Fw: The Arc Action Alert - Please protect Social Security

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Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

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The Arc Action Alert - Please protect Social Security

CELEBRATE SOCIAL SECURITY'S 75TH BIRTHDAY! Take Action!

PROTECT IT FROM EFFORTS TO REDUCE FEDERAL DEFICIT

The Issue: As the nation celebrates the 75th birthday of the Social

Security system, the presidentially appointed National Commission on Fiscal

Responsibility and Reform is working to identify policies to improve the

nation's fiscal situation, including ways to reduce the federal deficit by 2015.

One work group is discussing issues related to mandatory spending, which

includes Social Security benefits. The Commission's final report and

recommendations are due in December.

What This Means for People with Disabilities and their Families:

Social security benefits could be significantly reduced.

Why Social Security is so Important. Social Security is far more

than a retirement program. More than a third of people who receive monthly

social security payments are not retirees, including:

a.. 8 million disabled workers

b.. 1.8 million children of disabled workers

c.. 900,000 disabled adult children

d.. 200,000 disabled widow(er)s.

Workers who pay Social Security taxes qualify for disability and

retirement benefits, and, if they die, their spouses and children receive

survivors' benefits. People with disabilities may receive Social Security's

retirement, survivors, and disability insurance benefits based on their work

history, age, or eligibility category.

Our Message: Social Security must continue to provide insurance

against poverty in retirement years and against disability that limits a

person's ability to work.

TAKE ACTION

Please help educate Members of Congress and the public about why

Social Security is so important by:

a.. Calling your Senators and Representatives at their home /

District offices. Please contact them during the Congressional recess that ends

on Tuesday, September 14.

b.. Attending any local events that they are holding in your area.

Check their individual websites for local events. Search for your Senators' web

pages at: www.senate.gov (at top right of page) and your representative's web

page at www.house.gov .

What to say:

a.. Social Security has been a critical foundation for families

for 75 years.

b.. Social Security's funding is not part of the deficit problem.

In fact, the Social Security trust funds have a surplus of $2.6 trillion for

paying future benefits. There is no need to cut Social Security benefits.

c.. Social Security is a promise made to all workers to provide a

guaranteed basic income when they retire, become disabled, or leave loved ones

behind. Please ensure that promise of Social Security will continue to be there

for people who work and pay into the system.

d.. Eleven million people with disabilities and their families,

about one third of recipients, rely on social security for their survival.

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