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IWPR's Women and Social Security Alert (WomenSSA)
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EMAIL ALERT ON WOMEN AND SOCIAL SECURITY (No. 44)
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March 2012
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The Women and Social Security Email Alert produced by the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) provides women-oriented information on and analysis of proposed changes in Social Security, up-to-date developments in the debate, and current research and statistics. The alert also includes announcements of key activities on Social Security, especially those of special interest to women. This e-mail alert is part of IWPR's mission to keep women's concerns at the center of current policy debates.
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ITEMS IN THIS ALERT
In the News
- Cooper-LaTourette Budget Proposal Failed House Vote by 382-38
- AFL-CIO Executive Council Voices Objection to Cutting Social Security Benefits and Support for Increasing Them
New Research
- WOW: Doing Without: Economic Insecurity and Older Americans
- WOW: Economic Insecurity and Older Women
Action Alerts
- National Council on Aging
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IN THE NEWS
Cooper-LaTourette Budget Proposal Failed House Vote by 382-38
On March 28, 2012, the US House of Representatives voted down a budget plan proposed by Representatives Jim Cooper and Steve LaTourette. While this plan was seen by some as comparable to the Bowles-Simpson budget proposal from 2010, it had less new revenue from tax increases, as well as higher cuts to domestic spending and fewer defense cuts. The proposal also included changing Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) formula to the chained CPI (which would result in benefit cuts) and raising the wage cap on income subject to the payroll tax, Social Security's source of funding.
AFL-CIO Executive Council Voices Objection to Cutting Social Security Benefits and Support for Increasing Them
On March 14, 2012, the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO released a statement supporting across-the-board benefit increases to Social Security and a COLA that accounts for older people's higher health care costs. The Executive Council also stated their opposition to any benefit cuts. The AFL-CIO Executive Council's function is to oversee the work of the AFL-CIO. Its top officers are Richard Trumka (President), Liz Shuler (Secretary-Treasurer), and Arlene Holt Baker (Executive Vice President).
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NEW RESEARCH
WOW: Doing Without: Economic Insecurity and Older Americans
March 2012
Using 2010 American Community Survey data, this report finds that 52% of elder-only households aged 65 and older do not have incomes large enough to cover basic expenses, as determined by the Elder Economic Security Standard. It also reports that elder women are more likely to face economic insecurity than elder men. Disparities also exist across race, household composition, and other factors.
WOW: Economic Insecurity and Older Women
February 2012
As part of WOW's series of economic briefs, this table presents the state rankings of economic security gaps by states. The data show that the typical fully retired, single elder American who is a renter falls short of economic security in every state. Economic security is defined by WOW as the "income level at which seniors have sufficient incomes . . . to cover basic and necessary living expenses without public supports, such as food assistance, energy assistance or subsidized housing."
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ACTION ALERTS
National Council on Aging
Bring the voices of older adults to Congress.
Join the NCOA to protect older Americans.
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In January 2005, just as the debate on Social Security reform was getting underway, we launched the IWPR Women and Social Security Alert (WomenSSA). According to the positive feedback we received from you – our colleagues, our members, and advocates on this issue – this special alert system has proven to be a comprehensive resource in helping you to stay at the forefront of this topic and its effect on women. Please help us continue to produce this beneficial resource by contributing to our special Women and Social Security Alert Fund today! With your help, we will ensure the continued distribution of this important information on Social Security reform and those most affected – women. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE NOW!
Women and Social Security Alert
Institute for Women's Policy Research
e-mail: socialsecurity@iwpr.org
phone: (202) 785-5100
web: http://www.iwpr.org/initiatives/social-security
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