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Preserving Social Security

 
Social Security is a contract between the seniors.jpg (46714 bytes)                                                                     American people and the American government. It reflects the duties and values we share as Americans. We owe it to our grandparents, our parents, ourselves, and most importantly, our children to ensure its vitality. Preserving the Social Security system for future generations is one of my top priorities in Congress. I have cosponsored several bills that would help Social Security beneficiaries all across America.
 
          Social Security Benefits Fairness Act - This measure would allow benefits to be paid to a surviving spouse for the month the other spouse dies. Under current law, no Social Security benefits are paid to beneficiaries or their families for the month of death. For example, should a husband die before midnight on the last day of the month, no benefits will be sent to the surviving spouse for that month, and if a check has already been sent, by law it must be returned. Under this bill I am supporting, a surviving spouse or family estate would receive one-half of a month's benefits if a person dies within the first fifteen days of a month, and full benefits if a person dies after the fifteenth.

          Windfall Elimination Provision - This bill would eliminate the windfall benefit provision in the Social Security Act. The current windfall benefit provision reduces the Social Security benefits of workers who also have pension benefits from employment not covered by Social Security. This provision is unfair because it substantially reduces a benefit that workers had included in their retirement plans. This bill would eliminate this disparity and protect Social Security benefits.

          In addition, I support:

  • using surpluses to pay down the federal debt because this action will help save Social Security;
  • creating new points of order against bills that would dip into "off-budget" surpluses, which consist almost entirely of Social Security;
  • repealing the Social Security earnings test, allowing seniors between the ages of 65 to 69 to work without losing their Social Security benefits; and
  • creating a fair and modern Social Security program for the 21st century that recognizes the need to ensure equal treatment to all Americans, including women, minorities, low-income workers, individuals with disabilities, and dependents.

          As a member of the Congressional Social Security Caucus and the Older Americans Caucus, I will continue to work in Congress to ensure that Social Security will be solvent for generations to come.

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