplemented by Social Security. But ideas bouncing around Washington about reforming Social Security have the Maryland Strengthen Social Security Coalition crying foul.

"Working people have to stand up along with Social Security recipients, along with seniors," said John Gage, American Federation of Government Employees. "We all have to look at what is happening."

What's happened is a commission appointed by President Obama proposes cuts to Social Security and an increase in the age of eligibility.

Congressman Elijah Cummings addressed the group Friday, offering reassurances to people like Ruthanne Kaufman, who was forced to retire.

"There had been some consolidations where I work. I had already taken a cut in hours to 20 hours a week. I came in one morning and was called into the office and told that my job no longer existed," Kaufman said.

"I'd hate to see benefits reduced," said Cummings. "I'd hate to see the age increased where by you might qualify for Social Security. I think what's going to happen is that we're going to have a hodgepodge of various solutions that are going to be used to make sure Social Security stays in tack. It's hard to say exactly which one's they'll be."

Social Security may be 75-years-old, but millions of Americans are banking on the hope that the old girl still has a lot of life left.

On its present course, its estimated Social Security reserves will be depleted by 2037.

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