Modernizing social security.(surveys of non-retired people)

In 1979, non-retired Americans told pollsters from Hart Research that Social Security would be their most important source of retirement income. In Gallup's 2004 question, non-retired people were far more likely to say that private pensions would be a major source of income. Nearly a majority of non-retired Americans say they are "not confident at all" that the system will be around for them. These sentiments explain why most polls show considerable support for moving to a system of personal retirement accounts.

 
Question: Looking ahead to the time when you 
or your spouse will be retired, tell me 
which of these you expect ... 
 
1979 
 
                Most important source 
                of income in retirement 
 
Social 
Security                37% 
 
Pension                 31 
 
Savings/ 
investment              20 
 
Part-time 
work                     7 
 
Note: Sample is non-retired people. 
Source: Hart Research for the 
National Commission on Social 
Security, November 1979. 
 
Question: How confident are you that Social Security will provide 
retirement benefits when you reach retirement age...? 
 
Completely     Very      Just somewhat 
confident    confident   confident        Not confident at all 
 
   8%           11           33                    46 
 
Note: Sample is non-retired people. 
Source: Hart Research/Public Opinion 
Strategies for ...