"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

Press Releases

August 13, 2010

Retirees Proud But Anxious as Social Security Turns 75

“True American Success Story” Threatened by False Claims, Ideology

For Immediate Release
August 13, 2010

The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, on the 75^th anniversary of President Franklin Roosevelt signing Social Security into law on August 14, 1935.

“Retirees have much to be proud of as Social Security turns 75. It is a true American success story, one that has kept generations of seniors out of poverty, and allowed millions to retire with dignity and peace of mind. But this milestone anniversary is tainted by calls, in the name of deficit reduction, to cut Social Security benefits and raise the retirement age.

“Current and future retirees have reason to be concerned. First, the claims that Social Security adds to our deficit are just plain wrong. Social Security is fully-funded through payroll taxes on workers and employers; it has not added a cent to the federal deficit.

July 30, 2010

Medicare at 45: Health Reform Brings New Benefits for Retirees

45th Anniversary of “True American Success Story”

For Immediate Release
July 30, 2010

The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans:

“Today is the 45^th anniversary of Medicare, a milestone for a true American success story that has helped reduce senior poverty by two-thirds.

“This year is an especially happy birthday for Medicare, because the new health reform law makes it easier for seniors to afford to see a doctor, fill a prescription, and receive free preventive screenings and tests for serious diseases.

“But unfortunately too many retirees remain skeptical and unaware of these new benefits.

/medicare_s_45th_birthday.pdf

July 09, 2010

Boehner Comments Hurtful to Workers

House GOP Leader Wants to Raise Retirement Age to 70

For Immediate Release
June 30, 2010

“John Boehner’s call to raise the Social Security retirement age to 70 is not only deeply hurtful and insensitive to workers, but also reflects a dangerously flawed misunderstanding of how Social Security is financed and operates,” said Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, a four million-member grassroots advocacy organization.

June 10, 2010

Retiree Activists Celebrate Relief for Seniors with High Drug Costs

For Immediate Release

Join Senators on Day $250 Rebate Checks Begin Going to Seniors

The following are prepared remarks for Barbara J. Easterling and Stella Johnson at a U.S. Senate press conference to mark the beginning of relief for seniors who fall into the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole" coverage gap. Ms. Easterling is President of the Alliance for Retired Americans and Ms. Johnson is a retired teacher from Washington DC who is in the doughnut hole.

June 08, 2010

Retirees Laud Obama Remarks on Health Reform and Seniors

New Law Will Help Seniors Better Afford Doctor Visits, Prescription Drugs

The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, in response to a national tele-town hall President Obama held today to educate retirees on the new health reform law.

May 19, 2010

Retirees Celebrate Critz Victory

For Immediate Release

Win Will Help Protect Social Security Benefits for Seniors

The following statement was issued by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, in response to yesterday's victory by Mark Critz in Pennsylvania:

May 04, 2010

Retiree Voting Record Focuses on Health Care, Medicare, and Economics

For Immediate Release

Seniors Fight Uphill Battle to Maintain Standard of Living

To mark Older Americans Month, the Alliance for Retired Americans today released a new report detailing the voting record of every U.S. Senator and Representative on key issues affecting current and future retirees.

April 28, 2010