"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
Seniors Looking for Clear Answers in Tonight's Debate
October 03, 2012
For Immediate Release
October 3, 2012
The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans:
“Seniors across the country will be paying close attention to tonight’s presidential debate, hoping for clear, honest answers about the future of the Medicare and Social Security they count on to stay healthy and make ends meet.
“Retirees need reassurance that Medicare will continue to help them afford to see a doctor and fill a prescription, and that it will not become a means to help insurance companies gain more power and profit. Seniors who paid for their Social Security in every paycheck they ever earned will be keeping a close eye on the candidates, worried that Social Security could be cut to lower a budget deficit it did not cause.
“Today’s retirees will not just be thinking of themselves in tonight’s debate. They do not want to be the last generation to retire. They worry about their children and grandchildren, and want Medicare and Social Security to remain strong for future generations.
“Because retirees vote more than any other age group, they are the top target for expensive, often misleading political ads. It is time to stop scaring seniors. Tonight is a chance to turn down the noise and speak directly to the American people about their future.
“The Alliance for Retired Americans, with 4 million members and 33 state chapters across the country, will continue its efforts to educate retirees and workers on the issues and where the candidates stand."
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Contact: David Blank (202) 637-5275 or dblank@retiredamericans.org










