The great federal program, Social Security, turns 79 years young on Aug. 14. In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law, creating the government program that guarantees a working person some sort of pension when they grow old.
Today, Social Security continues to provide a base income for not only millions of seniors, but also the disabled, and orphaned minors. For millions of seniors, Social Security is their only income source.
But instead of celebrating and strengthening this program that has worked so well for so many for so long, many on the political wrong want to literally destroy the program that assists so many.
In response, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare has taken the lead to advocate in defense of Social Security and educate Americans about what’s going on.
The “BOOST SOCIAL SECURITY NOW” campaign is designed to generate support for the “Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013.”
Its legislation is filed as Senate Bill 567 and House Resolution 3118.
Sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA), the bill calls for changes in the benefit formula for Social Security beneficiaries leading to a benefit increase of approximately $70 per month. That’s great news for seniors already strapped with grocery bills, rent or mortgage payments, doctor bills, etc.
The legislation also calls for the gradual elimination of the Social Secuity payroll tax cap and calls for the change in the COLA formula to the “CPI-elderly” or CPI-E.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? Call your congressional representative TODAY. Dial 800-998-0180, follow the prompts to reach your elected official (you’ll use your zip code) and ask your official “to sign onto the Harkin-Sanchez bill to Boost Social Security. Thank you.” The call is free and the benefits will be priceless if the bill turns into law.
Another thing to do is join the National Committee ($12 minimum per year) to show your support for the good work the committee does year-round.
View the Web site at www.ncpssm.org. Also see the Boost Social Security Now Web site: www.boostsocialsecuritynow.org.