November 2, 2015

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the millions of members and supporters of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, I am writing to urge you to cosponsor H. Res. 393, a resolution expressing support for protecting and expanding Social Security while fairly and responsibly securing the program’s long-term future.

Unsuccessful attempts this fall to include Social Security and Medicare benefit cuts in the recently enacted budget agreement make no sense given the economic realities facing a growing share of seniors. 

  • Seniors have less income in retirement because employers have scaled back or eliminated defined benefit plans.
  • Stagnant wages are grinding away at the middle class’s ability to save for retirement through defined contribution plans.  In other words, you can’t save what you don’t earn. 
  • What little disposable income middle class Americans have is often used to take care of children, grandchildren and aging parents. 
  • That’s why millions of Americans reach retirement age without enough private savings to live on, which results in 40 percent of Social Security beneficiaries depending on the program for 90 percent of their income in retirement. 

To ease the retirement crisis, Social Security benefits must be strengthened rather than cut.  For that reason, the National Committee has endorsed H. Res. 393, the resolution introduced by Representatives Jan Schakowsky, Doris Matsui and Patrick Murphy which supports boosting Social Security. 

With the threat of fiscal crisis behind us for now, it is my hope that Congress will focus on a better vision for middle class and poor seniors by enacting legislation to expand Social Security and Medicare benefits.  With respect to Social Security, you can help us move forward to provide financial security to current and future retirees by cosponsoring H. Res. 393.

To cosponsor, please contact Cathy Hurwit ([email protected] x5-2111), Megan Sussman ([email protected] 5-7163) or Christopher Fisher ([email protected] 5-3026).

Sincerely,

Max Richtman
President and CEO