A Landmark Program Turns 75

In August, Social Security turns 75. Today, more than one million Massachusetts residents, 53 million nationwide, count on Social Security – as retired workers, disabled workers, and spouses or children of deceased workers. But, while the nation celebrates this American success story, some politicians say the growing federal deficit should be reduced by cutting the Social Security benefits that workers have earned.

AARP Massachusetts recently held Community Conversations to hear, firsthand, from Social Security recipients – and spotlight how Social Security helps families. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-2nd) was among the first to share his personal experience.

Economic security for millions

As the child of deceased workers, Rep. Neal benefited directly from Social Security at a young age. During an AARP Community Conversation in Agawam, he told the group, “For many years, I have fought hard to protect Social Security from being cut or privatized. As someone who grew up on Social Security survivor benefits, I personally know how this program provides economic security for millions of hard working men and women. Nearly 75 years ago, President Franklin Roosevelt made a pledge to the American people that they would not grow old in poverty. As we celebrate that historic anniversary today, let us remember Roosevelt’s vision, and rededicate ourselves to the promise he made to our nation’s seniors in 1935.”

Evolving to meet changing needs

For 75 years, Social Security has provided a guaranteed inflation-protected retirement benefit Americans can count on. Over the decades, Social Security has evolved to meet the changing needs of the day: extending benefits to spouses and children of deceased workers, and to disabled workers; offering early retirement benefits; adding cost of living adjustments (COLA) so benefits can keep up with inflation.

Keep Social Security Strong

“Bottom line: Social Security hasn’t contributed one dime to our nation’s deficit, so benefits shouldn’t be cut to fix it,” said Deborah Banda, state director of AARP Massachusetts, which represents more than 800,000 members age 50 and older in the Bay State. “That said, the deficit does threaten our economy and the financial security of future generations; it must be addressed. But,” she added, “instead of targeting Social Security for cuts, Congress should cut waste, close tax loopholes, and crack down on pork-barrel spending.”

AARP believes, and is working hard to ensure: … Back to Article