FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE— June 17, 2011

‘Social Security Must Be Fixed’

 AARP Feels Social Security Heat 

ATLANTA— “It has taken citizen and political pressure, as well as thousands of members leaving the AARP since 2009 to join the American Seniors Association, for that left-wing organization to finally drop its longtime opposition to Social Security reform through reasonable benefit cuts,” says Phil Kent, CEO of the American Seniors Association (ASA) representing millions of members nationwide.

“The AARP has always ducked this tough problem and attacked former President George W. Bush and lawmakers and organizations that tried to propose meaningful reform-- even though delaying a Social Security fix will cause deeper cuts in benefits or greater tax hikes down the road. The AARP loves tax increases-- look at its unwavering support of expensive Obamacare-- but doing something to address the looming Social Security insolvency now is important for all Americans. ASA appreciates that even the AARP now seems to understand this priority, based on media reports today,” Kent says.

 “A good starting point for reform is an initial proposal by U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Mike Lee, R-Utah that would gradually increase the early and normal retirement ages and gradually reduce benefits for the highest income retirees. Since the Obama administration offers no reform ideas, we hope the AARP would agree with the ASA that the proposal by these senators is a good starting point to craft permanent legislation that could pass bipartisan muster,” Kent says.

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www.americanseniors.org