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Social Security’s Economic Benefits are Viable Campaign Issue
As we approach Social Security’s 83rd anniversary this mid-term election year, what better time to remind candidates for House and Senate about the program’s immense contribution to the economy? Every year, Social Security pays out more than $800 billion in benefits to some 57 million Americans, who spend that money in their communities – providing economic stimulus on the local, state, and national levels. With the elections less than 90 days away, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare has updated our state-by-state snapshots, revealing how much revenue Social Security contributes to the economy of every Congressional District in each state.
“Social Security has a very big footprint in Congressional districts across the country, which is a tremendous benefit not only for beneficiaries, but for entire communities,” says Max Richtman, president and CEO of the National Committee. “Yet, in the face of clear evidence of Social Security’s effectiveness, conservatives want to cut and privatize the program. Candidates in this year’s mid-term elections must ask themselves whether their communities can afford to lose billions of dollars in economic stimulus – not to mention the baseline financial security that these earned benefits provide retirees and their families. The answer for anyone who seeks to represent the people should be a resounding ‘No.’”
Social Security Disability Claimants May See Benefits Denied Under New Executive Order
The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare strongly opposes President Trump’s executive order to politicize the selection of administrative law judges (ALJs) who decide Social Security disability claims. For decades, ALJs have been chosen based on their credentials and experience, but essentially could now become political appointees. The Trump administration will likely appoint judges who share its hostility to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Sen. Rubio’s Family Leave Plan Undermines Social Security
Senator Marco Rubio’s proposal to fund paid family leave by cutting participants’ future Social Security benefits is nothing less than a Trojan Horse to undermine Social Security – and lays the groundwork for further damage to the program. Social Security is not a piggy bank or ATM to be used for other programs, no matter how commendable.
“Our Social Security system is a foundation of economic security for workers and their families in the event of a worker’s retirement, disability or death. While we believe that expanding access to paid parental leave is important for all workers, we oppose legislation that would finance it by cutting future Social Security benefits,” said Max Richtman, president and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.
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