"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
Retiree Resources 2012-2013
April 2013
The Alliance invites you to watch the new PBS documentary “Age of Champions” for free from April 18th - 28th. Age of Champions tells the story of five competitors who sprint, leap, and swim for gold at the National Senior Olympics. You’ll meet a 100-year-old tennis champion, 86-year-old pole vaulter, and rough-and-tumble basketball grandmothers as they triumph over the limitations of age. The film premiered to a standing ovation at the prestigious Silverdocs Film Festival. The Washington Post hailed it as “infectiously inspiring,” and it’s already shown at more than 1,000 venues around the world.
March 2013
Colon Cancer Awareness Month - March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Have you had your screening? It is free for seniors thanks to the Affordable Care Act!
Diabetes Alert Day – March 26th is Diabetes Alert Day. Alert Day is held on the fourth Tuesday of every March to remind Americans to take the Diabetes Risk Test. The American Diabetes Association has special tips for seniors living with diabetes.
National Kidney Month - March has been designated as National Kidney Month to promote awareness of kidney disease. The CDC estimates that about 17% of the American population suffers from kidney disease. Individuals with diabetes or high blood pressure are at a particularly high risk. The National Institutes of Health offers information on kidney disease specifically geared towards seniors.
February 2013
Strengthening Social Security: What do Americans Want? - Americans support Social Security and are willing to pay more to preserve and even improve benefits, according to a new survey by the nonpartisan National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI). The study finds a sharp contrast between what Americans say they want and changes being discussed in Washington - such as cutting benefits by using a “chained” Consumer Price Index to determine Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
American Heart Month – February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, claiming 600,000 American lives every year. The CDC is providing a heart disease prevention tip every day throughout February.
National Cancer Prevention Month – February is also National Cancer Prevention Month, dedicated to raising awareness about the steps that can be taken to reduce your risk of cancer.
January 2013
Cervical Health Awareness Month - The United States Congress designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month. During January, you may wish to highlight issues related to cervical cancer, HPV disease and the importance of early detection.
December 2012
National Influenza Vaccination Week: December 2-8 - a national observance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as fostering greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond.
Some facts about the flu:
- More than 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu complications each year.
- The flu season actually peaks in February, not during the holidays.
As we look forward towards 2013, here are some tools to help you anticipate any changes to healthcare or benefits:
- Affordable Care Act Implementation Timeline: This interactive timeline explains what aspects of the Affordable Care Act we will see implemented in 2013, and what effects they may have.
- What the Health Care Law Means for You
- Affordable Care Act Implementation By State
- Social Security Changes in 2013
November 2012
American Diabetes Month - American Diabetes Month takes place each November and is a time to come together as a community to Stop Diabetes!
Here are a couple of facts about diabetes:
- Nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes.
- The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $174 billion.
September 2012
Working America - Another Way to Join the Movement - Meet Vicki, a retired Pennsylvania teacher who is making a difference with Working America.
Healthy Aging Month - September is Healthy Aging Month, and the National Eye Institute urges all older Americans to make comprehensive dilated eye exam a part of their health care routine to prevent eye disease.
August 2012
A Union’s Open Heart Fuels Fight to End Childhood AIDS - CWA members have worked tirelessly to raise money and support efforts to find a cure for childhood HIV/AIDS.
Law Students Connect with Workers, Community in Summer of Service - The AFL-CIO's Law Student Summer program gives law students a chance to immerse themselves in labor law at the local level.
Psoriasis Awareness Month - Each August, the National Psoriasis Foundation sponsors Psoriasis Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness, educating the public and dispelling myths about psoriasis.
Women's Equality Day: August 26 - Commemorating the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave U.S. women full voting rights in 1920.
July 2012
Bladder Cancer Awareness Month - Although the origins of this disease are not fully understood, one fact is evident: the more people who get tested for it, the more lives that can be saved.
Sarcoma Awareness Month - Rep. Kathy Castor of Florida has introduced a resolution to support the designation of July as Sarcoma Awareness Month.
May 2012
Medicare Rights Center: Preventive Benefits Explained - A new, detailed flier for consumers and professionals on Medicare preventive benefits.
The Alliance invites you to watch the new PBS documentary “Age of Champions” for free from April 18th - 28th, at www.ageofchampions.org/premiere. Age of Champions tells the story of five competitors who sprint, leap, and swim for gold at the National Senior Olympics. You’ll meet a 100-year-old tennis champion, 86-year-old pole vaulter, and rough-and-tumble basketball grandmothers as they triumph over the limitations of age. The film premiered to a standing ovation at the prestigious Silverdocs Film Festival. The Washington Post hailed it as “infectiously inspiring,” and it’s already shown at more than 1,000 venues around the world.
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