Tammy’s Story: Fearing for the Future of Social Security

Tammy and her husband depend on Social Security to live; cuts or late payments pose the risk of jeopardizing their financial security. Tammy has worked several different jobs during her career, the longest being a telephone service representative. Unfortunately, after four back surgeries, it was clear Tammy would not be returning to the workforce.

It took her three attempts to get approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and she required an attorney to advocate for her rights. Tammy and her husband are now completely reliant on her SSDI and his Social Security retirement benefits for their income.

“If Social Security were late,” Tammy explains, “I’d probably have to call the bill collector and say the money is not there. Then I’d have to pay double what I normally would, like on a credit card or something similar. I’d have to play catch-up.”

With concerns regarding the future funding of Social Security, Tammy faces the terrifying possibility of losing the benefits she and her husband receive. If these funds were late, cut, or completely gone, it would have a devastating impact on Tammy and millions of other Americans who rely on Social Security to stay out of poverty.

Without Social Security, Tammy knows she would have to find work. But with her surgeries, this seems like an impossible option.

“My husband was talking about this the other day,” she says. “What would we do if Social Security were broke?”

There are many others in the Granite State and across America with stories like Tammy’s. Families who all echo the same question: What is going to happen? Now more than ever, support for Social Security is crucial. Tammy’s story sheds light on one of the millions of families that rely on this essential program to live.

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For AARP resources about Social Security, please visit www.aarp.org/social-security