"Raising the retirement age would inflict further hardship among a group of workers who are likely to face health and economic problems in their 60s." –Doug Hart, President, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans
"Of all the lies and confusion that still surround the Affordable Care Act, perhaps the greatest is that it is bad for seniors." - Dave Meinell, President, Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans
"My father died when I was three. Because of Social Security (survivors) benefits, my Mom, my younger sister and I survived." – Diane Fleming, DC Alliance Member
"We fear that Congress will balance the budget on the backs of the 98 percent, which is working Montanans and retired Montanans. We simply cannot afford these devastating cuts to vital services such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid," –John Forkan, President, Montana Alliance for Retired Americans
"Along with national parks and Social Security, Medicare is one of the best ideas we Americans have ever devised." -Tim Cunningham, New Mexico Alliance Member
"Seniors have earned and deserve their Social Security checks, and they shouldn't have to go to Congress every 10 years and beg for the program to be renewed." –James Parent, Alliance for Retired Americans Regional Board Member
"Today's retirees paid Medicare and Social Security taxes in every paycheck we ever earned. Now that we are retired, these programs help us to be able to stay healthy and pay our bills. They are the promise we make to people who worked hard all their lives, and we need to keep that promise for today’s workers." –Tony Fransetta, President, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans
"Today's seniors want to lower the budget deficit. We do not want a large debt to be the legacy we leave to future generations, but we should not punish people who have paid Social Security taxes all their lives." –Jim Moore, President, North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans
"Social Security should remain what it has been for 77 years – a solid, reliable way that generations of workers have been able to retire with dignity, economic security, and peace of mind." –Barbara J. Easterling, President, Alliance for Retired Americans
"The fight for Social Security and Medicare is part of a larger fight for justice and fairness"—Barbara J. Easterling, President, Alliance for Retired Americans
"The health insurance reform helps not just seniors, but also middle-class families and young Americans, who are just starting to see the benefits. Don’t let Republicans take all that away." –Don Rowen, President Emeritus, Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans
"Honoring the promise of Social Security and Medicare should not be a partisan issue. Honoring the contributions that we make throughout our working years so that we may feed and clothe ourselves, keep a roof over our heads and those of our family, there is no reason for that to be a hotly contested partisan issue." –Edward Coyle, Executive Director, Alliance for Retired Americans
"We need to make sure that people who need Social Security to make ends meet will have it, and not fall victim to ill-informed and unnecessary cuts to these vital programs."
–Barbara J. Easterling, President, Alliance for Retired Americans

Edward F. Coyle - Executive Director
Edward Coyle has directed the growth of the Alliance for Retired Americans since its inception in 2001. During that time, the Alliance has chartered 33 state Alliances and 1,400 local chapters while the national organization has grown to 4 million members with a fast growing community-based membership. Under his leadership, the Alliance has been at the forefront of battles on Medicare/prescription drugs, Social Security and the 2006, 2008, and 2010 campaigns. A long-time political activist, he has been involved in scores of political campaigns and is deeply committed to social and economic justice for all citizens.
Coyle is one of five rotating Chairs of the Leadership Council on Aging Organizations (LCAO), a coalition which represents 66 national not-for-profit organizations concerned with the well being of America's 87 million older Americans.
Prior to joining the Alliance, Coyle founded Radio Fair America, a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization, to monitor and report on the effect of talk radio on national politics and public policy. As the organization's National Director, he also provided frequent on-air political analysis, including a regularly scheduled "Vote of the Century" segment on the 2000 election campaign for America's Voice Television Network, and he hosted a weekly program called "The Capitol Insider" for the same network.
Earlier, as founding partner of Coyle, McConnell & O'Brien, Coyle assisted a number of House and Senate candidates and progressive organizations, including UNITE HERE, with their direct mail and fundraising needs.
Coyle also founded and developed Independent Action, a successful, progressive political action committee, which contributed more than $4 million to 84 members of Congress as well as non-incumbent candidates. Coyle served the organization from 1980 through 1997, first as executive director, and then as chair of the board. He was Presidential campaign director for Representative Morris Udall in 1976 and his executive assistant from 1977 until 1980.










