April 24, 2013
Media Release
The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare’s has released its analysis, “Immigration Reform and Social Security” detailing why, contrary to claims made by immigration reform opponents, reform is not a threat to Social Security’s funding.
“Those opposed to immigration reform have attempted to use vital programs, like Social Security, as an economic excuse to avoid doing the right thing. The truth is, comprehensive immigration reform is not a threat to Social Security. In fact, earlier immigration reform proposals moderately strengthened Social Security’s financing, and the legislation under consideration today should do the same. By bringing undocumented workers out of the shadows of our economy and into its mainstream, immigration reform has the potential to strengthen Social Security and accelerate overall economic growth.” …Max Richtman, NCPSSM President/CEO
The National Council on Aging and the National Hispanic Council on Aging have also examined immigration reform’s impact on vital programs in their policy brief, “Immigration Reform: Key Issues for Older Adults and People with Disabilities.”
“Comprehensive immigration reform will help millions come out of the shadows. Many of the half million older adult immigrants have worked for decades and contributed millions to Social Security. They should be able to receive the payments they’ve earned. Hispanic seniors, immigrant or not, struggle to reach economic security and without Social Security 50% would live in poverty. Social Security is particularly important to them and instead of denying earned Social Security benefits to new Americans, we should reward their contributions to the United States.” …Jason Coates, NHCOA Public Policy Associate
The NCOA/NHCOA joint study highlighted several important findings, including: immigration reform will increase the number of workers contributing taxes adding additional federal and state revenue, the future ratio of workers to beneficiaries for Social Security and Medicare will be enhanced by the addition of children and grandchildren of immigrants, and the strengthening of a stable direct care work force will assist individuals with disabilities, older adults, and informal family caregivers and also allow newly legalized workers to contribute economically. U.S. businesses lose up to an estimated $33.6 billion per year in lost productivity from full time working informal family caregivers.
“Immigration reform is the right thing to do and the smart thing to do. The practical matter is the number of older people who will need long-term care as they age will double in the coming decade. One in five of our current direct care workforce was born abroad. An estimated 27 million seniors will need long term help by 2050 and the need for direct care workers will grow dramatically, an estimated 1.6 million workers by 2020 and 3 million workers by 2050. Finding a way to provide a stable and steady workforce is crucial.”… James Firman, NCOA President/CEO
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The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization 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.
Media Inquiries to:
Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123
Kim Wright 202-216-8414
www.ncpssm.org