One of the primary purposes of the Social Security programs is that one in every four workers will be disabled at some point in their life. The benefits of Social Security act like a safety net, providing money and medical treatment if you are to become disabled. There are two forms of benefits that come from Social Security, Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSD benefits are based on your work record from the past ten years before your disability. If you don't qualify for SSD benefits, you could qualify for SSI benefits. SSI pays a lower monthly payment and may be reduced depending on any relatives living in the same household. Both benefits account for any minor children living with you as well. Social Security is a pay-as-you-go program, meaning that today's generation of workers pays taxes into the program that flow out in monthly checks to retired parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
             Social Security is a universal program, meaning Americans share the responsibility of paying for disability, untimely death and low earnings of elderly; this is why it is considered "social." Once the system is privatized, the responsibility is pushed onto the individual. The current Social Security program is considered "secure" because it provides benefits relative to a worker's earning history, using a set benefit formula. With the privatized system, a worker's level of benefit may not be adequate relative to their earnings history, again pushing the risk onto the individual. Privatizing social security means that a portion of Social Security payroll taxes are diverted into individual private accounts, used to save for eventual retirement. As of right now, 12.4% of all wages are subject to payroll tax. Employees contribute half that amount and employers contribute the other half. With a privatized plan, employees can choose to have portions of their payroll tax placed into a private account and decide...