Benita is a case manager at a senior center in a mid-sized city, which has seen substantial population losses due to the shutdown of industries that had long dominated the area. As a result, many of her clients lack local family and feel quite isolated. Whenever there are headlines about cutting Social Security, Benita gets panicked calls from clients, most of whom have only their monthly Social Security check to rely on for all of their expenses. Often, they know almost nothing about Social Security or how it is funded, what their rights are, or even what is being proposed. They are just frightened about losing what little money they receive each month and winding up homeless or worse. Benita sets out to learn more about Social Security and what is being proposed so she can educate her clients.

• What should Benita know about how the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program is funded?
• What should Benita know about the ability of the Trust Fund to sustain Social Security payments?
• What do you think should be done about the Social Security program? Why?