New York AARP Takes Fight to Strengthen Social Security to their Congress Members

Press Release, Mar 28, 2005

Albany, NY -- Today, armed with a poll showing that GenXers join the 50 plus crowd in opposing private accounts carved out of Social Security, New York AARP members are fanning out across the state to urge their Congressional representatives to work to strengthen Social Security. The national AARP poll finds that once they learn the facts and consequences of putting private accounts into effect, a majority of young Americans (ages 18-39) no longer support the proposal.

Bringing attention to the poll by delivering it to Congressional district offices throughout New York State is the latest component of AARP's grass roots activities during the current Congressional recess, which ends April 1. The activities are aimed at getting Congress to focuses on strengthening Social Security. The latest poll is significant, as the younger age groups are generally viewed as open to private accounts in Social Security. Prior AARP polls have shown that people of all ages reject the idea of private accounts when faced with the trade- offs.

"Hopefully, our members of Congress will get the message -- private accounts that drain money out of Social Security are a bad deal for all of their constituents," said Lois Aronstein, AARP New York State Director. "All age groups, young and old, stand united in opposition to these risky plans."

According to the poll, most Americans in the 18 to 39 age group say they oppose private accounts if it could mean cuts to their guaranteed Social Security benefits (70 percent say they would oppose) or that diverting some Social Security payroll taxes means "massive new federal debt in order to pay current benefits" (63 percent say they would oppose). The transition costs for private accounts are an estimated $2 trillion.

"We'll continue with our efforts in New York and across the nation to strengthen Social Security with modest changes and ensure that we leave our children and grandchildren with a strong, guaranteed benefit," added Aronstein.

In New York State, Social Security provides benefits to over three million people, including retired workers, widows and widowers, disabled workers and children. According to the 2003 Census, over 2.1 million of those Social Security beneficiaries in New York were over age 65. Social Security remains the primary source of retirement for most Americans. In fact, sixty percent of today's retirees rely on Social Security for more than half of their income. In many low-income households of retirement age, Social Security is virtually the only source of retirement income.