Social Security Benefits Need a Boost
Lately there’s been a lot of talk about the need to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour. Those who support such an increase say people can’t afford to live off of the current $7.25 per hour rate. A full-time worker earning minimum wage makes $15,080 per year, according to the Economic Policy Institute. So, why are America’s retirees, those people who already worked their whole lives to help this country, being forced to live off not much more? According to a Fox Business report, they simply can’t. The average senior receives only $1,543 a month, or $18,516 a year, in Social Security benefits.
The Social Security Expansion Act aims to change that. It calls for raising the average monthly benefit by $65. That’s not a huge amount but it’s a good start. The bill would also increase minimum Social Security benefits to provide higher payments to seniors who earned it – and it would greatly reduce senior poverty. That is something this country desperately needs.
Preventing Poverty
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Social Security lifts more Americans out of poverty than any other program. Without Social Security benefits, 37.8% of older Americans would have incomes below the poverty line.
The Seniors Trust believes American seniors who worked long, hard years faithfully contributing to the Social Security Trust Fund should NEVER be forced to sacrifice, pinch pennies, or go without basic necessities. That’s why it is working diligently to pass the Social Security Expansion Act and ensure seniors receive the benefits they earned and need.
Survey Says
We are not alone in this fight. A recent survey found that 98.2% of people polled believe Congress should expand Social Security benefits for all eligible senior citizens and 99.67% said Congress should pass the Social Security Expansion Act and give seniors a $65 monthly benefits increase. Do you agree? If so, please sign The Seniors Trust petition calling on Congress to immediately pass the Social Security Expansion Act.
