Defend US Social Security; Keep it Strong!

Dear GAA Reader,

Across the globe, governments everywhere are abandoning older persons and cutting old age benefits that assured a "decent old age."  Here in the US, the Richest 1% want to reduce or destroy our US Social Security.  You and I must work together to defend our Right to our Social Security.  Here are some basic facts about US Social Security that you can use in arguments, in speeches, in conversations with your children and friends as well as open-minded opponents: 

US Social Security is the bedrock of a "good old age."

In 2012, over 56 million Americans will have received $778 billion in Social Security benefits.  Some 36 million retired workers received a monthly average benefit of $1,234.  (Not a lot of money to support housing, food, transport and costs in old age.  But it helped.)

Disabled workers received an average of a $1,111 monthly benefit.

Surviving dependants of disceased workers received a monthly average beneift of $1,190. 

Why is Social Security so important?   Because the majority of employers fail to offer pension coverage to their workers;  some 51% of the work force has no private pension coverage.  And 34% of the work force has no savings set aside specifically for retirement; wages are so low that saving is made very difficult.

In 1940, the life expectancy of a 65 year-old was almost 14 years; today it's almost 20 years.  So Social Security has to stretch out over longer lives.

By 2033, there will be almost twice as many older Americans as today --  from 43.4 million today  to 75.7 million.

There are currently 2.8 workers for each Social Security beneficiary.  By 2033, there will be 2.1 workers for each beneificiary. 

Use these statistics to defend and strengthen US Social Security.  Many of the richest 1% in the US
want to wreck Social Security for the rest of us.  Don't let them do it.

Contact your Member of Congress, make an appointment, bring along your friends and family and tell them, "Hands off our Social Security." 

In solidarity, Susanne Paul for Global Action on Aging