CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE CO-SPONSORS LEGISLATION TO STRENTHEN, ENHANCE, AND ENSURE LONG-TERM VIABILITY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

(Washington, DC) – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle joined colleagues in the House to introduce the Social Security 2100 Act, which he co-sponsors. The legislation will strengthen Social Security benefits and cut taxes for senior citizens.

"A promise made should always be a promise kept. However, for too many Americans, the promise that Social Security represents is quickly fading away," said Rep. Morelle. "After a lifetime of hard work and paying into the system, every person deserves to enter their later years in life with the peace of mind and the knowledge that Social Security will be there for them. That is why I am proud to co-sponsor the Social Security 2100 Act because it takes immediate action to safeguard access and ensure the long-term viability of this essential program for generations to come."

With Social Security set to become insolvent by the year 2034, this legislation takes common-sense steps to increase benefits and ensure the system is financially secure through the year 2100 and beyond, including:

• An across-the-board benefit increase for current and new beneficiaries;
• An improved cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that takes into account the true costs incurred by seniors;
• A stronger minimum benefit, so someone who works their whole life does not retire into poverty;
• A tax cut for over 12 million Social Security recipients by eliminating the tax on their benefits

For two-thirds of beneficiaries, Social Security accounts for a majority of their income – and for one third, it provides 90 percent or more of their income. That is why it is critical to take the steps outlined in the Social Security 2100 Act to ensure the program remains solvent for those who depend on it.

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