The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare is launching a new public education campaign — sponsored by AARP — to correct misinformation about Social Security and emphasize the program’s value to American workers, especially to communities of color. The campaign, “Social Security: Here Today, Here Tomorrow,” will debunk myths and give workers the facts about their vital earned benefits. The campaign includes a series of public town halls across the U.S. between June and October, 2023, featuring prominent Social Security experts and advocates, Social Security officials, and financial advisors. The first town hall is Tuesday, June 27th, in Richmond, VA.
“There is a ‘doom and gloom’ narrative about Social Security today. ‘The program is going bankrupt.’ ‘It won’t be there for future generations.’ ‘Politicians are stealing from Social Security.’ None of that is true. We want the public to understand that Social Security is there for them today — and it will be there for them tomorrow. And not just in retirement, but in case of disability, the death of a family breadwinner, or the retirement of a spouse. That’s what this campaign is all about,” says NCPSSM President and CEO Max Richtman, who will moderate some of the upcoming town halls.
Social Security is a financial lifeline to millions of American seniors, but it is especially crucial to the Black community. Black Americans traditionally rely on Social Security for monthly income more than other groups do, due to wage and job discrimination, diminishing employer-provided pensions, and challenges in saving for retirement. “Like all Americans, the Black community pays into Social Security with every paycheck — and deserves to know that the government will keep its promise to provide baseline financial security when they encounter what President Franklin Roosevelt called ‘the hazards and vicissitudes’ of life,” says Richtman.
At the “Social Security: Here Today, Here Tomorrow” town halls, attendees will enjoy themed games and refreshments, followed by a panel discussion with national and local experts, including Q&A. Representatives of the Social Security Administration and/or congressional district offices have been invited to answer attendees’ questions about their own Social Security benefits.
Here is a schedule of the town halls. Admission is free. Reservations are required.
Richmond, VA, June 27, 2023 at the Black History & Cultural Center of Virginia
Philadelphia, PA, July 26, 2023 at Center In The Park
Lansing, MI, August 28, 2023 at AARP Michigan Office (To be televised later on WLAJ-TV/ABC)
Milwaukee, WI, September, 2023 (date & location TBA)
Las Vegas, NV, October, 2023 (date & location TBA)
Here is a 2-minute video about the campaign.
Read our local press release for the Richmond town hall.
For more information, visit the campaign website, www.socialsecurityheretoday.org.
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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.
DC/National Media Inquiries:
Walter Gottlieb 202-216-0420
[email protected]
www.ncpssm.org
Local Media Inquiries:
Dan Kelly
[email protected]
202-876-5148