AARP asking candidates to Take a Stand on the future of Social Security

AARP North Carolina launched its’ 2016 election accountability campaign called Take a Stand demanding on behalf of all voters that the Presidential and Congressional candidates clearly state their plans to update Social Security.

According to AARP North Carolina President Robert Palombo, “Social Security is a vital part of our retirement security and is among the priority issues for older voters.”

The most recent Social Security Trustees Report projects program costs to rise by 2035 so that current Social Security taxes will be enough to pay for only 75 percent of scheduled benefits. But to people like Palombo, that’s not good enough.

According to AARP’s Public Policy Institute, one-out-of-every five North Carolinians receives Social Security with an estimated 1.9 million beneficiaries in the state. Social Security not only provides monthly benefits to retired workers, but to families when the worker dies, retires or becomes disabled. In North Carolina, 51 percent of the state’s 65 plus population would have incomes below the poverty level without Social Security.

“If our leaders don’t act, future retirees could lose up to $10,000 a year in benefits they’ve earned. The longer they wait , the harder the problem will be to solve and the less time workers will have to prepare for the future,” Palombo said.

Without taking any sides on the issue, AARP volunteers across North Carolina will be pressing the candidates everywhere they appear about their specific plans to strengthen Social Security and how they intend to get the job done. Through advertising, social media, grassroots outreach and AARP publications, Take a Stand will reach well over one-million North Carolina AARP members and their families.

Palombo added, “Voters ages 50 and over cast ballots at a much higher percentages than younger voters and they want to know how the candidates intend to lead the way to strengthening the program for future generations. We need to ensure that people who work hard and pay in get the Social Security benefits they’ve paid for.”

To make sure voters have the information they need before North Carolina primary voting, AARP is directing people to the Take a Stand website www.2016takeastand.org. AARP members are also meeting with Congressional candidates to inquire about their plans. All Social Security plans put forward by the Presidential candidates are posted on the website, and AARP is tracking candidates’ daily statements on Social Security on the website as well.

AARP North Carolina Director Doug Dickerson said members want the answers to two questions, “What will you do to make Social Security stronger for future generations and how will you get it done?”

With North Carolina being a battleground state, AARP intends to demand that candidates discuss their plans in front of voters through the course of many expected campaign stops in the state,” added Dickerson.

The nonpartisan AARP does not support or oppose any political candidates, nor contribute any money to political action committees, campaigns or super PACs.

Below are links to several advertisements North Carolina voters will see:

https://www.youtu be.com/watch?v=LlGGOYLz3gc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHnOwOt0Cuw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdu-j78661I