To the Editor:

After the elections, Congress will begin moving on its plan to cut the deficit. We all need to insist that Social Security is left out of the discussion. Social Security is completely funded by workers and their employers. It’s fully funded beyond 2030.

But there is a ceiling, or cap, on payroll deductions for Social Security which is set at $110,000 in earnings. In other words, people who earn more than that don’t have to pay on their higher earnings. Getting rid of that cap would extend Social Security’s solvency out another 45 years if we left benefits where they are now.

There is no need to cut anyone’s Social Security benefits, now or in the future. Don’t let Congress do it. Let’s stand up for our grandchildren and get rid of that payroll cap. Call U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins today and tell them to protect our grandchildren by removing the payroll cap.

Wanda Ballew
Bowdoin