AARP's Long History of Supporting Social Security Cuts

[eridani]

rRom Firedoglake via email--

The Wall Street Journal recently reported the AARP will support benefit cuts to Social Security. The AARP responded by saying that “our position has not changed on Social Security.”

That’s actually true. For years, the AARP has wanted to cut Social Security benefits. It is critical to note that despite AARP's language about wanting to "save Social Security," they are using the same word tricks used by others who want to destroy our social safety net.

While our government has shoved trillions to banks, Social Security has and will continue be solvent for decades. Any "changes" to Social Security now will inevitably lead to benefit cuts. That's what we must prevent.

Read the facts, and forward this email to your friends and family. If you haven't yet, please sign our petition to pledge to protect Social Security from AARP.


1. AARP did not deny the Wall Street Journal’s report; its response even showed the AARP is open to “changes in benefits.”

In the Wall Street Journal article, AARP policy director John Rother was clear that he's willing to support Social Security benefit cuts, saying, “The ship was sailing. I wanted to be at the wheel when that happens.” Current AARP CEO A. Barry Rand called the WSJ piece inaccurate and misleading, but didn’t clarify what he thought was inaccurate. Rand’s statement even reiterated AARP’s belief that “changes” need to be made to Social Security benefits.

Sources: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304186404576389760955403414.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/17/aarp-social-security_n_878966.html

2. AARP officials admitted the organization was discussing benefit cuts for “months” with the Wall Street Journal.

While trying to spin the AARP’s exposed to scheme to support Social Security cuts, AARP legislative director David Certner said the AARP was “never seeking this kind of publicity” for its position. Certner said AARP officials had discussed benefit changes for “months” with the Wall Street Journal.

Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57490.html

3. AARP was willing to raise the retirement age during George W. Bush’s attempts to privatize Social Security in 2005. Then-AARP CEO William Novellli put raising the retirement age “on the table” in 2005.

“‘There's a lot of opportunity for common ground. If we could get the private accounts, the carve-outs, out of the way I think we could get to solvency fairly quickly.’ That includes discussion over an increase in the retirement age, said Novelli. ‘We are willing to consider it,’ he said. ‘It ought to be on the table.’”

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a.o2txILxWsE

4. In 2005, AARP CEO William Novelli called adjusting benefits a “reasonable step.”

"’Social Security does not need a radical overhaul,’ AARP Chief Executive Officer William Novelli said in speech at the National Press Club. ‘Reasonable steps such as these, including possibly adjusting benefits, are enough to strengthen Social Security for the long term.’”

Source: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/3031895.html


5. An AARP memo suggested “changes in benefits” as a solution for “Social Security solvency.”

An AARP official provided the Huffington Post a 2005 memo that outlined the organization’s position on Social Security. The document shows the AARP offered “changes in benefits” as a positive position for the organization to take in the Social Security fight at the time.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/21/aarp-social-security-debt-ceiling_n_881305.html

6. An AARP official flippantly dismissed those who opposed Social Security cuts.

AARP policy director John Rother dismissed people who said they wouldn’t support Social Security cuts. "I know all these people personally and they'll say we have to be hard line now to influence the debate...I kind of take it with a grain of salt, these emphatic statements," Rother said.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704476104575439792287255372.html

[senseandsensibility]

1. keep this kicked

rec'd.

[unkachuck]

2. K&R....n/t

[DJ13]

3. Kick

What a bunch of snakes.

[ashling]

4. Looks like I will have to

burn my AARP card ... again!

[HillbillyBob]

9. I have called them several times emailed increasingly nasty letters

so this week they send me an automatic membership card ..so I put it back in the return envelope with Remove Me! written across the name addy etc.
The medicare part D bullshit was why we did not want them anyway, this just adds to the disgust. That and I hate junk mail! I have to shred it to recycle, that means carrying it back to town. We keep getting on these damn lists, and yes put ourselves on the no call no mail etc. We don't enter contests and am wary about giving out address anyway.

[dixiegrrrrl]

42. I have been sending back with "Remove Me" for going on 5 years now.

Gotta admit their dedication to fund raising.

[bhikkhu]

27. Then the WSJ's job is complete!

A better article about the episode is here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=137255655

...leading one to question whether the larger republican strategy against SS, which they've proven they can't win in any public forum, is to divide it up into "a million cuts", one of which is to discredit the AARP with those it advocates for.

[murphyj87]

5. The CARP....

The Canadian Association of Retired People is doing the exact opposite. The CARP is pushing for an increase in Canada Pension, Old Age Security Pension, and Guaranteed Income Supplement. In response, each party (including Harper's Conservatives) committed to raising one or all of CPP, OAS, and GIS. I get CPP at age 60, and OAS at age 65. GIS is for people with lower incomes, maybe no company pension and/or smaller CPP than most have.

[RKP5637]

38. Canada for the most part is about people IMO, whereas USA, Inc. is about greed IMO. n/t

[Metta]

6. They were drooling over the Pharma giveaway under Bush.

They pushed aggressively for it.

[lbrtbell]

7. My mother's not joining AARP again

However, while she's still with them, she IS inquiring about their disgustingly overpriced life insurance in order to get the free mini radio. :rofl:

[amborin]

8. kr

[999998th word]

10. I haven't trusted them

ever since the pharma medicare/medicaid sell out several years ago and I wasn't near the retirement age yet.

Now that I am they'll never see a dime from me.

[Mojorabbit]

11. This is the letter they sent me

Thank you for contacting AARP regarding inaccurate media stories
about the association's policy on Social Security:

AARP is committed as ever to fighting to protect Social Security for
today's older American's and to strengthen it for future generations.
Contrary to the misleading characterization in a recent media story,
AARP has not changed its position on Social Security.

We are currently fighting proposals in Washington to cut Social
Security in order to reduce a deficit it did not cause. AARP
believes Social Security should not be used as a piggy bank to solve
the nation's deficit. Any changes to this lifeline program should
happen in a separate, broader discussion and should make retirement
more secure for future generations.

Our focus has always been the impact of changes on people, not just
budget totals. This is why AARP's volunteer Board is evaluating any
proposed changes to Social Security. They will determine how each
change-individually or in different combinations-might impact the
lives of current and future retirees, especially in times of economic
hardship.

We have maintained for years-to our members, the media, and elected
officials-that long-term solvency is key to protecting and
strengthening Social Security for all generations. We have urged
elected officials in Washington to address the program's long-term
challenges in a way that's fair for all generations.

It has always been AARP's policy that Social Security be strengthened
to provide adequate benefits, in order to ensure solvency for the
next 75 years. Any changes should be phased in slowly, over time,
and should not affect any current or near-term retirees.

AARP strongly opposed a privatization plan in 2005, and continues to
oppose this approach. Private accounts would reduce benefits and add
a large measure of risk. They would eliminate the guaranteed income
that Social Security currently provides.

Social Security is a critical issue for our members, their families
and Americans of all ages. We are in a time when many will have less
retirement security than previous generations due to fewer pensions,
less savings and rising health care costs.

To take action to help protect Social Security, and to learn more
about what we're doing to help older Americans, go to
www.aarp.org/strengthensocialsecurity from your home computer or at
your local library.

I hope this information is helpful. Again, thank you for getting in
touch with us. It is important for us to know the concerns of
members. If there are any services or issues we can assist you with
in the future, please do not hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,

[eridani]

12. Great--they're OK with fucking over younger workers--

--as long as changes are phased in slowly.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

28. Please check your private messages

asap.

[jtown1123]

31. Exactly. They will cut benefits for future generations...DO NOT WANT.

[Wilms]

13. ^

[bvar22]

14. AARP is just a "front" for one of the greediest, cold blooded

For Profit Health Insurance Corporations in the World.

AARP will support anything that is good for Corporate Profits.

SEE: AARP endorses ObamaCare

[TBF]

17. Who is it? I have been doing searches and haven't been able to figure out who funds them.

But I wouldn't be surprised if it is the Koch-head Bros.

[bvar22]

19. Here.

[TBF]

21. Ok, that makes sense, they are the biggest.

That explains AARP's position on Social Security.

[jtown1123]

32. Nobody "funds"them except for their insurance and discount customers.

It isn't that insiduous. They have and always will be a business to make make profits. They have an advocacy branch but obviously, profits will come first. Always.

[dixiegrrrrl]

43. and millions of members who pay annual fees.

I forget the what the current fee is, it is small but adds up if enough fork over.
Plus they get kickbacks from pushing all the ads for senior services, medical aids, health, life, death, insurance, etc.

[ooglymoogly]

44. No it does not make any sense.

They are claiming they are speaking for us, "Senior citizens", and they are not.

Like any other corporate lobbying group, they are talking for their own profit motive interests in the guise of talking for Senior Citizens interests, who, conveniently, are not given a voice or allowed to speak because 0 does not want to hear what they most assuredly will say.

AARP is an Orwellian organization with an Orwellian bullhorn of propaganda using old folks for all they are worth to further their own interests.

How convenient the corporate media, the corporate president and the rest of corporate owned government is counting on another corporate interest, the AARP to sell old folks down the river.

If that is not sinister, nothing is sinister.


If they do not speak for us, then who the hell are they and why do they have a place at the bargaining table bargaining away our interests for their own....that is what is criminal.

[999998th word]

15. Volunteer board??

my ass. There shouldn't even BE any f**king debate.

Offshore bank accounts $$$$ likely.They have been bought & paid off for a long time.

They admit to f***ing us over, they just don't want the publicity.

Something tells me, whatever they get from 'membership fees' is just a drop in the bucket.

Awesome

[midnight]

16. AARP another tool of the insurance industry?

[TBF]

18. I found this article -

"Specifically, AARP is under attack for receiving $657 million in royalty revenue from insurance contracts in 2009."

http://thetaxforum.org/4791/aarp-is-in-trouble-again.htm

I don't know if they are fronted by a particular company, or just making money from dealing with many insurance companies (kickbacks?).

[ooglymoogly]

45. They are an insurance agency on steroids.

they get a percentage of all they sell. They have a small percentage of the elderly for whom they can do no wrong. Pugs retiring to Florida to lounge around their three room Mc- retirement condo, with an empty gated community pool and empty clubhouse, that nobody swims in or uses. Living the "good life" getting high on heart medicines and hideously expensive drugs sold to them 8 hrs a day. Occasionally self importantly driving to the local Walmart or dollar store or whatever night cheap food specials at any one of the myriad fast food chains is serving up. They are easily spotted in colorful polyester leisure, deluding themselves into believing AARP is the light of their lives, a prerequisite to the Valhalla of retirement and unshakably believing that pugs are there to help them.

Reality is something they never contemplate.

The point being, the vast majority of Senior Citizens could care less about the AARP and are going to be a might angry come election time, over SS continually getting robbed and benefits they paid for being cut to pay for taxcuts for the rich. I would guess to a certain extent that will go for the whole of the country who realize what a great masterpiece SS actually is.

[Fuddnik]

20. They always have been.

60 Minutes did an expose' on their insurance business and ties 15-20 years ago. They haven't changed.

[PatrynXX]

22. The Irony here is

my tea party dad considers the AARP a Left wing organization and canceled them and went for a right wing version. whoever that is. Whats more right wing than AARP??

[PoliticAverse]

23. The American Seniors Association

http://www.americanseniors.org/

From the 'About Us':
Known nationally as "the conservative alternative to the AARP," the American Seniors Association works
hard to fulfill its mission to provide seniors with the choices, information, and services they need
to live healthier, wealthier lives.

It operates as a for-profit:
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=AMSA.PK

[jtown1123]

33. Yupp. This group support Paul Ryan's voucher plan.

[airplaneman]

24. Double social security - dont cut it.

To all - If we were committed Social Security could be doubled. Steven Hill has an excellent argument on how this could be done and why it sould be considered. Bottom line - Liberals / Democrats want to use tax money for social and safety net issues, Republicans / Conservatives do not. AARP must be conservative.
You can Google "Steven Hill double social security" or try this link http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-hill/dont-cut-social-security_b_718988.html
We need to wake everyone up and push for Social Security Plus which would be the todays "New Deal".
-Airplane

[eridani]

25. A left-labor alternative to AARP

http://www.retiredamericans.org/
Alliance for Retired Americans

[jtown1123]

30. ARA is a great alternative. I would also recommend NCPSSM

www.ncpssm.org

[cui bono]

40. Why do we need any of these? Sorry for my ignorance but I'm not at retirement age quite yet. n/t

[RKP5637]

39. +1000 +++ n/t

[bhikkhu]

26. "That's actually true" is where you run into problems

...and you might note that the only supporting evidence of "that's actually true" comes from Novacelli in 2005, who was a unique mistake in the history of the organization, and who was convinced that Bush's privatization policy could work. I don't know that anyone believes that now, much less anyone in the AARP.

What the current guy said is, basically, he wanted to be a part of the discussion. There is little doubt that they will make adjustments to push the solvency issue out past 25 years or so, where it is now, so its only responsible for him to want to be a part of that.

The "adjustments" might be to raise the retirement age slightly for those workers who are being born today (that is, something that will take effect in 65 years or so), a cut traded off for a raise in the wage cap for more immediate effect.

[jtown1123]

29. We can't expect them not to be influenced by profit. They are an insurance company, first

an advocacy group a distant second.

Let's support groups that don't sell insurance or discounts:

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (www.ncpssm.org)

The Alliance for Retired Americans http://www.retiredamericans.org/

[lonestarnot]

34. Fuck AARP!

[eridani]

35. My experience calling state and national offices of AARP

National number is 1-888-687-2277.

Not much wait time, and the person who took the call was very polite, and said it was their policy to take down statements from people. I could hear the keyboard clicking, so am assuming she was being above board. I told her that the official statement on SocSec was way too quiahy, and that the organization should commit to no raise in the retirement age or cuts in benefits for younger workers. The way to semi-permanent solvency is raising the FICA cap.

Please have all the people you know call them and say something like the above.

[PatSeg]

36. AARP does NOT advocate for the elderly,

they advocate for insurance companies.

They make a fortune off of selling insurance and advertising. Then they have the nerve to charge dues. If you aren't an insurance company, then AARP is probably not your friend.

[RKP5637]

37. Agree soooo much. Most of what I get from AARP are ads for insurance. I think

I get at least one per week. I often view them as a large insurance company using helping old people as sort of a front.

[PatSeg]

41. I read recently that they made

over $650,000,000 in 2008 off of insurance royalties alone, plus another $120,000,000 in advertising fees for their publications. Then they have the nerve to charge members for the right to be on their mailing list?

I agree, helping old people appears to be a front. What a scam.