Let's look at the facts. Social Security is the most successful domestic program in our nation's history. Since 1935, it has been America's only guaranteed source of retirement income. It is a promise our country makes to working Americans and retirees. And we don't believe a promise should have an expiration date. 

While Social Security is strong now, it is true that the program needs some changes so it will always be able to pay full benefits for all generations -- today and tomorrow. The changes needed don't have to be drastic and the guarantee Social Security provides is one worth strengthening, not replacing. 

As it stands today, Social Security will be able to pay every penny of promised benefits until 2042. The only guarantee you can count on with private accounts is that they can lose money just as fast as they can make it. Whatever your income level, a safety net is vital to protecting your retirement security. 

In addition, private accounts carved out of Social Security may cost people more. It is the wrong value for many to pay more and get less. Just to switch to this new system may require as much as $2 trillion and eventually would lead to benefit cuts, new taxes or more debt. Most of us would then have to pay twice to gamble on this new plan -- first to keep our commitments to current retirees and again to pay into these private accounts. Some critics of these personal accounts think that Wall Street, not retirees, would be the real beneficiaries. 

Of course, Social Security is only one pillar of a strong retirement plan. AARP encourages Americans to plan, save and invest for their retirement years -- and we also believe that having access to affordable health care, including prescription drug coverage, is essential to a secure retirement. But we also understand that Social Security is the dividing line between a life of dignity and a life of struggle for millions of middle-class and low-income older Americans. And we will not stand by and let this rock-solid guarantee be replaced with a risky gamble. 

But this is more than a question of dollars and cents. It is a question of values. As a nation that has always honored its commitments to its people and the future, what would it say about us if we broke the promise of Social Security? As a people who have always valued the well-being and dignity of every citizen, what would it say about us if we drew a generational dividing line, pitting old against young? 
Now that Social Security has moved to the top of the political agenda, we must all work together to protect it. We must ensure that Social Security's guaranteed and inflation-protected lifetime benefits stay in place for generations to come. We think that is a benefit and a promise worth fighting for.