Social Security As we look toward helping shape the Social Security system of tomorrow, we need to remember that there is no immediate financial crisis. The long-term financing problem is manage- able-if we act sooner rather than later. However, there are choices to be made ... by the American people and their government representatives. There are a variety of ways to ensure the long-term stability of Social Security. But each option involves difficult tradeoffs that need to be discussed. For example, on the benefit side, some people propose that the retirement age for full Social Security benefits should be raised further. They say that Americans are living longer and healthier lives than ev