Social security is 100% essential. Back in the 1700s, people didn't typically live 15 to 20 years past the age when they could work. The alternative is to just kick them to the curb after they are retired.
I actually am in favor of cutting social security quite a bit too but none of the recent administations are putting this on the table. You MUST cut the bigger programs (e.g. military, social security and medicare) if you want to address our runaway budget issues. Not by going after EPA, USAID, and Planned Parenthood.