Social Security
Fact Sheet: January 2012
Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid: What's at Stake in 2012
Will across the board cuts go into effect in 2013? If so, will Social Security be protected?
Fact Sheets: November 2011
Letter from national organizations explaining why the Balanced Budget Amendment would be harmful.
National_Organizations_Oppose_Balanced Budget Amendment
Alliance fact sheet with the 2012 numbers for various Social Security and Medicare thresholds.
Social Security and Medicare 2012 Facts and Figures
On November 16, Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced S. 1876, the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers Act. It is a bill to change the Social Security COLA to what is called the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) formula. See why the Alliance supports this legislation.
Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers Act Letter
Fact Sheets: October 2011
Useful information from the Social Security Administration for 2012, including the new maximum taxable earnings figures and earnings limits for Social Security recipients.
2012 Social Security Data from SSA
A Balanced Budget Amendment has been gaining momentum in Congress. Learn what it could mean for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Balanced Budget Amendment & Social Security
How to improve the economy without making cuts to key programs like Social Security.
Improve the Economy - Protect Social Security
See how the Super Committee might affect Social Security, and what to watch for.
Super Committee Summary
Fact Sheet: August 2011
Did you know? Social Security is an extremely efficient program, with administrative costs of only 0.9% of total expenditures!
Social Security: Facts and Figures, 2011
Fact Sheets: May - July, 2011
A comprehensive analysis of what the Social Security payroll tax cut means for beneficiaries Social Security payroll_tax cut
Find out the dangers of proposals to re-work the Cost of Living Adjustments for Social Security via a "Chained" Consumer Price Index. Chained_CPI & Social Security Benefits
Social Security is a critical lifeline for people from all walks of life. Almost 6 million African Americans receive Social Security benefits.
Social Security and African-Americans
Letters: July, 2011
The Alliance has sent a letter to all Members of the U.S House stressing that the "Cut, Cap, and Balance" bill would require devastating budget cuts that would disproportionately harm seniors and the middle class. Alliance's 'Cut, Cap, and Balance' Letter
A group of senior advocacy organizations, including the Alliance, sent a passionate letter to members of Congress calling for a halt to the assault on retirement security. Alliance Sign On Letter to Congress
Social Security's 76th Anniversary
This summer Social Security celebrates its 76th anniversary. Seniors across the nation will celebrate with birthday cake, actions and town hall meetings. Download the Senior_Summer_Toolkit_2011.pdf for details and materials for hosting an event.
Save Social Security and Medicare Radio Ad
Listen to the Alliance radio ad that is airing in West Virginia, Colorado, and Missouri.
Social Security and Medicare Radio Ad
Paul Ryan Budget and Social Security
Fact Sheet on Paul Ryan Republican Budget Learn how House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's April 5, 2011 Budget Plan Would Adversely Affect Seniors who rely on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
Paul Ryan Letter Letter from the Alliance to all Members of the U.S House, urging them to vote against the Ryan Budget.
Fact Sheets - February, 2011
State-by-state data from the House Ways and Means Committee on what it would mean if SSA offices were to close or go on long furloughs, and the effects that would have on beneficiaries and people submitting new claims.
How the GOP Continuing Resolution Would Affect Social Security
Social Security benefits are based on a worker’s earnings; the more a worker makes, the higher the benefit amount will be.
Low Wage Earners and Social Security en español
For 75 years, Social Security has operated as a family insurance program that serves Americans of all ages.
Social Security and Children en español
Social Security is an essential program to millions of Americans, and is especially important to minorities, many of whom have no other source of retirement income.
Social Security and Communities of Color en español
According to the Social Security Administration, about 3 in 10 men and 1 in 4 women will become seriously disabled prior to reaching their Social Security retirement age.
Social Security and SSDI en español
Social Security is a critical lifeline for people from all walks of life, and many older women enter retirement with fewer economic resources than men.
Social Security and Women en español
Today more than 70 million Americans work in private sector firms. Of that number, more than 10 million work in firms with fewer than 100 employees. Generally, the smaller the firm size, the less likely the firm will offer a defined benefit or defined contribution retirement plan to workers.
Social Security and Workers in Small Businesses en español
Social Security Works for Your State
State-by-State statistics broken out by state and Congressional District. From Social Security Works, a coalition that includes the Alliance for Retired Americans.
State Reports
Letter to President Obama January 20, 2011 - Thirty state Alliance Presidents told President Obama that he has “the opportunity to renew the nation’s commitment to the Social Security program during the State of the Union Address” and urged him to reject false claims that Social Security increases the federal budget deficit.
Thirty State Presidents' Letter to Obama January 20 2011
Payroll Tax Holiday Jeopardizes Social Security
The Strengthen Social Security Campaign, comprised of 250 organizations and representing more than 50 million members from many of the nation’s leading aging, labor, and civil rights organizations - including the Alliance - recently sent a letter to Congress regarding a proposed Social Security payroll tax cut. The letter urges Congress to oppose the payroll tax “holiday” in the President’s tax agreement with Republican leaders. It highlights how a payroll holiday will make Social Security and those who rely on it extremely vulnerable.
Strengthen Social Security Letter To Congress December 10, 2010: Oppose Payroll Tax Holiday
In a letter to Sen. Reid on December 10, 2010, a group led by Senators Jeff Merkley (OR) and Mary Landrieu (LA) pushed for an alternative tax cut agreement that strengthens Social Security rather than providing bonus tax cuts on income over $1 million. Other senators signing the letter include Senators Mark Begich (AK), Daniel Akaka (HI), Sherrod Brown (OH), Al Franken (MN), Mark Udall (CO), and Barbara Boxer (CA).
Letter to Majority Leader Reid from Democratic Senators
Recommendations of the Co-Chairs of the President's Fiscal Commission:
On December 3, 2010, the full Commission met to vote on the co-chairs’ proposal. Under the Executive Order that created the Commission, 14 votes of the 18 members were necessary to make the proposal an official recommendation of the Commission. The Commission voted 11 to 7 in favor of the proposal, which means the Commission did not adopt the proposals to change Social Security. Issue brief on the final actions of the Fiscal Commission en español
From Social Security Works, which includes the Alliance as a member of the Steering Committee: Ten Reasons the Fiscal Commission Proposal Should Be DOA (Dead on Arrival)
Recommendations from Fiscal Commission Co-Chairs Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, November 10, 2010: Co-Chairs' Proposal
The Ryan Roadmap: A transfer of Resources to the Wealthiest Americans
In January 2010, Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) released The Roadmap for America’s Future, which would radically alter our nation’s social insurance programs and tax policies. According to an analysis by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a non-partisan think tank, the plan would result in a massive transfer of resources from working and middle class Americans to the nation’s wealthiest individuals. Under the Republican majority in the House, Congressman Ryan has become the Chairman of the Budget Committee in 2011. Here is how seniors would be affected by the Ryan Roadmap: Fact Sheet-Ryan Roadmap-December_15 2010 en español
75th Birthday Events:
Social Security turned 75 years old on Saturday, August 14th! The Alliance hosted numerous celebrations and actions around the country (pinpointed on map below). Wrap-up here.
Check out the new American Stories Project - discover real Social Security stories from Alliance members here.
Social Security comprises about 40 percent of older Americans’ income, making it the primary component to ensuring a secure retirement. It is worth noting that in its 75 years of existence, Social Security has not added a cent to our country’s budget deficit. Nevertheless, even as the baby boomers begin to retire, some fiscal conservatives have labeled Social Security as “unsustainable” and in need of “serious cuts.” This year, the president established a Fiscal Commission, comprised in part of individuals who seek to reduce the funding to Social Security as a means to fixing
Other Key Social Security Documents from the Alliance:
Testimony for September 30 Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Hearing "Protecting and Preserving Social Security for Generations" - testimony and facts, including one New Hampshire Alliance member's story.
Testimony for July 15 2010 Ways and Means Committee Social Security Subcommittee Hearing "Social Security at 75 Years: More Necessary Now Than Ever" - testimony, including facts about Social Security and recent statistics on retirement security, related to Social Security's 75th anniversary.
Social Security Facts and Figures 2010 A snapshot that answers: When can I receive benefits? Who is eligible? How do I apply?
Issue Brief: Social Security - A Promise to All Generations A comprehensive overview on the importance of Social Security and its benefits.
Fact Sheet Social Security Executive Commission April 2010 en espanol A detailed synopsis of what is going on with the Fiscal Commission and why it affects Social Security.
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