Hold on to Your Wallet

Grab Your Wallets and Pocketbooks and Hold Tight!  

Mitt Romney is aiming to get back on the national stage, and this time Little Lord Fauntleroy is threatening our Social Security and Medicare to accomplish his goal.

  

Earlier this month, the Republican Senator from Utah, convinced three other members of the Senate to join him as co-sponsors of his TRUST (Time to Rescue United States Trusts) Act. The bill is falsely aimed at reducing the federal deficit.  “Falsely” because even as the guru of trickle-down economics, Ronald Reagan once declared, “Social Security has nothing to do with the deficit.” The Gipper went on to say that the retirement savings trust is a pay-as-you-go program, which is supported by payroll contributions made by workers and their employers.  It has never added a penny to the national debt, but for some reason many right-wing politicians run with the false narrative that the answer to fixing the national debt is found in reducing Social Security.

But truth be damned, Romney charges on telling anyone who will listen to his baseless claim that, “If you ever want to see a balanced budget, if you ever want to get out of debt, you have to deal with these trust funds. The trusts that the Senator refers to are: Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, S.S. Disability Insurance, Medicare Hospital Insurance, and the Highway Trust Fund.

Most Steelworkers are aware of the Social Security trusts.  However, some may be unfamiliar with the Highway Trust. The fund is a federal program that is funded by fuel and other related excise taxes. It is actually two accounts. One account provides dollars to support mass-transit expansion and development; while the other supports improvements of surface transportation and infrastructure repairs.  

So, how would the Romney TRUST Act work?  If the bill is passed, the U.S. Treasury Department would have 30 days to prepare and deliver a report to Congress on the status of the trusts. Congressional leaders would then form a “rescue” committee for each trust fund.  Those committees would be made up of at least two members of each political party. They would meet to develop legislation to repair the funds’ solvency and identify other improvements.

Finally, any qualified legislative proposals arising from the committee process will get expedited consideration before the House and Senate.  Critics are concerned that the expedited process is akin to “FAST TRACK!”  They fear that proposals would get hammered out in closed-door sessions. Once they were approved by the rescue committee, they would be sent for a floor vote of yes or no.  There would be no hearings, no debate, and no amendment. If that process sounds familiar, it’s the same process used to pass every failed trade agreement the country has ever entered into, and we have all seen how well that worked out!

Romney’s TRUST Act is a ploy being perpetrated in the name of bi-partisanship. Its real goal is to cut benefits, raise the retirement age, and ultimately privatize the trusts working-class families have come to rely on.  These trusts have been disguised as fiscal responsibility. Don’t be fooled by gimmicky marketing, now is the time to expand Social Security and Medicare -- not to cut them!

Jay McMurran, District 2 SOAR Board Member

Social Security – What’s Open and Honest Behind Closed Doors?

Social Security – What’s Open and Honest Behind Closed Doors?

In a September 2019 town hall meeting in Emmet County, Iowa, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst complained, openly, that groups like SOAR are making her job more difficult than she would like.  

Regarding the future of Social Security, Senator Ernst said, “We do need to sit down behind closed doors, so we’re not being scrutinized by this group or the other, and just have an open and honest conversation...”  “The minute you say we need to address Social Security, the media is hammering you, the opposing party is hammering you — there goes granny over a cliff.” Senator Ernst continued, “We know that there is a point in time when we as Congress will have to address the situation, and I think it’s better done sooner rather than later, to make sure that we shored up that system.”

When you hear the words, “shore(d) up that system,” and “behind closed doors” – do you get the sense that Senator Ernst wants to expand the benefits of Social Security to more Americans? Do you think Senator Ernst wants to figure out a way for future generations of Americans to be able to retire with dignity?

Or, are you getting flashbacks to contract negotiations from your working years when management wanted to have closed-door talks so they could raid our pension or increase workers’ healthcare contributions? Do you get the sense, like me, that Senator Ernst believes Social Security is an entitlement and not something Americans have earned (even though we certainly have)?  

There is a reason Social Security is arguably the most popular legislative achievement in our history.  

For many Americans, particularly widowed women, Social Security is the last thing between living with some dignity and absolute poverty.  Social Security is a financial investment made by American workers held in trust to assure that retirees, the elderly, people with disabilities, or the children and families of deceased workers will not be abandoned by the richest nation on earth.  

If Senator Ernst gets her way, Americans will be having tough conversations with their spouses around empty kitchen tables for years to come. Not because Americans will be living longer lives, but let’s be  open and honest here, they won’t be living the lives they anticipated if Social Security is destroyed.

Julie Stein, SOAR Director

Know the Facts...Don't be Fooled About Social Security Cuts

Don’t Be Fooled...

This being the last opportunity before the November election that I can write to you, I thought it might be valuable to give you something to ponder. Retirees should not be deceived by a recent budget proposal that proponents falsely claim will be to our benefit. After years of fighting against the efforts of politicians who want to undermine Social Security, we’ve learned not to be fooled by coded language such as, “cutting waste” or “getting the Government out of your life.” We know such political speak is merely a ruse with the goal of privatizing or eliminating Social Security and Medicare!

All that glitters isn’t gold, and as more people enter retirement age, the Republican budget proposes to reduce funding for administrating area Social Security offices. When Social Security offices close, retirees will have more trouble accessing Social Security and other vital services. As a result, we will not be served as well and will start to believe their baloney that seniors
could be better served by the private sector. However, that simply is not true because Social Security administrative costs are one percent or less of budget costs. Try to name another company that offers what Social Security does at that minimal overhead.

To implement these budget cuts, five Social Security administrative offices in Pennsylvania would be closed along with 15 more offices in other states. Where will these retirees go when they need information on their Benefits, especially in Pennsylvania? Presumably, Republicans hope that retirees will rely on the internet for benefits information. But due to lack of knowledge and monthly income, it is hard for most seniors to navigate online, or to afford internet service.

SOAR members need to know the facts on this issue! This can only happen if we choose to remain silent or not get involved. We cannot sit back as an organization, and we will not allow our retirement security to be threatened without a fight.

Please keep up on the issues and inform our members; after that, the decision is theirs, but at the least, we can feel good about what we have done. Remember to vote on Election Day and get involved.

Bill Pienta, SOAR President

Words Are Misleading

Words Are Misleading

There’s been a lot of talk lately by the media and others about capitalism and socialism; but, we shouldn’t be distracted from what the issues in the upcoming elections should really be about and where the candidates stand on those issues that affect retirees.

Although Social Security may be a social insurance program, it works, and we all should be concerned about our earned benefits. Not only with Social Security; but, also with Medicare, the minimum wage, worker’s rights, pension benefits, healthcare and a host of other issues. We have to try to abstain from referring to others as capitalists or socialists.

We need to pay attention to the fact that the current administration is proposing cuts of $285 billion from Medicare, $1.5 trillion from Medicaid and $25 billion from Social Security. That’s what’s really important. Let’s keep our eyes on those things.

Bill Gibbons, PACE Representative

A Brighter Future for Retirees in 2019

Retirees Can Look Forward to a Brighter 2019

by Robert Roach, Jr.

In a sure sign that things may be looking up for retirees, new leadership is about to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

In rejecting Senator Mitch McConnell’s mid-October pledge to cut Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security to pay for the deficit created by last year’s tax cuts for the wealthy, voters sent a clear signal that voters are against cuts to these critical programs.

Democrats also captured governorships in seven formerly Republican-held states and more than 300 Republican-held legislative seats across the country. This will be important when congressional districts are redrawn following the 2020 census. In addition, Idaho, Utah and Nebraska voted to expand Medicaid, increasing access to affordable health care for over 320,000 Americans.

This past year we survived attempts to decimate the Affordable Care Act and take away protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions. We also withstood the stated intention of several elected leaders and their top lieutenants to go after our hard-earned Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Now we must go on the offensive. We must press Congress to bring drug prices down and make health care more accessible and affordable. As our leaders strive to expand Social Security, we must strengthen and protect our existing benefits so that the burden of saving for retirement isn’t so cumbersome.

If we continue to speak truth to power we can carve a better path for current and future retirees.

Robert Roach, Jr. is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  He was previously General Secretary‐Treasurer of the IAMAW.  For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.org.

Let Me Warn You

Retirees to Receive a Much Needed COLA

Social Security beneficiaries will receive a much-needed, 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2019 – providing a $39 bump to the average monthly retirement benefit. The 2019 COLA is higher than 2018’s (2.0%), which was partially offset by an increase in Medicare Part B premiums for many beneficiaries. With Medicare Part B premiums anticipated to rise minimally for most beneficiaries next year, most Social Security recipients will be able to keep the lion’s share of the cost-of-living increase.

“This COLA is good news for seniors living on fixed incomes. Every extra dollar helps. But the current COLA formula (the CPI-W) is inadequate because it does not account for seniors’ rising expenses – especially housing and health care. COLAs could be improved by adopting the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), which is based on retirees’ actual spending habits rather than those of the general population,” – Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

There is legislation in Congress, including Rep. John Larson’s Social Security 2100 Act and Rep. John Garamendi’s CPI-E Act of 2017, which would require the use of the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly to determine COLAs for a broad array of federal retirement programs, including Social Security. November’s elections may breathe new life into these bills after languishing under the current Congressional leadership.

Source: NCPSSM

SS Future Depends on November Elections

On Social Security’s 83rd Anniversary

Program’s Future Depends on November Elections

After eight decades of paying benefits to multiple generations of retired workers – and keeping them out of poverty – one would think Social Security’s legacy would be apparent and its promise secure. Yet, here we are in 2018, with Social Security under threat from conservatives who clearly don’t believe in that promise. Using the misleading label “entitlement reform,” they want to cut benefits, raise the retirement age, and privatize the program. They attempt to break the compact by dividing the generations with the specious argument that any “reforms” wouldn’t affect current retirees, only future ones – who, in reality, won’t need Social Security any less. Don’t worry, we’re only cutting your children and grandchildren’s benefits – not yours!

Source: NCPSSM Blog

Expanding Social Security

The “Expand Social Security” Caucus: Sign of Growing Momentum in Congress 

Too many older Americans struggle to make ends meet. We’ve told politicians in Washington for years that an average monthly Social Security benefit of $1,413 is not enough to ensure a dignified retirement. In fact, it puts the average retiree just above the poverty level. 

This fact hasn’t stopped politicians from looking to cut or privatize Social Security time and again. And throughout 2018 we’ve heard near-constant threats, from top GOP officials both inside and outside the administration, to slash so-called “entitlement” spending in order to rein in federal deficits caused by the tax scam Congress passed in 2017. 

Retirees know how important Social Security is to our quality of life, and that it needs to be protected for us and for future generations. We have earned these benefits, and we will not let anyone take them without a fight.

The newly formed Congressional Expand Social Security Caucus is comprised of more than 150 Democrats from the House and Senate who are committed to protecting, strengthening, and expanding Social Security. 

In the Senate, the Expand Caucus is chaired by Senators Bernie Sanders (VT) and Elizabeth Warren (MA). In the House, co-chairs include Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI), Raúl Grijalva (AZ), Conor Lamb (PA), John Larson (CT), and Terri Sewell (AL).

Expanding Social Security will help all retirees, present and future, to have the secure retirement they worked a lifetime to achieve. We must support elected officials, like the members of this caucus, who understand that Social Security must be expanded to keep pace with retirees’ actual expenses. 

Robert Roach, Jr. is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  He was previously General Secretary‐Treasurer of the IAMAW.  For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.org.

S.S. Future Depends on November Election

On Social Security’s 83rd Anniversary

Program’s Future Depends on November Elections

After eight decades of paying benefits to multiple generations of retired workers – and keeping them out of poverty – one would think Social Security’s legacy would be apparent and its promise secure. Yet, here we are in 2018, with Social Security under threat from conservatives who clearly don’t believe in that promise. Using the misleading label “entitlement reform,” they want to cut benefits, raise the retirement age, and privatize the program. They attempt to break the compact by dividing the generations with the specious argument that any “reforms” wouldn’t affect current retirees, only future ones – who, in reality, won’t need Social Security any less. Don’t worry, we’re only cutting your children and grandchildren’s benefits – not yours!

Source: NCPSSM Blog

Let’s Not Have Any More Paul Ryans Keeping Us from a Secure Retirement

House Speaker Paul Ryan has announced that he will retire at the end of his term. His decision to remain in the position until January 2019, means that he will be eligible for his annual Federal Employees Retirement System pension of $84,930 in two years, once he reaches age 50. 

At that time, he will join the 23 percent of all American workers who have a defined-benefit pension plan. 

Ryan’s pension ensures that he will be financially secure in retirement. But, he cares little about the millions of Americans who are not as fortunate. 

The vast majority of retirees rely heavily on their Social Security benefits, averaging $15,983 annually in 2015, to stay out of poverty. And, of course, Paul Ryan consistently fought for “entitlement reform,” which would mean an even less secure retirement for millions of Americans by deeply cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Instead of helping working families achieve retirement security, he sought to privatize and slash the earned benefit programs we rely on. 

We must not let this Congress or the next Congress further attempts to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. In fact, we should be expanding these programs. We can advance our agenda by supporting candidates who truly understand the challenges facing working people and who will fight to help us.

If we all stand together this November, we can send a strong message to politicians who protect their own retirement security, but threaten ours. 

Robert Roacch, Jr.

Robert Roach, Jr. is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  He was previously General Secretary‐Treasurer of the IAMAW.  For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.org.

Social Security Update

Trump To Cut Social Security

Trump’s Promise Not to Cut Social Security has been Broken

by Robert Roach, Jr.

President Trump’s fiscal 2018 budget is a non-starter. He has betrayed America’s seniors. In fact, $2 trillion in deficit reduction turns out to be just a math error.

The budget cuts $72 billion over ten years from disability programs, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Trump promised repeatedly to protect – not cut – Social Security. Yet his first budget does just that, harming millions of disabled Americans. 

The Trump budget also slashes $1.4 trillion from Medicaid over 10 years. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), total Medicaid spending was $368 billion in 2016. Almost two-thirds of that was for seniors and people with disabilities, who rely on Medicaid for health care and long-term care. This cut is drastic and dangerous by any measurement.

This budget also decimates the Community Development Block Grant, which provides funding through states and communities for Meals on Wheels.

Trump’s proposal would cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by more than 25%, taking away benefits from those who need basic nutrition.

This budget provides massive tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and corporations on the backs of retirees, children, people with disabilities and current and future federal workers, whose earned pension benefits are cut. The Trump budget is a reckless mixture of twisted values and brazen dishonesty.

With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, this is not the policy we need. Alliance for Retired Americans members are mobilized to ensure it never advances.

Robert Roach, Jr. is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  He was previously General Secretary‐Treasurer of the IAMAW.  For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.org.

Will Jackie Walorski keep her promise?

"In congress, I'll oppose any cuts to Social Security or Medicare".

The plain old fashioned lie

When you hear a congressperson say that he/she will never vote to cut Social Security benefits for our "seniors," what that really means is that this particular politician would indeed be willing to cut Social Security benefits for those who will some day be "seniors."

In other words, it's just a plain old fashioned lie. Don't be fooled.

Hillary Clinton on Expanding Social Security

Earned Social Security Benefits

President Obama Proposes Expanding Earned Social Security Benefits 

Congress Should Act to Help Seniors 

Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, released the following statement regarding President Obama’s proposal today to expand Social Security:

“The Alliance for Retired Americans welcomes President Obama's statement in favor of expanding earned Social Security benefits.

“At a high school in Elkhart, Indiana today the President said ‘...it's time we finally made Social Security more generous and increased its benefits so today's retirees and future generations get the dignified retirement that they have earned.’

“The Alliance advocated the expansion of Social Security benefits for years and we are pleased that the President agrees with us. Forty percent of Americans over the age of 50 say that Social Security will be their primary source of retirement income, and the current level of benefits is not keeping pace. It’s time for Congress to pass one of the many bills that has already been introduced to make a more secure retirement for current and future retirees.”

Alliance for Retired Americans

Social Security Is Not Going Broke

Vote Today, for those who are on YOUR side

Another Myth Spread By The Right

If you listen to the noise out of Washington, the right is once again attacking Social Security! The latest target of the conservatives in Congress are disabled Americans receiving Social Security benefits. I am sure you’ve already heard the messaging: Social Security disability fraud is rampant because it’s so easy to receive benefits and people would rather collect a hefty check from the government than work. It’s the 2014 incarnation of “our nation is full of ‘welfare queens’ and ‘greedy geezers.’” It also suffers from the same basic problem...it’s simply not true. 

The timing of this attack on Social Security’s disability program is not an accident. It’s the cornerstone of Congressional Republicans’ campaign to oppose both President Obama’s nomination of a new Social Security Administration Commissioner and the routine reallocation of the Trust Fund to prevent a 20% disability cut in 2016. Rather than address the disability shortfall head-on, as Congress has done many time before, conservatives hope to hold the disability program hostage in return for cuts throughout the entire Social Security program.

Brothers and Sisters, we are smarter than this. We cannot fall for the old divide and conquer politics that the GOP loves to promote. “Welfare queens and “greedy geezers” are simply villains created by disingenuous politicians to grossly misrepresent the truth. It infuriates the masses and builds support to fix a problem that doesn’t exists. This takes the focus off of the real villains. Those who seek to destroy Social Security. 

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) stated, “There is a quiet, covert war being waged on Social Security. The tactic? Divide and conquer. Today, detractors try to use Social Security Disability Insurance as a back door to cut the program as a whole. And, we will organize and fight back against today’s attacks aimed at some of the most vulnerable Americans: the disabled.” 

Jim Centner, SOAR Director