Celebrating Social Security's 75th Anniversary

Statement

Dear Friend,

I marked the 75th anniversary of Social Security last week at two important events, where I was able to reflect upon and appreciate the importance of this landmark achievement in our great country's history. During both of these celebrations, I reaffirmed my unwavering support to keep our seniors and their families protected against financial hardships by keeping Social Security strong and intact for future generations to come.

First, I visited with a group of Hudson Valley seniors at the Monroe Senior Center, who were pleased to see the big "anniversary" cake that I presented to them--and eager to ask questions about Social Security. These seniors know that more than 50 million Americans rely on Social Security's guaranteed benefits for retirement security or to make ends meet, put food on the table and stay in their homes. Sixty percent of America's senior citizens, in fact, rely on Social Security for more than half their income, with the average benefit for a retiree standing at $14,000 a year.

In Monroe, the prevailing message from the seniors was loud and clear: Don't mess with Social Security. I have strongly opposed all efforts to privatize Social Security, needless to say; these risky schemes would divert trillions of dollars from the Social Security Trust Fund into private accounts and subject the basic retirement security of millions of workers to Wall Street's ups and downs. When only half of the workforce has a retirement plan at work--either a pension or saving--monkeying around with Social Security, which has no investment risk whatsoever, simply makes no sense at all.

Because Social Security payments can lag behind inflation, I recently co-sponsored in Congress the Seniors Protection Act of 2010 (H.R. 5987), a bill that would provide an extra $250 in relief to retirees and other Social Security recipients if it is determined there will be no cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 2011. It is my hope Congress takes up this measure soon.

On August 14, the actual 75th anniversary of "the most far-reaching social program in American history," I was pleased to attend the opening of a new exhibit, "Our Plain Duty: FDR and America's Social Security" at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY. Looking at the exhibit, it is easy to see that, in the wake of the current economic crisis, Social Security is more important than ever. Signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Social Security was created at a time when the American economy had crumbled and was struggling to recover. Pensions were almost non-existent, and a majority of seniors were unable to support themselves after retirement. Thanks to Social Security, millions of seniors today can live their lives with dignity and independence instead of poverty and despair.

If there is anything I can help you with, please do not hesitate to contact me by email or phone at my Goshen District Office, 845-291-4100 or my Carmel District Office, 845-808-1157. To learn more about my efforts on your behalf in Congress, please visit my website, my facebook page, or my YouTube page.

Sincerely,

John Hall

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