Don’t make Social Security system global

We retained a well-regarded law firm to study the U.S./Mexico Social Security totalization agreement and tell us what, if anything, it would mean to current Social Security recipients when it is signed.

Here is what we were told: They believe that if the agreement goes into effect, the millions of Mexican citizens who will become eligible for Social Security benefits may have a far stronger claim to benefits and protection against cuts than U.S. citizens.

This will happen because a well known U.S. Supreme Court ruling known as Fleming vs. Nestor makes it clear that Congress can cut or change the Social Security benefits you and I receive at any time and that Americans do not have a right to Social Security benefits, no matter what Congress or Social Security administration may have promised in the past, how much you have paid in or how much you may be hurt by cuts.

However, the promises to pay benefits made in the agreement with Mexico will be protected because they are made in a legally enforceable international agreement.

This means that the millions of Mexican citizens and dependents who are covered under the agreement will have almost bulletproof protection against Social Security cuts and changes such as those that are being discussed in Washington.

Social Security must not become a global welfare system. I urge all senior citizens to contact Iowa senators and representatives and let them know that we expect them to support legislation such as S. 95 and S. 181, and reject plans for both an illegal immigrant amnesty and the U.S. Mexico Social Security Treaty.

Vera J. Bowman

Williamsburg