Social security: Time for overhaul?

This half-hour documentary looks at inequities in Social Security provisions for modern American women. Critics of the system say that the lifestyles and needs of women have dramatically changed since the 1930’s when the system was designed.At issue is the dependent’s benefit which entitles a dependent wife to one-half her husband’s retirement benefit. Critics say this system is unfair to the rapidly growing number of women who are not traditional homemakers.The program visits four women: a traditional homemaker, a single career woman, a homemaker recently returned to the labor force, and a divorced woman. They share their fears about retirement years and their concern about how Social Security will protect them. The underlying intensity behind these concerns is apparent in a face-to-face discussion among them.The program looks at one likely solution –called “earnings sharing”- which could mean a redefinition of marriage into an economic partnership. Controversial and far-reaching, it would mean less for some groups of people and more for others.The program brings an issue into focus for the first time that promises to be one of the major government policy debate of the 1980’s.