Beginning of Essay
As we look toward helping shape the system of tomorrow, we need to remember that there is no immediate financial crisis. The long-term financing problem is manage- able-if we act sooner rather than later. However, there are choices to be made ... by the American ....

Middle of Essay
.... on which taxes are paid should be higher. They say that the current earnings limit of $72,600 in 1999 allows wealthier Americans to avoid paying taxes on some of their income. Critics say that is supposed to be a foundation for retirement planning. If wealthier people contributed more than they now do in taxes, they would either have to receive more-and in some cases much more-than they now do in benefit payments, or they would not receive any additional benefits for their added contributions into the system. On the investment side, some people support the creation of individual savings accounts for all workers that would supplement or repla ....