Social Security's 88th Birthday: Protect and Expand

Demanding that Social Security be protected and expanded, the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) joined with Rep John Larson on Monday and with the Dixwell Newhallville Seniors in New Haven on Thursday to enjoy birthday cakes and celebrate the 88^th year of Social Security and the 58^th year of Medicare.

“Social Security is a life line for thousands of retirees and needs to be preserved and strengthened,” said Bette Marafino, Connecticut ARA president, at the gathering of seniors at the Dixwell Q House.

In Connecticut 708,000 people depend on their earned Social Security benefits to make ends meet. Social Security contributes to at least half of the income of more than a third of beneficiaries 65 and older. Black residents over 65 disproportionately rely on Social Security for 90% of their income, reflecting discriminatory practices and lower wages when they were on the job.

Republican proposals to cut benefits, raise the retirement age and privatize the program for the benefit of corporate profiteers threaten to push millions of people into poverty. Larson, who represents Connecticut's first Congressional District, has joined with union and retiree organizations to introduce Social Security 2100 legislation that will expand benefits and secure Social Security into the future.

Speaking at the CSEA SEIU Local 2001 union hall in Hartford, Larson emphasized that “for 88 years, Social Security has been a promise between generations, a promise that you can retire with dignity after a lifetime of hard work. I am proud to join in support of protecting and expanding this program for years to come!”

The landmark Social Security 2100 Act Larson introduced with Rep. Jahana Hayes and 200 co-sponsors in June “will provide an across-the-board benefit increase for all recipients, ensure benefits better reflect seniors’ expenses, repeal the WEP/GPO that penalizes public servants, cut taxes for 23 million beneficiaries, and extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund by asking those making more than $400,000 a year to finally pay their fair share,” he said.

The historic victory won in 1935 establishing Social Security took a prolonged fight including huge marches on Washington DC during the Great Depression. That same all-out unity in action is needed today to defeat extremist right-wing attempts to destroy Social Security and to pass new legislation that makes billionaires pay taxes like everyone else to secure and expand Social Security