Register Citizen - Elizabeth Esty visits with Torrington seniors

News Article

By Amanda Webster

Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty visited Torrington Tuesday morning to discuss a new bill designed to help people who receive Social Security benefits.

Esty made two stops during her trip in the city. Her first stop was at the Social Security Office at 147 Litchfield St. She made a point to thank the employees in the office for their work.

"You've been enormously responsive and helpful," Esty said.

Esty also stopped at the Sullivan Senior Center to talk with seniors about the proposed Social Security 2100 Act and illicit feedback from local beneficiaries of Social Security.

"We're in the midst of budget in the U.S. Congress and there have been a number of big issues around Medicare and Social Security," Esty said.

The Social Security 2100 Act was authored by Connecticut Congressman John Larson and is co-sponsored by Esty.

The bill would cut taxes for beneficiaries of Social Security. According to release from Esty's office, Social Security benefits are taxed if an individual has non-Social Security income that exceeds $25,000 or if a couple has income that exceeds $32,000. The Social Security 2100 Act would change the taxable income amount to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per couple.

Additionally, the new minimum benefit would be set at 25 percent above the poverty line, according to the release.

As of now, payroll taxes are not collected on wages that are over $117,000, according to the release. The bill would apply the payroll tax to wages above $400,000.

"There would be a very slight increase on taxes for those earning more than $400,000 a year to ensure that the system is in place for not just you, not just your children but for your grandchildren and for a long time into the future," she said.

Bill Tyszka, of Simsbury, expressed his frustration to the congresswoman about people who do not support Medicare or Social Security.

"It's such an important part of our lives," Tyszka said.

Esty said she is hopeful the bill will pass sometime soon.

"I'm a strong advocate for the program and I want you to know that I'm going to continue working hard to make sure that that's there," she said.

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