Article Photos: WHY IT MATTERS: Social Security



  FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2011, file photo Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney talks to participants at a town hall meeting in Miami. Romney discussed his plans to improve the economy, create jobs and protect Social Security. For Social Security Romney proposes a gradual increase in the retirement age to account for growing life expectancy. For future generations, Romney would slow the growth of benefits "for those with higher incomes." (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2011, file photo Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney talks to participants at a town hall meeting in Miami. Romney discussed his plans to improve the economy, create jobs and protect Social Security. For Social Security Romney proposes a gradual increase in the retirement age to account for growing life expectancy. For future generations, Romney would slow the growth of benefits "for those with higher incomes." (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, File)