Pres. Trumka adds his voice to the progressive congresspeople, nurses and others opposing
any changes to Social Security!
Trumka: Social Security Cuts Should Not Be on the Table:
Today as we hear that Social Security cuts may be on the table in the federal budget deficit talks, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and other union and progressive leaders, including House Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid, have come out strongly in opposition to such moves. Trumka says that “at a time when retirement security remains an elusive goal for most Americans, cuts to Social Security benefits – in whatever form they take – should not be on the table. ” Further,
Social Security, our nation’s most effective anti-poverty program, has not contributed one dime to the deficit and should not be part of any deficit-related trade-offs. The AFL-CIO continues to oppose any cuts in Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits, including any cuts in cost of living adjustments. The best solution to our deficit problem is to create good jobs that will rebuild our economy. That should be our first priority.
Ed Coyle, executive director of the
Alliance for Retired Americans, which represents millions of retirees, says the organization is “
troubled by an idea being floated in Washington to change a federal statistical formula to lower Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) for Social Security. ”
As the administration and Republican leaders have previously said, Social Security does not contribute to the budget deficit. It would be terribly hurtful – as well as contradictory to prior White House statements – to try to balance the budget on the backs of current and future retirees. Lowering the COLA would be devastating for millions of retirees. According to the program’s Chief Actuary, a 75-year-old retiree’s benefits would be cut by $560 per year, while an 85-year-old would have an annual cut of $984.
Today’s seniors want to lower the budget deficit. They do not want a large debt to be the legacy they leave behind to their children and grandchildren. But the fact is that Social Security has not added one penny to our deficit and has no place in any debt ceiling negotiations.
I applaud Pres. Trumka for speaking out for all Americans, Union or not, currently retired or just hoping to retire.
I would also suggest that the
Alliance for Retired Americans may be more deserving of your support than the AARP.