In addition to the economy, Social Security may be a major campaign issue in this fall's midterm elections.
    
Hoping to use their commitment to the program to their advantage, President Obama and fellow Democrats have accused Republicans of trying to destroy it.

In his weekly radio and Internet address on Saturday, Obama accused GOP leaders of "pushing to make privatizing Social Security a key part of their legislative agenda if they win a majority in Congress this fall."

Obama said privatization was "an ill-conceived idea that would add trillions of dollars to our budget deficit while tying your benefits to the whims of Wall Street traders and the ups and downs of the stock market."

Contrary to the president's charges, most Republicans are leery of privatization since Social Security is a program sacred to most voters.

Several GOP leaders say Democrats are trying to scare voters about Social Security in an attempt to divert attention away from the weak economy.
    
In addition, analysts point out that Social Security will have to be reformed to get back onto solid financial footing.