AARP Idaho Serves Up Cake & Strong Message for Social Security's 75th B-Day

260,000 Idahoans Receive Benefits Each Year - AARP Urges Congress to Work to Keep it Strong for Future Generations

BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Social Security hits the diamond anniversary tomorrow, 75, and AARP Idaho threw a party to celebrate all the program has done for millions of Idahoans.  With a giant "Social Security" card cake, a crowd singing happy birthday to the program and games, the celebration also carried a very serious message for Congress: Strengthen Social Security for all Generations.  

As the debate in Washington, D.C. over the future of Social Security spreads to the rest of the nation, AARP Idaho reminded Congress that nearly 260,000 Idahoans depend on the program every year; without it 36% of the state's elderly would live in poverty.   Additionally the program pumps $270 million every month into Idaho's economy.

"75 years ago Social Security was signed into law – it has since become the bedrock of financial security for hardworking Idahoans.  Today, we're celebrating that," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho.  "But we've also got a very serious message for Congress: keep the program strong for our children and grandchildren."

Social Security in Idaho by the numbers:

• The program makes up 90% of income for nearly a quarter of the state's population
• Social Security accounts for 50% of family income for over half of Idaho's elderly
• $270 million is the monthly amount the program brings into Idaho in benefits.
• 36% of the state's population was kept out of poverty due to Social Security.

"In spite of the rhetoric and false assumptions, Social Security remains solid – and with the political will, we can keep it that way," added Wordelman.   "Right now as some are looking at cutting the program to reduce the deficit, our message is simple: Social Security didn't contribute one cent to the deficit, so why raid it to destroy future generation's financial stability? It's simply too critical a program to politicize."

The Social Security trust fund has assets of about $2.5 trillion, and it's still growing. That's enough to cover full benefits for over 27 years.  Without any changes, it can pay 100% of benefits until 2037 and more than 75% of benefits after that.   The program is self-financed and cannot legally spend more than it collects through payroll taxes, the taxation of benefits, and the assets in the Trust Fund.  

AARP is Idaho's largest membership organization with over 180,000 members.

Follow us on Twitter @AARPIdaho and Facebook: AARP Idaho

SOURCE AARP Idaho

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