Wanda Powe
Project Chairman
(AFSC – FRC) American Federation of Senior Citizens
(P.O. Box 96414, Washington, D.C. 20090-6414)
Explanation of Proposed Benefit Changes
[12-27-2013 letter] Since 2014 may bring major changes to Social
Security benefits, enclosed you will find an Explanation of Proposed Benefit Changes currently
being discussed. I have enclosed an informed Consent Card indicating that these
changes to your Social Security have been fully explained to you as AFSC
understands them and you fully understand these changes.
You
have 12 days to sign both forms and return them to the American Federation of
Senior Citizens... Your A.F.S.C. believes this is so important that we are
collecting both documents and returning them to Congress for immediate
attention. I cannot guarantee that you will be given another opportunity to
sign these documents.
This
is your opportunity to read the projected changes and indicate whether or not
you are authorizing the proposed changes or if you want Congress to take action
to protect your benefits. As a current Social Security beneficiary... you are
being requested to respond within the next 12 days.
There is some sense of urgency since
cuts to your Social Security are currently pending and legislation is currently being
considered that would:
• Restrict the
retirement age for people to collect benefits;
• Eliminate
Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA);
• Use means of
testing to determine who "needs" Social Security;
• Eliminate
the program entirely.
At this point as you may know Social
Security is operating in the red,
with more benefits being paid out to retirees than workers paying into the
system... this, combined with the fact that the Social Security Trust Fund is
no longer available makes it clear that your benefits are in jeopardy.
I do
not have to tell you that America is in an economic crisis. And some people here in Washington want to use
your Social Security money to bail out the federal governments bad
decisions.
That
is why I must warn you about what is about to happen here in Washington. And what you must do to protect yourself and your
financial future. Please stay with me as I tell you your options because I know
how difficult this must be for you.
First,
each year you are supposed to receive a Cost of Living Adjustment [COLA]. This
was done for you so your Social Security check would keep up with inflation...
and your purchasing power would remain steady.
But
now Washington is seriously considering
cutting back or eliminating the Cost of Living Adjustment. This will have
two immediate results that I believe you can ill afford.
First,
your check will not keep up with inflation and you will have less to spend on
food or medicine each month. Second, as the months and years go by your check
will automatically shrink.
And
now for some even more bad news. The
budget cutters and Social Security haters even have more radical ideas that
will not only devastate your Social Security but destroy your way of life.
Sit
down, take a deep breath and just listen to what these people want to put you
through. Their first program is to "means
test Social Security." That means if these faceless Washington bureaucrats decide you have too much money your
Social Security will be reduced or maybe even eliminated.
I
have seen their plan and it is nothing less than a total assault on you and all
you have worked for your entire life. If you have saved money
or if you want to leave an inheritance to a loved one... the federal government
can say that you do not need Social Security because you are too rich.
Even after you have paid into the system your entire
life. I hate to be the one to tell
you this but I feel I must warn you... So you can stop it.
Because the last
proposal of these Social Security haters is to eliminate the program completely. That would be the final and fatal blow to all of America's seniors.
The Washington bureaucrats and Social Security hawks must be stopped
now because if they have their way you will face a Social Security crisis.
Now
that I have explained to you the dire straits that Social Security is in and
the crisis that you face I hope you are ready to take action to protect
yourself.
I
need you right now to sign and return to
me the Explanation of Proposed Benefit Changes with your acceptance or
rejection of each proposed change. It is crucial that you let Congress know
where you stand. There are nine proposed changes to your Social Security. I
must know which you accept and which you reject.
In
addition I have sent you your Informed
Consent Card that states that the American Federation of Senior Citizens of
the changes that the United States Congress is considering. Please sign that
card and mail it back to me with your Explanation
of Proposed Benefit Changes.
This
is crucial so that when I go to Congress on your behalf I can not only tell the
appropriate Congressman and Senators of your position but that you have been
told all the pertinent facts to make an wise and lasting decision...
Sincerely,
Wanda
Powe, Project Chairman
[Please request for Explanation of Proposed
Benefit Changes and Informed Consent Card (AFSC – FRC, P.O. Box 96414, Washington, D.C. 20090-6414)!]
-- Urgent Reply
to Wanda Powe, Project Chairman --
Wanda,
I
have worked a lifetime paying into Social Security and deserve my benefits. I
have filled out the Explanation of Proposed Benefit Changes and the Informed
Consent Card for you to use on Capitol Hill. I am also rushing my generous
donation to help rescue Social Security in the amount of:
210
NORTH PATRICK STREET,
ALEXANDRIA,
VA
22314
PHONE: (703) 548-1708
American Federation of Senior Citizens is project of the Federation of
Responsible Citizens. Because the FRC lobbies Congress on behalf of Americans,
your donation is not deductible for federal income tax purposes.
********************
(Sample)
Informed Consent Card
Registered Social Security
Beneficiary:
__________________________________________
First Middle I. Last
City/State:__________________________________
Please check to indicate that you have been informed
of proposed changes to your Social Security benefits:
[ ] I have been informed
about proposed changes to my Social Security benefits.
[ ] I have clearly indicated
what changes are authorized by me. I want this Congress to protect and
guarantee my benefits instead of looking for ways to cut those benefits.
Signature:________________________________
Date:______/______/______
********************
(Sample)
Explanation of Proposed Benefit Changes
Currently Social Security is
taking in less revenue than it is paying out to beneficiaries. The Social
Security Trust Fund will be totally exhausted in just a few short years. At
that point there will be only enough income to pay for about 77% of the
benefits scheduled to be paid out.
The projected shortfall will
affect 20% of the population who will be receiving Social Security benefits
forcing many into poverty.
What this means is Congress
is right now considering the following actions. Please check the box for all of
those you accept or reject these proposals.
Raising the retirement age right now.
( ) ACCEPT ( ) REJECT
Raising the retirement age in the next few years.
( ) ACCEPT ( ) REJECT
Cutting
current Social Security benefits.
( ) ACCEPT ( ) REJECT
Freezing
Cost of Living Cost of Living Adjustments for several years.
( ) ACCEPT ( ) REJECT
Drastically
cutting Cost of Living Adjustments.
( ) ACCEPT ( ) REJECT
Forcing
seniors to pay higher taxes on Social Security.
( ) ACCEPT ( ) REJECT
Means
testing all seniors to see if they "deserve" Social Security.
( ) ACCEPT ( ) REJECT
The
elimination of the entire Social Security program to pay for the federal
deficit.
( ) ACCEPT ( ) REJECT
Congress
taking action to shore up Social Security so that it is available for this and
future generations.
( ) ACCEPT ( ) REJECT
Please sign below to indicate
that you authorize any and all above that are checked.
Signature:________________________________
Date:______/______/______