WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Seniors Center has delivered letters to members of the 116th United States Congress urging them to sign the #KeepOurTrust Pledge and declare their commitment to fixing Social Security's long-term funding shortfall, as well as commit that Social Security taxes are spent only on Social Security benefits.
"This is our first big step forward," said Dan Perrin, President of The Seniors Center. "Our members are contacting their representatives personally, and we've given each of them the opportunity to consider the Pledge and join us in fighting for retirees."
The Seniors Center has written to every member of the United States Senate and House of Representatives introducing the #KeepOurTrust campaign and its mission to protect Social Security beneficiaries via meaningful Social Security reform legislation.
The letter includes a physical copy of the #KeepOurTrust Pledge, a document that affirms each member of Congress' dedication to passing legislation that ensures Social Security taxes are exclusively used to fund Social Security benefits and provides a solution to the funding crisis projected to affect beneficiaries by 2034.
The Social Security Trustees currently estimate that in 15 years, without legislative intervention, Social Security benefits will be permanently reduced by 25%.
"The reality is the majority of Social Security beneficiaries depend their benefits for half or more of their total yearly income. There are thousands of people relying on Social Security completely," Perrin explained. "We're not talking about a small reduction here—for these people, that quarter is the difference between survival and total poverty. A 25% benefit cut is out of the question."
"We've asked our supporters—most of whom are retirees and beneficiaries—through our surveys whether or not they can afford to lose a quarter of their monthly benefits. Ninety-six percent of them told us there's no way," said Perrin.
Terry Knebel, a #KeepOurTrust advocate and soon-to-be-retiree, agreed, adding there should be no reason for beneficiaries to face an uncertain financial future.
"Do the math," said Knebel. "What my employers and I paid into Social Security at a 5% return should pay my benefits until my life expectancy at age 80. Congress needs to understand how the process works."
In the coming weeks, The Seniors Center will mobilize their supporters to engage in different grassroots activities in their districts supporting the #KeepOurTrust Pledge. Thousands of our supporters have reached out directly to their Senators and Representatives since the campaign began.
"We're very optimistic," said Perrin. "What we're asking for can be achieved a number of ways and it's something every member of Congress can support. Taking this Pledge signals to the public, 'I'm going to do more than just talk about fixing Social Security—I'm going to do it.' We're hoping many of them will jump at the chance to be one of the first who added their names and showed their support."
The Seniors Center will announce each Pledge-signer on their website at KeepOurTrust.org. Supporters and visitors will be able to view each member of Congress and how and when they were contacted, so the public can keep track of #KeepOurTrust Pledge campaign progress and hold each member accountable.
To learn more about the #KeepOurTrust campaign and pledge, visit KeepOurTrust.org.
The Seniors Center is a program of Our Generation, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.
SOURCE The Seniors Center
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