AARP: It’s time to ‘Take a Stand’ on Social Security

It’s hard to believe, but Election Day is right around the corner — and the candidates are hunting for your vote. But as they roll out the same speeches and soundbites about important issues like the future of Social Security, it seems like many have forgotten what’s really at stake here: Your money, your future, and the futures of your children and grandchildren.

Social Security is one of the most important programs in our nation, holding the health, happiness and well-being for people of all ages. As people become older and are living longer, they are more likely to outlive other forms of retirement income. The Social Security program not only provides monthly benefits to retired workers, but also to families when the worker retires, dies or becomes disabled.

With the nation’s highest percentage of residents age 65-plus, Florida has a huge stake in the future of Social Security. More than 4.2 million Floridians receive Social Security income and without it, 46 percent of the state’s 65-plus population would have incomes below the poverty line. In addition, the program funnels more than $5.1 billion per month into Florida’s economy.

AARP’s national accountability campaign “Take a Stand” is well underway in Florida, and our staff and volunteers are working hard to pressure candidates into telling voters how they would update Social Security for the 21st century and keep the promise for future generations. We want our leaders to make Social Security a priority and to put serious proposals on the table. If lawmakers fail to take action, Social Security benefits could be reduced by 25 percent by 2034, and future retirees could lose up to $10,000 a year in benefits.

“Our AARP Florida Take a Stand staff and volunteers are working diligently across the state, fighting to ensure that hardworking Floridians get the Social Security benefits they’ve earned,” Lance Orchid AARP Florida Take a Stand field director said. “Every year our leaders wait and do nothing, finding a solution grows more difficult. If we want things to change, it’s on us to work together and make a difference.”

With the election only just a few short months away, things are really starting to heat up right here in Florida, and it’s our turn to keep the pressure on. Are you ready to take action and do your part?  With offices across the state, there are more ways than one for you to get involved. We are looking for potential volunteers who could help us “Take a Stand” by:

— Attending a local open house
— Participating in a member-to-member outreach
— Hosting a coffee/event in their local neighborhood
— Writing a letter to the editor or local official
— Attending a presidential and congressional candidate event

And much more!

Join us as we continue down this journey to Social Security solvency. Together, we can make history. Our doors are always open for you, so visit one of our offices today.

St. Petersburg
400 Carillon Pkwy, #100
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Contact: Chris Chase at [email protected]

Orlando
940 Centre Circle, Suite 2000
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
Contact: Roger Harris at [email protected]

Broward
5725 S. University Drive
Davie, FL 33328
Contact: Sergio Cantu at [email protected]

For more information about Take a Stand, visit takeastand.AARP.org or join our campaign by signing up here. You can also tweet to us @AARPFL and follow us on our Facebook page.