Here are just 5 swirling around the Social Security reform debate.
January 14, 2005: 4:26 PM EST
By Jeanne Sahadi, CNN/Money senior writer
ON CNN-Money web site no less!
http://money.cnn.com/2005/01/13/retirement/straight_dope/index.htmHalf-truth/exaggeration: Social Security is going bankrupt. Social Security is not going bankrupt.
Half-truth/exaggeration: The system is facing an $11 trillion shortfall.
Half-truth/exaggeration: There is a surplus. There is not a surplus.
Myth: Benefits will be cut for today's retirees.
Myth: Social Security benefits are guaranteed.
Excerpt form There is a surplus, There is not a surplus.
Here's what we know: Social Security has collected more than it has paid out for 20 years.
The excess money has been loaned to the U.S. Treasury in exchange for special-issue Treasury bonds.