See Which Candidates Can be Trusted with Seniors’ Votes

With Election Day just days away, the Alliance has endorsed more than 240 midterm election candidates based on retiree issues. Check this map to find the endorsed candidates from your state here.

“Before you vote, make sure you know which candidates will fight to keep your retirement secure,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “We're fighting to enhance and expand our Social Security and Medicare benefits and defend our pensions.”

Many Senate and House Republicans have made it clear that they will gut Social Security and Medicare if they take control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

“We need to take these Republican threats seriously,” said Joseph Peters, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “I hope all Alliance members will join me and take the time in the closing days of the election to tell your family, friends, and neighbors what’s at stake.”

Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order after Arizona Alliance Sues to Stop Intimidation at Ballot Drop Boxes

A federal judge in Phoenix issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) Tuesday night against a vigilante group that has been photographing and recording voters casting ballots at drop boxes in Arizona to deter people from voting. The Arizona Alliance had filed a lawsuit on October 24 to stop the harassment.

“This order is a win for all Arizonans, especially seniors who are the most likely to vote by early ballot,” said Arizona Alliance President Saundra Cole. “These people are under court order not to film or yell at voters returning their ballots. And they cannot wear tactical gear, and they cannot openly display their guns.” 

“Recent Arizona history tells us that there may be more challenges to democracy in our state,” Cole added. “Arizona Alliance members will continue to do whatever we can to ensure all older voters can make their voices heard at the ballot box.”

Two masked individuals dressed in tactical gear sit near a ballot drop box location in Mesa, Arizona on October 21, 2022. 

GOTV Teletown Halls Feature AFL-CIO President Shuler, Labor Secretary Walsh, Rep. Tim Ryan and Other VIPs

The AFL-CIO hosted a Retirement Security Teletown Hall Thursday with a slate of key leaders from the labor movement to rally retirees to get out the vote in battleground states.

Among the speakers were AFL-CIO President Elizabeth Shuler, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer and Alliance Executive Vice President Fred Redmond, Alliance President Roach, AFT President Randi Weingarten, and Arizona Alliance President Cole.

“Our seniors and retirees are the Defenders of Democracy, you’re the last line of defense,” said President Shuler on the call, referring to constant lies being told about the 2020 election results. She noted that retirees and seniors are the most reliable voters.

President Shuler mentioned GOP Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who wants Congress to vote every year to determine whether Social Security and Medicare programs should continue, and senate candidate Blake Masters of Arizona, who wants to privatize Social Security and gamble retirees’ earned benefits on the stock market, as examples of serious GOP threats to Social Security. She advised seniors to go to www.AFLCIOvotes.org to volunteer during the last days of the election and to bring someone with them to vote on Election Day to increase the union retiree vote.

On Tuesday, the Ohio Alliance hosted a telephone town hall meeting with Rep. Tim Ryan (D), the Alliance's endorsed candidate for the U.S. Senate, as well as President Shuler, AFSCME President Lee Saunders, and Alliance Executive Director Richard Fiesta. 

During the call, Ryan noted that the American Rescue Plan, which provided funding to save the pensions of 100,000 Ohioans, passed without any Republican support in the House or Senate. He also reiterated his support for expanding Social Security and adding vision, dental and hearing benefits to Medicare.

Medicare Beneficiaries Urged to Compare Plans and Be Wary of Misleading Claims During Open Season

As Medicare’s annual open enrollment period gets underway, two new analyses from KFF suggest that only a small percentage of the nation’s 65 million Medicare beneficiaries will take advantage of the opportunity to review their 2023 coverage options or switch plans. That decision can have a significant impact on enrollees’ coverage and costs. 

switch Medicare Supplemental or Part D drug plans or elect to join a private Medicare Advantage plan. Beneficiaries in a Medicare Advantage plan can compare and switch Medicare Advantage plans or elect coverage under traditional Medicare with or without a stand-alone drug or Medigap plan.

“This time of year retirees are bombarded with so much information about competing Medicare plans, it is tempting to stick with the plan they are in,” said Executive Director Fiesta. “However, that may not be the best option for their health or their wallets. We encourage seniors to contact their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) office to get unbiased, accurate information about the best Medicare plan for you and your family.” 

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