Social Security is under attack like never before — with Donald Trump and Elon Musk indiscriminately firing workers who keep the program running, closing down offices, and risking backdoor cuts if people can’t access benefits.
That would break an iron-clad, take-it-to-the-bank promise that America makes to workers: After you pay in, paycheck after paycheck, over a lifetime of hard work, you’ll get that money back to help you retire. That’s the deal.
So of course we shouldn’t be cutting Social Security services and threatening Americans’ benefits — instead, we should be making the program stronger.
People are struggling with sky-high prices while their retirement savings are evaporating. We need a temporary increase in benefits right now to give people some relief — and I’ve got a plan for that. We should also protect the long-term security of the system by lifting the cap on the amount millionaires and billionaires pay into Social Security, which would also yield enough money to permanently expand benefits — and I’m supporting a bill to get that done.
Look, Social Security shouldn’t be a partisan issue.
It was first created by a nearly unanimous vote of members of Congress from both parties.
People in red states and blue states are seeing long lines at offices, long waits on the phone, and website crashes — which means Democrats and Republicans alike should be able to band together to fight for Social Security, and keep our promises to Americans who earned their benefits over a lifetime of hard work. But right now, Congressional Republicans seem to have their hands full trying to slash taxes for the rich.
We’ve got to fight for Social Security — and one of the best ways is to tell your story about what it means to you. Make this issue feel real to anyone who needs a wake-up call. Make it plain that the American people are counting on our government to hold up its end of the deal.
I asked this community to share your experiences about Social Security, and hundreds of you wrote in. I’ve shared a few below — they are gut-wrenching — and I’m asking you to spread them, too. Forward this email to a friend, post these quotes to social media, or read them out loud to a loved one. It’s how we expose the true potential harms of the Trump-Musk agenda.
And send me your story about Social Security — I’d love to hear from you.
I worked 45 years to get Social Security. That is my money, not the government. SSA is my only source of income. We have a deal. Trump and DOGE have no business touching my money. They are on corporate welfare. I earned every penny.
Without my Social Security income of $3,400/month, my income would be $2,000/month, and my rent is $2,300/month. This is how a person who has worked for 42 years becomes another homeless statistic.
I am 68, I take care of my Downs Syndrome son at home. My job doing this so the state doesn't have to is funded through Medicaid. We both receive a check from Social Security. If these three sources of income are cut we will be homeless in a frighteningly short period of time. I have paid into Social Security working full time since I was 17 years old. What these uncaring people want to do is so wrong.
As a person who is blind, I have received Social Security benefits in the past because of my disability. I also have several family members who are blind, and who receive Social Security benefits currently. These benefits are crucial to their survival on a daily basis. My mother, who has recently retired, now receives Social Security benefits. These, in addition to her retirement account through her employer, allow her to continue living a full and active life, even though she is no longer a working individual.
My husband died when my children were 4 and 5. Social Security allowed us to remain in our home, and let me work as a substitute teacher who could be available when my children needed me at home. My five siblings said they now viewed Social Security payments as helpful to others rather than resenting the payments as they previously had. Social Security now allows me, in my 80s, to remain independent rather than burdening my adult children. It isn't sufficient to cover my monthly expenses, but it is a major help in lowering my stress as it supplements my savings. Losing it would be a catastrophe!
I started paying into Social Security when I was 14 1/2. I drove myself the eight miles from my town to Interstate 80, with a learner’s permit, to work as a waitress at one of the two truck stops at the Malcolm exit. I drew my first paycheck there, subsequently paying into Medicare and Social Security. My hourly pay was $1.25, but we all know the money was made in the tips. This story is about working all my life, and in good faith, paying my taxes including federal, state, Medicare, and Social Security. I am upset that a private citizen, a non-government, non-vetted billionaire is messing with my money — yours, too — not to mention the private information he has access to! Today, I find myself reviewing our expenses to see what cuts we can take in case the unimaginable reality that the checks from the Social Security Administration don’t get to us due to crippling, chaotic lay-offs.
My wife and I have paid into Social Security our whole lives. We now depend on it to pay our mortgage, buy food, pay utilities, and provide for our pets. One of our dogs is on heart medicine that costs about $140 a month. Are we supposed to lose our dog because Musk and Trump want to cut our Social Security? I think not!
This is not a story about me. It is a story about the people I help. I volunteer with AARP to help people do their taxes. Far too many people I assist are well below the poverty line, grateful when they get a property tax credit or a home heating credit. I see people from subsidized housing surviving on less than $10K from Social Security as their only income. I see people that have Medicaid paying for their Medicare so they have health insurance. A number of people did not receive their SSA-1099s this year and I had to refer them to the local Social Security office.
One of the SSA offices that was shut down in New Jersey is Toms River. A major senior citizen area of NJ. Why make it MORE difficult for seniors to interact with SSA? Destroy confidence and efficiency in SSA. Disgusting and heartless.
Each month we each hold our breath praying that our Social Security checks are in the bank. Without them we can't eat, pay rent or other bills. We are both disabled and old. We depend on Social Security. We paid into it with our blood, sweat, and tears.
The very real pain and very real fear so many Americans are feeling right now leaps off the screen — and demands our attention. No one should be out there worrying about whether they’ll be able to make ends meet after a lifetime of hard work and paying into the system.
I’m carrying your stories in my heart every day. And I’m working to make sure your voices are heard because they matter — tremendously. I’m grateful to each one of you who shared your experiences, and they fuel me in this fight.
If you’ve got a story to share about Social Security, I want to hear it.
Thanks for being a part of this,
Elizabeth  |
