AARP Helps Connecticut Residents Have Their Say

See Also: You’ve Earned A Say

We believe when it comes to the future of Social Security and Medicare, you’ve earned a say. And even though Washington may not be listening, AARP is.

AARP launched You’ve Earned a Say in March 2012 as a way to take the debate about Medicare and Social Security out from behind closed doors in Washington and give ordinary citizens a voice in the discussion about their future. To date, AARP has conducted listening tours in all 50 states and has heard from over 2 million Americans, including more than 10,000 Connecticut residents, both in-person and through online questionnaires.

This summer, AARP Connecticut is hosting a second series of Community Forums in local cities in Connecticut and asking state residents to share their ideas and concerns about various options being discussed to reform Social Security and Medicare.

According to AARP Connecticut Advocacy Director, John Erlingheuser, “You’ve Earned a Say is all about listening to our member’s and the public’s concerns and ideas about the future of Social Security and Medicare, and making sure their voices are heard by our elected leaders in Washington. Our upcoming forums are a great way for people to learn more about the options being discussed by politicians, candidates and policy experts and how the changes could impact them and their families, without all the partisan spin and rhetoric.”

AARP commissioned experts from The Heritage Foundation, The Brookings Institute, The National Academy for Social Insurance and Avalere Health to analyze 12 options for reforming Social Security and 15 options for reforming Medicare and provide the pros and cons for each in straightforward language, without political spin or jargon.

The site also includes a questionnaire, fact sheets, and interactive tools that let individuals try their hand at filling the funding gap. It also gives visitors the option to send a message to their member of Congress and the presidential candidates.

Of the more than 10,000 Connecticuters who have responded to AARP’s questionnaire to date, 86 percent said they believe that Medicare and Social Security will need some combination of more funding or benefit changes. The majority of respondents (58 percent) think Social Security is OK as is or needs only minor changes, while 54 percent feel the same about Medicare. Only 18 percent of respondents believe Social Security is in immediate crisis and only 14 percent believe Medicare is in immediate crisis.

Connecticut residents can make their voices heard by attending one of the local events, or by filling out a questionnaire and sending a message to their elected representatives online at www.earnedasay.org.

To RSVP for an upcoming event, please call 1-877-926-8300 or register online.