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Insider's Report: Max's Written Testimony Before House Committee
Ways and Means Committee preparing for its historic hearing on Representative John Larson's Social Security 2100 Act (seated in back row to left is Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Representative John Larson).
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National Committee president Max Richtman is urging the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee to boost Social Security — and keep the system financially sound for the rest of the century — as it takes up H.R. 860, the "Social Security 2100 Act." The bill, introduced by U.S. Representative John Larson (CT-01), received its first full committee hearing last week after years of inaction by the former House majority. In his written testimony to the committee, Max emphasized that the National Committee enthusiastically endorses the bill on behalf of its millions of members and supporters.
In his written testimony, Max stated:
"For years, our members have told us that they want and need their Social Security benefits boosted. They want fairer cost-of-living adjustments that reflect retirees' true living expenses. They want the wealthy to start paying their fair share in Social Security payroll contributions. And, because the program is so popular, even today's workers are willing to gradually pay more to guarantee that they and other future retirees receive their full earned benefits. The Social Security 2100 Act achieves all of that — and more.
Not only do our members support this bill, the American public has affirmed the principles that it embodies in poll after poll, across party lines and age groups. Meanwhile, the public has roundly rejected proposals for "reforming" Social Security, including privatization, raising the retirement age and imposing stingier COLA formulas.
H.R. 860 represents the consensus of an overwhelming majority of Americans to close Social Security’s modest funding gap and improve Social Security benefits. It strikes the right balance between the overall financial needs of the program and the specific needs that still exist for strengthening the protections that Social Security provides. Mr. Chairman, the National Committee supports the provisions included in H.R. 860 and proudly endorses it. We look forward to working with you and members of the committee to enact this commonsense legislation."
To read Max's full testimony submitted to the House committee, click here.
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Please consider making a donation now to help us keep the pressure on Congress. Your continued support is essential to the National Committee's mission of protecting your earned benefits.
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 Senate Victory!
Last week, the "Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act” (S. 1649), introduced by Senator Ron Wyden (OR), was passed with bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate. This important bill would prevent the federal government from garnishing Social Security benefits for the purpose of collecting debts that all too often were incurred years, even decades ago. It now goes to the House of Representatives, where we believe it will pass easily.
Since the inception of the Social Security program in 1935, the Social Security Act has provided strong protections against loss of retirement income through the garnishment or attachment of Social Security benefits for the purpose of recovering debts owed by retirees. For decades, the law has provided near iron-clad protection against impoverishment in old age due to debt collection.
Unfortunately, in 1996 the Congress reversed course by authorizing the garnishment of Social Security and other earned benefits for the purpose of collecting debts owed by seniors to the federal government. Figuring prominently in this matter is the recovery of student loan debts from seniors who are living on their all-too-modest monthly Social Security benefits. Once this bill is signed into law, it will help restore the historic protections that were once provided by Social Security against the spectacle of impoverishment.
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 Take Our Poll!
National Committee members and supporters have told us they support boosting Social Security benefits. And in poll after poll, the American public has affirmed their support for strengthening this program. The "Social Security 2100 Act" would improve current and future benefits and strengthen this program's solvency for decades in the future. Yet, it's up to Congress to put this bill on the floor for a vote.
That's why we want to know: Should the U.S. House of Representatives bring the "Social Security 2100 Act" to the floor for an up or down vote — and go on the record with voters about where they stand on boosting Social Security benefits?
Take our poll now!
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 Ask Us
Did you know that a team of experts in the field of Social Security policy is available to answer your questions about benefits? For 36 years, the National Committee has been helping thousands of our members and supporters with a broad range of concerns on Social Security.
Whether you're currently retired or approaching retirement, the National Committee's "Ask Us" section can help answer your questions about Social Security. You can either search our archives for valuable advice on a broad range of concerns at www.ncpssm.org/ask-us-recent/ or email your question to [email protected].
This week's question is: My husband and I both worked full time for many years and individually will qualify for close to a maximum benefit. Will we each be able to do that, or is there a maximum payment to married persons that is less than the total they would receive if they were not married?
Click here to read the answer.
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 Recent Headlines
Opinion: America's long-term care crisis is worsening (July 22, 2019, MarketWatch, Article by Max Richtman)
House Committee Considers Bill to Boost Social Security (July 25, 2019, www.ncpssm.org, Entitled to Know blog)
Lawmakers point to entitlements when asked about deficits (July 28, 2019, The Hill, Niv Elis)
Drug Cost Bill Advances but GOP Resistance Spells Trouble (July 25, 2019, The Hill, Associated Press)
Protect at All Costs: How the Maker of the World's Bestselling Drug Keeps Prices Sky-High (July 18, 2019, Forbes, Sy Mukherjee)
Pelosi aide: Major bill to lower drug prices coming in September (July 22, 2019, The Hill, Peter Sullivan)
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