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As Deficit Reduction Debate Rages, Groups Tell Congress to "Halt the Assault on Retirement Security"
For Immediate Release
Contact: Nancy Hwa, Pension Rights Center, 202-296-3776
WASHINGTON – While Congress fights over how to cut the federal budget deficit, 28 national organizations sent a letter to key members of Congress today, warning that proposed cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and traditional pensions would harm the retirement security of millions of retirees. The letter marks the launch of a new campaign to “Halt the Assault on Retirement Security,” led by Retirement USA, an initiative committed to promoting comprehensive retirement solutions.
In the letter, the groups point to the potentially devastating effect that Social Security cuts would have on retirees:
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Cuts to Social Security’s cost of living adjustments will lead to significant reductions in benefits for millions of vulnerable older Americans…These proposed cuts in Social Security are the latest salvo in a broad-based attack on retirement security. They follow proposed reductions in Medicare benefits; wide-ranging efforts to reduce many state retirement benefits for teachers, firefighters, and other valuable public servants; and the decimation of secure pensions in the private sector…We are calling on you to halt the assault on retirement security. |
The groups warn that proposed cuts will increase another deficit – the Retirement Income Deficit, which currently stands at $6.6 trillion. Calculated by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the Retirement Income Deficit is the gap between what Americans have saved for retirement as of today and what they should have saved by today in order to meet basic needs in retirement.
The letter can be viewed at http://www.retirement-usa.org/sites/default/files/110712_halt_the_assault_letter_to_congress.pdf.
The 28 organizations that signed the letter are
AFL-CIO
Alliance for Retired Americans
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
American Rights at Work
Campaign for America’s Future
Consumer Action
Dēmos
Economic Policy Institute
Global Policy Solutions
GM National Retiree Association/Over the Hill Car People
International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW)
Latinos for a Secure Retirement
National Caucus and Center for the Black Aged, Inc.
National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
National Consumers League
National Council of Women’s Organizations
National Employment Law Project
National Organization of Women
National Senior Citizens Law Center
National Women's Law Center
OWL-The Voice of Midlife and Older Women
Pension Rights Center
Public Citizen
Service Employees International Union
Social Security Works
Strengthen Social Security Campaign
United Steelworkers (USW)
Wider Opportunities for Women
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