Latinas' life expectancies are relatively long. When a current retiree hits 65 and begins receiving her benefit check, she can expect to live another 22 years. That life expectancy is higher than white women or men.

We must explain the truth: There is no free lunch.

Almost half of all Latinas currently on Social Security rely exclusively on their benefit check in retirement.

President Bush has consistently used rhetoric, and that is not convincing given his past record.

I am not criticizing investing in the stock market; I am an investor.

Because Social Security is specifically designed to boost the retirement income of low earners with a progressive benefit formula, the program has played an enormous and necessary role in keeping Latinas out of poverty.

If Congress doesn't raise taxes, you cannot get a private investment account without forgoing a portion, possibly all, of your guaranteed benefit check.