Women and families depend on Social Security. Don’t let Congress cut this critical program.

You know that the budget talks in Washington are heating up. But you may not have heard that Social Security cuts are on the table.

That’s because they’re not talking openly about cutting Social Security. Instead, they’re saying that they are making a technical change in the way the cost-of-living adjustment is calculated for federal programs like Social Security.

But this is a stealth benefit cut that would mean insecurity for all Social Security recipients, especially women. And, because the cut would grow deeper the longer you receive benefits, it would especially hurt women, who live longer than men, rely more on income from Social Security, and are already more likely to be poor.

Women can’t afford cuts to Social Security benefits because:

• The average Social Security benefit for women 65 and older is just $12,000 per year.
• Without Social Security, half of women 65 and older would be poor.
• This cut would especially hurt the oldest and poorest beneficiaries, who are overwhelmingly women.

Women and their families shouldn’t bear the brunt of deficit reduction—and time is running out. Tell your Members of Congress and the Administration that Social Security and programs vital to low-income families must be protected – and millionaires and corporations must contribute to any deficit reduction plan. Demand Fair Change, Not Spare Change™ in the budget debate.

Sincerely,

Joan Entmacher Vice President, Family Economic Security National Women’s Law Center

P.S. Want to know more about this stealth Social Security benefit cut? Check out our blog.