Social Security Lobby Day

Rep. David Schweikert’s Office – Fifth District

July 28th, 2011

Members of Phoenix/Scottsdale NOW and representatives from AZ. Retired Americans gathered with Rep. David Schweikert’s staff to celebrate the 76th birthday of Social Security.  P/S NOW used this opportunity to emphasize that any disruptive tinkering with the benefit structure of Social Security will disproportionately harm women and we intend to “fight back” against these punitive proposals.  We must not balance the nation’s budget on the backs of women.

Women typically earn less than men, work fewer years, have less in savings, and receive smaller pensions.  Social Security is essential to their retirement security.  Today, almost one in four women 65 and older, along with 40% of older African-American and Hispanic women, have incomes below 150% of the poverty level.  The average monthly Social Security check for women is only approximately $1,000 and fully ½ of women aged 65 and older rely on Social Security for at least 80% of their income.  The kinds of changes being discussed during this tumultuous debt reduction debate will have a devastating impact on the lives of women.  Women, people of color and people with disabilities, are being asked to take one for the team.

Our message to Rep. Schweikert and the Obama administration is: leave Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and other essential programs alone and out of the debt deal.  We will be watching!