| ======================
CHN Social Security Update
====================== Social Security private accounts plans recently introduced in Congress seek to undo one of the greatest progressive accomplishments in U.S. history. Congress will be in recess during August, during which anti-Social Security members of Congress will peddle this plan -- and they will succeed if the pro-Social Security majority doesn't make itself heard.
1. If you haven't already, use CHN's simple email letter to Tell Congress: Privatization STILL Won't Work! 2. Participate in the National Social Security Call-In Day on August 1 organized by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.
August 1 st is the first day of the Congressional recess and is also the day many Social Security recipients receive their monthly checks. The National Committee will provide Congressional district contact numbers for all those who are participating in the National Social Security Call-In day. Participants can call NCPSSM's toll free number at 1-800-966-1935 to request numbers for all Senate and House district offices. 3. Attend events to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Social Security, the greatest anti-poverty program in U.S. history, on the weeekend of August 13-14.
Hundreds of celebrations are being planned all over the country. To join one or plan one in your own neighborhood, click here: http://www.americansforsocialsecurity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=96&Itemid=165
On July 15, Representative Jim McCrery and other House Republicans introduced his bill to siphon money out of Social Security to create private accounts -- by funding them with surplus payments to the program. Since the surpluses, which are expected to last 11 years, are needed to pay future benefits, the overall result will be $1.7 trillion of deficit and a weakened Social Security program (see previous Social Security Update) In the Senate, Jim DeMint is pushing a similar proposal. Here's what the privatizers have to say: Senator DeMint (R-SC): "Our whole intention is to come back and add reform on top of this -- at least [my intention] -- is for larger accounts." Representative Johnson (R-TX): "The bill is an achievable first step towards private accounts." McCrery and his allies hope if they create a temporary accounts program that actually weakens Social Security and reduces guaranteed benefits, they can extend and enlarge the private accounts later in some future legislation to further privatize the program.
A Million Children Lifted Above The Poverty Line.
Over 3 million children receive Social Security benefits as dependents or survivors according to the Social Security Administration . According to the National Academy of Social Insurance , over 5 million children under age 18 receive part of their family income from Social Security; in contrast only around 4 million children receive TANF. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that a million more children would be in poverty if not for Social Security. Dramatically Reduced Elderly Poverty
Social Security lifts 13 million seniors above poverty. Half a century ago, over a third of seniors lived in poverty, while today only one in ten live in poverty . There is still progress to be made in eliminating elderly poverty -- and privatization takes us in the wrong direction.
A Safety Net For Families Who Lose A Breadwinner To Death Or Disability
Only half the beneficiaries of Social Security receive benefits solely because they are retired. The rest of those receiving Social Security are adults with disabilities and their dependents, widows and widowers, and children whose parents have died. What is often forgotten is that Social Security is more than a retirement program and provides many types of benefits that a normal pension plan could never provide (see Social Security Update: More Than A Retirement Program ).
=> Back to Social Security Main Page | 
