Protect Our Pensions

Alliance for Retired Americans Hosts 2019 Pension Seminar 

by Robert Roach, Jr.

More than two dozen speakers from unions and government agencies, as well as bankruptcy attorneys, young workers and others, shared strategies recently to address the growing pension crisis and the effects of corporate bankruptcy on millions of Americans. During the two-day event, attendees also discussed other pillars of retirement security, including Social Security and Medicare.

Multiemployer pension plans, which are collectively bargained pension plans maintained by a labor union and more than one employer, were a focus of the event. More than one million Americans who depend on multiemployer pension plans for their retirement income are at risk of losing their pension due to corporate bankruptcies that have threatened the solvency of these plans. Without Congressional action, more than 100 multiemployer pension plans in critical and declining status are likely to fail within the next 20 years, jeopardizing the retirement income of the workers and retirees. 

Highlights of the seminar included: Rep. John Larson of Connecticut spoke about steps that should be taken to protect the retirement benefits that workers have earned after a lifetime of hard work, including his legislation to expand Social Security benefits.

Also, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka spoke about the need to protect pension benefits when companies declare bankruptcy, stressing that bankruptcy laws are not designed to protect retirees who worked hard their entire lives - instead, they protect the millionaires and CEOs.

Elizabeth Shuler, Executive Vice President of the Alliance and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, called for passage of two pieces of legislation pending in Congress to provide immediate relief to millions of workers at risk of losing their earned pension and health benefits: the American Miners Act of 2019 and the Butch Lewis Act. We are grateful to all who participated.

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.

Pass the Butch Lewis Act Now

Take Action to Protect Our Pensions

Take Action to Protect Our Pensions 

Because of a perfect storm of the Great Recession, changing industries, failed trade policies that have caused significant manufacturing job loss, and other factors outside of our control, the security of some multiemployer pension plans are at risk of going insolvent unless Congress takes action.

We know that a pension provides security to retirees after decades of hard work. A pension oftentimes makes it possible for us to care for an ill or aging spouse, or a disabled child or grandchild.

Congress has an opportunity to take swift action to protect more than one million Americans who are at risk of losing their pensions. Our union supports H.R. 397, the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act. This legislation would extend long-term loans to financially troubled pension plans, granting security to pensioners.

We need to push our lawmakers to take action. Please write your Representative, and urge them to support H.R. 397. You can submit your letter using a tool we have made available on our union’s Rapid Response website, which can be found at www.uswrr.org or go to http://usw.to/Pensions

Julie Stein, SOAR Director

SOAR More Important Than Ever

SOAR More Important Than Ever

Recently USW members in Massachusetts ended a six-month lockout at National Grid with pensions being one of the major issues. The company did not want to continue providing a defined-benefit pension plan for new hires. This scenario is becoming a more common issue affecting current and future retirees, as more often than not, despite skyrocketing profits, companies no longer want to provide benefits to their retirees – even after all their years of hard work and dedicated service.

I did some research on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website to gather some information to better understand where this country stands on pensions. I was surprised to find out that according to the BLS in 2017 only 15 percent of private-sector workers participated in a defined-benefit pension plan and only 50 percent participated in ANY workplace retirement plan. Those numbers go up to 23 percent and 54 percent when you include state and local government workers. These numbers also show a continuing pattern of employers freezing or terminating defined-benefit pension plans for workers.

I raise this issue to bring the importance of preserving and improving what is for many, the primary source of income in retirement, Social Security. We in SOAR have been fighting for improvement in the way Social Security is funded by removing the cap on earnings and making sure any attempt to reduce benefits is met with strong resistance. 

Many of us in SOAR have less to worry about than the present generation of workers; unfortunately, the possibility of a comfortable retirement is no sure thing for them. That is why it is more important than ever before that the present workforce, if they haven’t already done so, consider the formation of a SOAR chapter in their area. The continued attack on retirement security must be confronted by those presently in SOAR and those who look forward to retirement in their future. 

SOAR Coordinators and Executive Board members must make themselves available to local unions in their area and let them know how important and valuable a SOAR chapter can be to them. 

This year let’s all make an effort to grow and improve SOAR in your respective areas and Districts.

Source: https://www.bls.gov

Bill Pienta, SOAR President

Keeping Our Guard Up

Keeping Our Guard Up 

While I believe that the stock market should not be the measure of how well we are doing in America, retirees who receive a pension should be concerned on the recent drop in the stock market. Downward movement in the market impacts the stability of the company pension fund and may require additional contributions to the fund which in turn impacts the financial stability of the company. The increase in the unfunded liability of pension funds in both private and public sectors is becoming an issue and one we should pay attention to.

On top of all the other issues, we need to pay attention to the fact that more and more states are claiming a hardship in their ability to maintain stability in their state-run pension funds. If the states ever begin to get relief from their obligation to properly maintain their pension funds, you can be sure that the private-sector employers will soon begin lobbying for relief from their pension obligations as well.

We need to make sure people understand that pensions are the workers way of saving for retirement. We have negotiated with employers that a piece of our wages is taken at a later time, when we retire, instead of being given to us now. This was a benefit to the employer who receives tax advantages by putting the money into a pension fund and to us by receiving a portion of our pay later in life. It is not simply their money they provide for a benefit, it is ours.

To all in the family of SOAR, I hope you enjoy a safe and happy holiday season and get ready of what may be a very active year for SOAR.

Bill Pienta, SOAR President

The Plight of Multiemployer Pension Plans

Los Planes de Pensiones de Aplazamiento de Empleadores Múltiples

Me refiero a una parte de un artículo, “La crisis de pensiones de empleados múltiples”, de Aliya Wong, Directora Ejecutiva de la Política de Retiro de la Cámara de Comercio de EE. UU., Recientemente publicada en The Hill, sobre la difícil situación de los planes de pensión de múltiples empleadores para ayudar a llevar este problema a ligero.

Los planes de pensiones de beneficios negado han sido favorecidos durante mucho tiempo para la jubilación porque prometen un nivel garantizado de ingresos.  Es una forma indolora para que los jubilados disfruten sus años dorados.  Es decir, a menos que el plan fracase.

Desafortunadamente, esa es la condición en la que se encuentran varios planes de pensiones, especialmente los llamados planes de beneficios definidos de “multi - empleadores”.  No es exagerado decir que estos planes enfrentan una crisis.  Actualmente hay un déficit de más de $124 mil millones en estos planes.  Aproximadamente 1.141 de estos planes, que cubren 1.3 millones de trabajadores, enfrentan una escasez de $36 mil millones y es probable que comiencen a declararse en quiebra en tan solo cinco años. 

Uno podrá pensar que los empleadores en estos planes simplemente podrían pagar mas para apuntalarlos, pero las cantidades son tan grandes que podrían

Hacer que muchos empleadores se declaren en quiebra, sin mencionar que el gobierno respalda estos planes – Se prevé que la Corporación de Garantiza de Beneficios de Pensiones (PBGC, por sus siglas en inglés) regirá en el año 2025.

Para abordar este problema, el congreso decidió establecer un comité bipartidista encargado de elaborar la legislación antes de fin de año.  La Cámara de Comercio de EE. UU. Y el Comité Nacional de Coordinación Planes de Empleadores Múltiples (NCCMP) han emitido un conjunto de principios conjuntos para ayudar al comité en su trabajo.

Faltan de este grupo los Sindicatos, cuyos miembros son los destinatarios principales de estos beneficios.

Sin una reforma sustancial y oportuna del plan de multiempresa ríales, las empresas se irán a la quiebra, los trabajadores se quedarán sin beneficios, y los contribuyentes pueden enfrentar una factura considerable.

Para leer el articulo de la Sra. Wong, en su totalidad vaya a:http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/labor/391953-the-multiemployer-pension-crises

Bill Pienta, Presidente de SOAR

The Plight of Multiemployer Pension Plans

The Plight of Multiemployer Pension Plans

I refer to a portion of an article, “The Multiemployer Pension Crisis” by Aliya Wong, Executive Director of Retirement Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, recently published in The Hill, regarding the plight of multiemployer pension plans to help bring this issue to light:

Defined benefit pension plans have long been favored for retirement because they promise a guaranteed level of income. It’s a painless way for retirees to enjoy their golden years. That is, unless the plan goes bust.

Unfortunately, that’s the condition a number of pension plans are close to being in, particularly so-called “multiemployer” defined benefit plans. It is no exaggeration to say that these plans face a crisis. There is currently a shortfall of more than $124 billion in these plans. Roughly 1,141 of these plans, covering 1.3 million workers, face more than $36 billion in shortfalls and are likely to start going bankrupt in as little as five years.

One might think that employers in these plans could simply pay more to shore them up, but the amounts are so large that they could cause many employers to go into bankruptcy; not to mention, the government backstop for these plans – the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) – is itself predicted to go bust by 2025.

To address this issue, Congress has decided to establish a bipartisan committee tasked with drawing up legislation by the end of the year. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Coordination Committee for Multiemployer Plans (NCCMP) have issued a set of joint principles to aid the committee in its work.

Missing from this group are Labor Unions, whose members are the primary recipients of these benefits. 

Without substantive and timely multiemployer plan reform, businesses will go broke, workers will be left without benefits, and taxpayers may face a hefty bill. 

To read Ms. Wong’s article, in its entirety go to: http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/labor/391953-the-multiemployer-pension-crisis

Bill Pienta, SOAR President

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 6-6-14

Headlines:
GOP Calls for Repeal of Affordable Care Act are Fading Fast
The Alliance Submits Statement on “Observation Status” to Congress
Sen. Bernie Sanders Introduces Proposal to Overhaul VA
2,000 Detroit Pensioners Will Revote After Receiving Inaccurate Bankruptcy Ballots
Reps. Cole, Delaney Propose Bipartisan Commission to Improve Social Security
Report Ranks Minnesota Healthiest State for Retirees

GOP Calls for Repeal of Affordable Care Act are Fading Fast
In a sign that the harshest opposition to the Affordable Care Act may be softening, GOP candidates across the country are dropping calls to repeal the health care reform law and are instead spending this year’s election season talking about trying to “fix” it. Republican leaders in Washington who are still calling for repeal have yet to release their own comprehensive health reform proposal, and several Republican candidates have drawn criticism for failing to specify which portions of the Affordable Care Act they would seek to modify.

“With the Affordable Care Act, seniors are seeing expanded access to free preventive screenings, an end to insurance companies denying care due to pre-existing conditions, and the closing of the Part D prescription drug doughnut hole. The fact that voters won’t accept critics of the law continuing to call for its repeal is an indication that the Affordable Care Act is working,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary Treasurer for the Alliance. For more, go to http://wapo.st/1kuIHSI.

The Alliance Submits Statement on “Observation Status” to Congress
On Tuesday, the Alliance submitted a statement for the record of a House Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health hearing entitled “Current Hospital Issues in the Medicare Program.” The statement focuses on the widespread placement of seniors under an observation status designation during multi-day hospital stays. Increasingly, hospitals have been placing patients under observation status rather than admitting them as inpatients. This distinction is important, because an observation status label means seniors are considered outpatients during stays in the hospital. As a result, many seniors are spending multiple days in the hospital only to discover they are responsible for both higher copays and bills for routine medications unrelated to their stay.

The most dramatic consequences are often for seniors moving from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities. Since admission to these facilities requires a three day inpatient stay to be covered under Medicare, many seniors under observation status are released from the hospital only to discover that they have no coverage for post-acute care. These seniors often find themselves taking on thousands of dollars in unexpected bills or going without necessary skilled nursing facility care altogether.

One solution is for Congress to pass the bipartisan bill “Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2013,” S.569 and H.R. 1179, introduced by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Reps. Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Tom Latham (R-IA).

“Passage of the bipartisan Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act would count the time patients spend in the hospital under observation status towards the three-day stay requirement and provide seniors with the full Medicare benefits they have earned,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director for the Alliance. Read the full Alliance statement at http://bit.ly/1kLEZjd. 

Sen. Bernie Sanders Introduces Proposal to Overhaul VA
In the wake of the recent scandal involving mismanaged care in VA hospitals, Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and John McCain (R-AZ) have struck a deal on bipartisan legislation to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Sanders has introduced a bill, the Restoring Veterans’ Trust Act, that would make a number of sweeping changes to the VA health program, such as implementing expedited hiring and firing authority for employees, opening 26 new facilities throughout the country, and making it easier for veterans to seek care outside the system when VA facilities unavailable. More at http://tinyurl.com/lfnsj9v.

2,000 Detroit Pensioners Will Revote After Receiving Inaccurate Bankruptcy Ballots
When ballots detailing Detroit’s proposal to restructure $18 billion in debt were sent out to 67,000 retirees, beneficiaries, and creditors last month, an estimated 2,000 Detroit retirees and workers received ballots with inaccurate information. As a result, these current and former workers will now have to revote on the proposal. The error involved data about Detroit’s plan to collect $239 million that the General Retirement System paid into worker annuity accounts over a 10-year period. While most of the ballots were unaffected, it is expected that the error could further complicate what is already widely viewed as a confusing process for the workers and retirees covered by the city’s general pension fund. Members of the bankrupt city’s General Retirement System have to approve the debt reduction plan for the proposal to move forward. New ballots will be sent out to the 2000 affected current and former workers. For more details on the revote, go to http://bit.ly/1x8Aaug.

Reps. Cole, Delaney Propose Bipartisan Commission to Improve Social Security
Last week, Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK) and John Delaney (D-MD) introduced a bill that would create a new bipartisan commission to examine ways to improve Social Security. The bill calls for a 13-member commission that would be given one year to propose a list of recommendations for improving the program and increasing the solvency of the Social Security system. Currently, Social Security has sufficient funds to pay full benefits through 2033 and funds to pay about 75% of scheduled benefits through 2087.

“We must be vigilant whenever anyone talks about ‘fixing’ Social Security – and that is how The Washington Post refers to the goals of this commission,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. “At a time when more and more Americans are struggling to save for retirement, any proposal to improve Social Security should focus on expanding the program to better meet the needs of current and future retirees.” More at http://wapo.st/1hyOYOx.

Report Ranks Minnesota Healthiest State for Retirees
A United Health Foundation report looking at 34 different statistical measures ranked all 50 states based on the overall health and well-being of older Americans. The survey looked at various factors including obesity rates, access to care, and availability of quality nursing home beds.  In the final tally, Minnesota topped the list while Mississippi came in last. Though Minnesota had average rates of obesity among older adults, it benefitted from high proportions of able-bodied seniors, high rates of routine dental care, and high rates of activity during the brief Minnesota summers. For more on the study, go to http://on.mktw.net/1mP3QWk.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://bit.ly/1nnNoy0.

For the Alliance's Spanish language page, which includes last week's Friday Alert in Spanish, go to www.alianzadejubilados.org

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 4-25-14

Headlines:
Another Survey Suggests U.S. Middle Class is Falling Behind
California City Tries to Skip Legally Required Pension System Payments
Social Security to Bring Back Paper Benefits Statements
America’s Fastest-Growing Retirement Places
Fiesta Addresses Connecticut Alliance
Ryan Budget or another Topic on Your Mind? Write a Letter to the Editor, Win a Pen!
Only Three More Days until the National Membership Convention in Las Vegas

Another Survey Suggests U.S. Middle Class is Falling Behind
While income gains for the richest Americans are outpacing their global peers, The New York Times reports that lower- and middle- income tiers in other advanced nations have made greater gains over the last three decades. “The new data about the middle class underscores the growing importance of expanding Social Security,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director for the Alliance. “Many seniors are just barely able to remain above the poverty line.” Read more about shifting incomes in the U.S. at http://nyti.ms/1k7bhrS.

Earlier this week, the American Federation of Teachers hosted a discussion with former Rolling Stone political reporter Matt Taibbi in Washington. The discussion drew attention to the struggles of the middle class as Wall Street continues to make gains. Taibbi has written extensively on the role of Wall Street firms in recent financial crises and has examined Wall Street’s attempts to loot millions from public pension funds across the country. “Essentially it is a wealth transfer from teachers, cops, and firemen to billionaire hedge funders,” says Taibbi. “Pension funds are one of the last great, unguarded piles of money in this country and there are going to be all sort of operators that are trying to get their hands on that money.”

California City Tries to Skip Legally Required Pension System Payments
In an effort to cut expenditures during bankruptcy negotiations, the city of San Bernardino, California is asking to pay only a fraction of $17 million in back payments and penalties it failed to make to Calpers, the agency that administers the California state pension system. If successful, the move could have ripple effects across the country, as cash strapped cities use bankruptcy proceedings to delay or withhold required pension fund payments. State law in California mandates that cities contribute full payments to the pension system on time and that workers’ benefits cannot be reduced. The city is claiming, however, that federal bankruptcy law trumps state law and allows the city to treat payments to Calpers as they would obligations to other creditors. If mediation between the city and Calpers is unsuccessful, the issue may ultimately be decided in court. “San Bernardino is trying to set a dangerous precedent,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer for the Alliance. “Allowing cities to skip legally mandated pension payments undermines the hard-earned retirement security of workers across the country.” Read more at http://nyti.ms/1hd8uNV.

Social Security to Bring Back Paper Benefits Statements
The Social Security Administration has announced that it will partially resume mailings of Social Security benefits statements. The agency had previously switched to an online system and ended most benefit statement mailings in 2011, in response to budget constraints.  Under the new rules, workers who have not signed up to receive online statements will begin receiving mailed statements every five years. It is argued that paper statements are helpful for letting workers know how benefits are calculated and how much they can expect in future payments. Since low-income and immigrant workers are less likely to have internet access than the general population, it has been argued that the switch to digital statements has left a disproportionate number of those most reliant on Social Security with little information about the program.

“This is an important change that will let more people track what they have paid into the program and understand the benefits they have earned,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. More about the change here: http://reut.rs/1kXJBqH.

America’s Fastest-Growing Retirement Places
A survey of recent census data shows that Phoenix, Arizona and Portland, Oregon have the fastest growing retirement age populations of any major metropolitan areas in the country, with many other warm metro areas, such as Las Vegas, Nevada; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Jacksonville, Florida also in the top 10. The website www.Nerdwallet.com analyzed the data. While in the past seniors have tended to move to smaller cities and rural areas with a lower cost of living, it appears that metropolitan areas with relatively warm winters are becoming a more attractive option. For more detailed results, go to http://tinyurl.com/mdt65rs.

“It looks like seniors are headed to cities where they don’t have to shovel their driveways every morning in the winter,” said Ms. Easterling.

Fiesta Addresses Connecticut Alliance
Mr. Fiesta was in Southington, Connecticut on Monday to speak at the Connecticut Alliance Annual Fundraiser Luncheon. One hundred and forty people attended the event, marking the tremendous growth of the organization. On Wednesday, the group held its senior day at the state capitol.

Ryan Budget or another Topic on Your Mind? Write a Letter to the Editor, Win a Pen!
If you want others to know about the Ryan budget, pensions, or another topic, take a moment and start writing. If your submission is published, the Alliance will send you a free, union-made “Retirees with the Write Stuff” pen. Most recently, Barry Andrews, Wayne Burton, Frank Copple, Bob Dougherty, Mike Doyle, Raymond Ensher, Merry Foxworth, Morris Fried, Jim Hagerty, Win Heimer, Jenny Kenny, Jeanne Larson, Elayne Lastofka, Bette Marafino, Dave Meinell, Al Mumm, Mike Pyne, Robert Reinhold, Suzanne Reinhold, Martin Walsh, Norm Wernet, and Rufus Wesley contributed to the national dialogue. Please e-mail aracommunications@retiredamericans.org if you have had a letter published. “Letters to the editor are a fantastic way to get our message out,” said Mr. Burks.

Only Three More Days until the National Membership Convention in Las Vegas
Walk-ins are welcome at the Alliance for Retired Americans 2014 National Membership Convention at Bally’s Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 28 through May 1. Workshops are slated to include Building Coalitions; Voter Rights and Voter Protection; The Trans Pacific Partnership Exposed, and more! For more information - including airport shuttle deals for those attending and a list of union cabs in Las Vegas, go to http://bit.ly/1hYpj0g.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://bit.ly/1ntKGcb.

For the Alliance's Spanish language page, which includes last week's Friday Alert in Spanish, go to www.alianzadejubilados.org

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 4-18-14

Headlines:
On Tax Day, Alliance Calls for End to Corporate Tax Loopholes
Social Security to Stop Collecting Relatives’ Old Debts by Intercepting Tax Refunds
City of Detroit Reaches Preliminary Bankruptcy Deal Involving Pensions
Corporate-Backed Debt Reduction Group Facing Money Troubles
Commemorations Mark Centennial of Ludlow Massacre
Fiesta Addresses Machinists
Just Over a Week until Start of National Membership Conference in Las Vegas

On Tax Day, Alliance Calls for End to Corporate Tax Loopholes
In honor of this week’s Tax Day, the Alliance asks members to contact Congress and demand the end of two huge tax loopholes that benefit giant corporations. Congress is expected to return from its break and take up a bill that would renew $80 billion in tax breaks for corporations that move profits and jobs offshore. If you have not already done so, please sign the petition to Congress here: http://bit.ly/1gyoMgp. While corporations were dodging taxes, their CEO’s were taking in outrageous salaries. Find out how much CEO’s are making compared to workers at the AFL-CIO’s Executive Paywatch site: http://bit.ly/1jL2ZG7.

“If we can get Congress to end these loopholes, we'll be taking a tremendous step, and showing elected officials that we're watching to see if they're supporting the biggest corporations – or the people they represent,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance.

Social Security to Stop Collecting Relatives’ Old Debts by Intercepting Tax Refunds
In the wake of revelations about its efforts to collect on old debts, Acting Social Security Administration Commissioner Carolyn Colvin announced that the agency will stop attempts to collect taxpayer debts dating back more than 10 years. The Washington Post revealed that thousands of taxpayers expecting refund checks had received letters informing them that the Treasury Department had intercepted their refunds in order to cover debts that many of them never knew existed. The debts, often incurred by parents, were the result of Social Security benefit over-payments, sometimes dating back decades.  This debt collection effort was the result of a provision placed into the farm bill three years ago.

The decision to suspend collection came after hundreds of taxpayers, whose refund checks had been intercepted, contacted members of Congress complaining that they been given no notification of the debt and no explanation as to why they were responsible for the debts of their deceased parents. For more details on the announcement go here: http://wapo.st/1mdGYk6.

“It doesn’t make sense for the Social Security Administration to confiscate taxpayers’ refunds to cover old debts created by their relatives,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. 

City of Detroit Reaches Preliminary Bankruptcy Deal Involving Pensions
On Tuesday, Detroit’s emergency manager Kevyn Orr announced that deals had been reached on pension cuts for 23,000 workers and retirees. The city of Detroit is currently attempting to emerge from the largest municipal bankruptcy in the nation’s history, and pension cuts have been proposed as a step towards addressing the city’s $10 billion in unfunded liabilities. The first agreement, with the Retired Detroit Police and Fire Fighters Association, would avoid cuts to current pension benefits altogether but involve a nearly 50% reduction in cost of living increases. The other agreement, with the General Retirement System, would involve a 4.5% reduction in benefits and the complete loss of cost-of-living adjustments. Though painful, the cuts are significantly less severe than Mr. Orr’s original plan, which would have seen cuts of up to 34% for most retirees and 14% for police and fire workers. The pension deals are in part the result of $816 million in funding provided by the state, private foundations, and the transfer of city-owned artwork to the Detroit Institute of Arts. Workers and retirees affected by the agreements will still have to approve the measures before they go into effect.

Corporate-Backed Debt Reduction Group Facing Money Troubles
Politico reports that The Fix the Debt Coalition, a group calling for debt reduction through cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, is itself exhibiting signs of increasing financial strain. The organization recently terminated a year long, $200,000 relationship with Mehlman Vogel and Castagnetti, a DC lobbying firm. This is the second firm the Fix the Debt Coalition has dropped in the last month and comes on the heels of revelations of financial trouble at the organization earlier this year.

“Clearly, people value their Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits enormously,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “I believe the leaders of ‘Fix the Debt’ under-estimated the importance of those programs to millions of seniors when they set out to cut them.”

Commemorations Mark Centennial of Ludlow Massacre
Sunday will mark the 100th anniversary of the Ludlow Massacre, the most violent incident of the southern Colorado Coal Strike and an event seen as a turning point in the American labor movement. The Massacre occurred after striking miners organized by the United Mine Workers of America were evicted from company-owned housing and took up residence in tents just outside of Ludlow, Colorado. On April 20th, 1914, Colorado militiamen, company guards, and hired strike breakers began firing on the camp and setting the striking miners’ tents on fire. During the Massacre, at least 20 people were killed, including a group of women and children who suffocated when the tent in which they had taken shelter went up in flames. The horror is widely seen as bringing increased national attention to labor issues, including working conditions, safety, and worker representation. In commemoration of the Massacre’s centennial, events are being held throughout Colorado. To get involved, you can find a complete listing of these events at http://bit.ly/1r2q6gx. You can connect to the Ludlow Centennial Commemoration on Facebook and learn more about the fallen miners and their families at https://www.facebook.com/Ludlow100. Alliance member Dennis Creese recently covered the issue on KGNU at http://bit.ly/RsMF3K.

Fiesta Addresses Machinists
Mr. Fiesta was in Placid Harbor, Maryland on Wednesday to speak at the Machinists Union Political Training and Education Seminar.

Just Over a Week until Start of National Membership Conference in Las Vegas
It is not too late to register for the Alliance for Retired Americans 2014 National Membership Convention at Bally’s Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 28 through May 1. Workshops are slated to include State Battles: Fighting Back Against ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council); Seniors/Retirees Re-entering the Workforce; Messaging for the 2014 Midterm Elections and Beyond; and several others! More info is at http://bit.ly/1hYpj0g.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://tinyurl.com/pysgs9n .

For the Alliance's Spanish language page, which includes last week's Friday Alert in Spanish, go to www.alianzadejubilados.org

Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert 9-6-13

Headlines:
This Grandparents Day, Talk with Your Grandchildren about Retirement Security!
Speaker Boehner Talks about Using Debt Limit to Go after Social Security
By Replacing Defined Benefit Pensions, 401(k) Plans are Increasing Inequality
Rhode Island Alliance Bestows the Hero Award on Rep. Langevin
Illinois Alliance Holds its Sixth Constitutional Convention

This Grandparents Day, Talk with Your Grandchildren about Retirement Security!
This Sunday, September 8th, is Grandparents Day. The holiday presents a unique opportunity for intergenerational conversations about retirement security. While Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are often considered seniors’ issues, they are important for all generations. Since many seniors live with other family members, any cuts to their benefits affect the entire household. A growing number of baby boomers will soon be seeking long term care services, and almost every American family will have to decide what services they need and can afford. We must address a coming shortage of long term care providers and work together to preserve Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Please click here to share a story: http://bit.ly/1fESUGc.

“Far too often, politicians and pundits try to pit one generation against the other to advance their own agendas,” said Doug Hart, President of the Arizona Alliance, and Laura Jasso, Co-Chair of the Arizona Grandparent Ambassadors. “This is insulting because it assumes people only care about themselves and others their own age. Grandparents Day is an occasion for generations to come together to improve the lives of people of all ages. Let’s not be the last generation to retire.”

Speaker Boehner Talks about Using Debt Limit to Go after Social Security
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), speaking about cutting Social Security benefits at a recent Republican fundraiser in Idaho, said, “We're going to have a whale of a fight.” Boehner went on to say, “I've made it clear that we're not going to increase the debt limit without cuts and reforms that are greater than the increase in the debt limit.” According to the Idaho Statesman, Boehner also said that getting the GOP-controlled House to agree to raise the U.S. debt ceiling will only come with a bipartisan deal to make cost-saving changes to Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, farm programs and government pensions. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew has said that President Obama will not negotiate over the issue. The nation is fast approaching the limit on its ability to borrow and could reach it by mid-October. More at http://tinyurl.com/nmy9z9m.

“Already, this year’s budget cuts due to sequestration have hurt seniors in many ways,” said Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance. "There are now 4 million fewer Meals on Wheels. Two million fewer rides for seniors to their doctors.  300,000 seniors lost home heating assistance. Too many people in Washington want those with the least to sacrifice the most. We can’t allow the debt ceiling to be used as a tool to make that pattern worse.”

By Replacing Defined Benefit Pensions, 401(k) Plans are Increasing Inequality
According to a new analysis from Monique Morrissey and Natalie Sabadish at the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the 401(k) plans that displaced many defined benefit pension plans over the last 20 years have contributed to inequality among retirees. The study found that in recent decades, retirement savings for the wealthiest Americans have increased considerably. At the same time, however, ordinary Americans have struggled to save for retirement. In the last two decades, the number of people participating in an employer-based retirement plan has dropped. This decline has been especially pronounced among minorities and those without a college degree.  To learn more, read a Washington Post article about the study at http://tinyurl.com/kmtxzfg and view the EPI report at http://tinyurl.com/mc9lzu8.

“It should come as no surprise that 401(k) plans, which often place the burden of retirement savings entirely on employees, are increasing inequality,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance. “The decline in defined benefit pensions means that Social Security, which is structured to benefit people of all income levels, is more important than ever.”

Rhode Island Alliance Bestows the Hero Award on Rep. Langevin
Last Friday, Rhode Island Alliance President John Pernorio presented Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) with its 2013 Social Security & Medicare Hero Award, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and support for Rhode Island seniors, the disabled, and veterans. Rep. Langevin told the 100 Johnston, RI Senior Center attendees at the award ceremony that he will continue to vote to block any cuts to Social Security and Medicare, including: efforts to privatize Social Security and implement the Chained CPI to calculate the yearly cost-of –living adjustment (COLA); Medicare vouchers; means testing for Medicare; and raising the retirement age. Also attending the celebration was Johnston, RI Mayor Joseph Polisena, who agreed wholeheartedly that Rep. Langevin is a hero. To see photos from the event, go to http://tinyurl.com/mnpjnzm.

More Seniors Choosing To Live in Urban Areas
According to data from Redfin, an online real estate brokerage, over a million members of the baby boom generation moved to areas within 5 miles of a city center between 2000 and 2010. Seniors who have moved from suburbs to the city cite their desire to be able to walk and take efficient public transportation to get from place to place instead of relying on cars. Many retirees also prefer to live in a smaller condo or apartment rather than maintaining large houses and gardens that are no longer necessary once their children have left home. To learn more about this trend, read a Washington Post article on the issue at http://tinyurl.com/m3883za.

“As more seniors relocate from suburbs to cities, it is important for urban areas to ensure that they provide a safe, comfortable environment for older Americans,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “Vibrant senior centers, senior-friendly public transportation, and access to quality health care all go a long way to make sure that seniors feel welcome in their new cities.”

Illinois Alliance Holds its Sixth Constitutional Convention
One hundred and sixteen Illinois activists attended the Illinois Alliance convention in Ottawa, Illinois on Wednesday. Speakers included Ms. Easterling and Michael Carrigan, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO. Re-elected to office were: Barbara Franklin, President; Homer K. Spaulding, Executive Vice President; Katie Jordan, Treasurer; and Jane Russell, Secretary. It was the Illinois chapter's 6th Constitutional Convention, and it was the largest attendance the group has had since their founding.

“Illinois is such an important state in every congressional election, and we are fortunate to have so many politically savvy seniors here,” said Ms. Easterling.

For a printable version of this document, go to http://bit.ly/15EHlQr.