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AARP AARP States North Carolina Voters

Domino tournament helps highlight the need to "Take a Stand"

At the AARP sponsored domino tournament at the Puerto Rican Festival in Charlotte, Associate State Director for Hispanic Outreach Leo Scarpati said, "When it comes to your financial security, don't leave it up to a game of chance."

Scarpati and AARP volunteers were sharing information about the importance of Social Security and how the Presidential candidates are sharing their ideas for its future through AARP's " Take a Stand" campaign website.

Scarpati said, "Dominos is a game of numbers, but for many who are thinking about retirement, the numbers don't quite add up."

He was referring to the fact that personal savings are at historic lows while people are living longer. Social Security is the only source of income in retirement for the majority of people in the state.

With hundreds of people coming to the AARP tent at the festival to cool off from the heat, Scarpati said that the thousands of petitions AARP has been collecting from voters across the state demanding more talk and leadership on Social Security will certainly put some heat on those running for federal office.

He noted that keeping the program solvent so it pays 100 percent of its promised benefits, requires simple changes today that will be much easier than kicking the can down the road. However, he conceded that those changes will require strong leadership, one big reason why AARP has targeted the Presidential candidates for the campaign.  For many older voters, Social Security will be one of their defining voting issues this November.

Hispanic voters will take on a larger role than ever before. According to Democracy NC, Latinos make up nearly 9% of North Carolina’s 9.7 million people, ranking the state 11th nationally and 3rd in the Southeast (after Florida and Georgia) for the total number of Latino residents. From 2000 to 2012, the Hispanic population in North Carolina more than doubled to more than 830,000.

This population group is more reliant on Social Security having earned less and saved less than others. They are also less likely to have workplace savings plans like 401Ks and pensions.

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AARP members and guests having fun at a domino tournament at the Puerto Rican Festival in Charlotte



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Armando and William Lopez were the tournament winners taking home customized domino tables



That is why, according to Scarpati, "many want to make sure the money they paid into the program is there for them. Most importantly, with families so important to this community, many want to make sure the program stays strong for future generations."

 

 

 

 

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