Social security plan could benefit Mexicans
By Rob Manning
LEE COUNTY, December 20, 2002 - Thousands of Mexican immigrants in Southwest Florida might be eligible for Social Security benefits earlier if a new plan takes effect. Currently, the immigrants must work ten years in the United States before receiving benefits. They also pay into Mexico’s retirement system - resulting in double taxation.
"Let's take the people on both sides of the border and help them, show them we can work together as one,” said Christina Leddin of the Amigos Center.
The new Social Security plan would allow Mexicans to count work in Mexico or the U.S. to count towards the ten years. Plus, the plan would allow them to choose either country’s retirement system - they wouldn’t have to pay into both.
"You definitely have Mexicans who come here and live here for many years, but then you have another percentage, that maybe come and work 'X' number of years of their life and then go back. This other percentage, that group of people that never could have tapped into what they earned here in terms of retirement benefits will now be able to,” said Leddin.
The agreement with Mexico might not get off the ground anytime soon because of concerns over its cost. The Social Security program in the United States is already strapped for cash, and even immigration advocates in Southwest Florida have questions about the proposal.
"Our Social Security system is not in good shape to begin with. I don't think we should do anything that would hurt the US because this is the greatest country in the world, and that's why we have millions of people knocking on the door every year wanting to come in,” said Cathy Whidden Perez of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The United States already has similar agreements with 20 other countries. Whether Mexico is added to the list depends on politics. The Bush administration says it is only exploring the agreement with Mexico.
There is no word yet on how much it would cost - only that it would be more expensive than similar agreements with other countries.