Writers misinformed about Social Security

March 13 marked the second time in less than a week that Fence Post had published a letter with false information regarding congressional pensions. In both cases, the writers stated that members of Congress do not participate in Social Security. That is a commonly believed falsehood. It is true that prior to 1984 members of Congress did not pay into the Social Security fund because they participated in the Civil Service Retirement System. That system was closed to government employees hired after 1983. While exceptions may still exist for a few members who were in Congress prior to 1984, it is a fact that members of Congress are part of the same Social Security program that the letter writers claim to be part of.

I urge the Daily Herald to reinstate the use of the “Editor’s Note” that was common in days past, and which was used to correct erroneous information contained in letters to the editor. It is not in the interest of informed debate to distribute misinformation to your readers.

Kevin Corry

Bartlett