The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) was founded in 1982 by former Congressman James Roosevelt, son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt who signed the Social Security Act into law. Two additional leaders of prominence have also headed the organization; from 1989 - 2001, former Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Martha A. McSteen, and former Congresswoman Barbara B. Kennelly, who headed the organization from 2002 - 2011. Max Richtman, who served as Executive Vice President since 1989, was appointed as President and CEO in August 2011.
The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare is the nation's leading advocacy group that fights to protect Social Security and Medicare. We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization representing the views of millions of members and supporters nationwide. The mission of the NCPSSM is to protect, preserve, promote, and ensure the financial security, health, and the well being of current and future generations of Americans.
The organization's work is supported through annual membership dues and contributions. NCPSSM receives no federal, state or local government funding, and does not sell any products, services or goods, which distinguishes it from other national seniors' organizations. NCPSSM members actively participate in and support petition drives, letter campaigns, surveys and polls. To date, more than 74 million petitions and letters to Congress and the President have been signed by our members and supporters. The credibility and strength of the National Committee organization's influence has been attributed in the outcome of many important legislative initiatives. Examples include the successful 1995 campaign against a proposed $270 billion in cuts to Medicare, the passage of the Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act in 2000, and the defeat of President's Bush's Social Security privatization plan in 2005. The National Committee was the leading voice of opposition to the passage of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 and it continues to fight for reforms to correct the many flaws in the current law. *
A team of highly experienced policy analysts and lobbyists meets regularly with Members of Congress and their staffs to present the National Committee's positions and make recommendations regarding current legislative proposals. Through its Political Action Committee, NCPSSM supports incumbents and challengers who have demonstrated a strong commitment to seniors' issues. Voting records, campaign questionnaires and candidate interviews guide are considered when determining PAC support.
Grassroots activities are conducted through a national network of managers, Area Representatives, Advocacy Leaders, volunteers and a Washington DC Rally Corp. NCPSSM representatives organize and participate in workshops, forums, conferences and exhibits to provide legislative updates, advocacy training and education.
In 1994, NCPSSM was admitted as a member of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), a coalition of 64 of the nation's non-profit organizations serving older Americans. By unanimous vote in 1999, NCPSSM became one of five chairing organizations for LCAO and since then has successfully led the coalition three times.
The Board of Directors is elected by the NCPSSM members. The Board meets three times per year to provide strategic guidance and support for the work of NCPSSM staff. Leaders in business, government, policy, education, healthcare and advocacy fill the 14 board positions.
The National Committee commemorated 25 years of advocacy in 2008 and launched the NCPSSM Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to protect, promote and ensure the financial security, health and well-being of current and future generations of Americans through research, analysis and public education.
Read the list of NCPSSM accomplishments