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    Social Security 75 Years: Keeping the Promise


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    THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
    ~ Celebrating 25 Years of Advocacy for Older Americans ~

    January 25, 2008

    NEWS RELEASE

    The National Committee Applauds Senator John Kerry's Efforts to Include Seniors in Stimulus Package

    In a letter to his colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Kerry has made a persuasive case against ignoring millions of Americans seniors left out of the House- negotiated stimulus plan.  Kerry says:

    "As you develop the legislative language of the economic stimulus package, I urge you to structure the rebate so that we do not unfairly penalize millions of seniors who are faced with the same economic strains as young families, but do not have the ability to increase their incomes." Senator John Kerry (D-MA)

    The economic downturn and rising prices have hit older Americans especially hard since many live on a fixed income with little ability to increase their earnings. Millions of America 's seniors were left behind in the 2001 and 2003 stimulus packages and are again being excluded in the current House proposal. 

    The Social Security Administration says it can deliver stimulus to seniors in 6 weeks and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Americans 65 and older spend 92% of their earnings each year. If timely, targeted, and temporary is the goal for an economic stimulus package then America 's seniors deserve to be included.

    "America's retirees feel the pain of rising costs and economic uncertainty as much as any segment of our population. Many live check to check and would immediately spend any rebate they receive. The Social Security Administration could get seniors a stimulus check in 6 weeks - faster than the IRS can deliver.  American seniors should be the first step in any plan to pump billions of dollars into the economy as quickly as possible." Barbara B. Kennelly, NCPSSM President/CEO and Social Security Advisory Board Member

    The National Committee and its millions of members and supporters nationwide are calling, writing and emailing Congress urging them to include seniors living on fixed incomes in the economic stimulus package now being considered in Washington .

    The National Committee is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the board of directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.