Protecting What You've Earned: AARP’s Fight for Social Security

[DarrylL35959]

We hear you loud and clear. AARP members are deeply concerned about Social Security, and we are steadfast in our commitment to protecting this vital program.

Right now, we’re asking for three assurances:

✅ Social Security will make payments on time—just as it has for almost 90 years.
✅ Claims will be processed on time and not backlogged for months.
✅ Customer service will be a top priority. Forcing millions of Americans to jump through new hoops or drive hours to a local office is unacceptable.

We’re fighting to ensure that Social Security remains strong, reliable, and accessible for everyone who relies on it.

Learn more about what we’re doing to safeguard Social Security here: How AARP Is Fighting for Social Security Right Now AARP Darryl

[MarianD731192]

Darryl - I appreciate the statements that AARP is making and the "ask" for assurances.  But I'm disappointed that AARP is not more visible and loud in fighting for this earned benefit for its members.  This is a moment when collective actions is required.  What other organizations are you connecting with? How are you getting the message out  - I don't see AARP representatives on either traditional news media outlets or on social media.  When can we expect an update?  As members we have been supporting AARP for years, and now we need your leadership and help!

[GailL1]

@MarianD731192 

I saw Bill Sweeney on CSpan on March 28, 2025 -

CSpan Morning Journal 03/28/2025- Bill Sweeney on AARP and the Future of Social Security 

You can listen or read the interview and listen to the callers at the above link.  Maybe they aren’t where you think they should be - on some MSM saying what?

No benefits have been cut, no benefits have been reduced or changed - well except for those getting MORE benefits due to the elimination of the WEP/GPO.  And that has added more of a work load but they are doing just fine at handling this added work and getting the past payments out and setting up the new amounts.  Now they just have to wait on the others who never filed for their benefits since they knew the WEP or GPO would just reduce any of their benefits to zero.  But now they can file.

Personally I am happy that they are now really promoting the use of the mySocialSecurity accounts and they are talking steps to make it even more secure by adding the picture id for Login.gov as the ID.me has had for a long time.  

I think we should all support beneficiaries appointing their Advanced Rep Payee to help them with such tasks and other things.  Yes, beneficiaries do need to be assigned a person or org that CAN and Will if the beneficiary CAN’T or WON’T.  

I looked back and read about all the uproar that beneficiaries made when we moved away from paper checks - you would have thought the system was coming to an end.  But it didn’t yet we have never pushed for the others to get away from paper checks even though there was supposed to have been an end date and a shift to auto deposit or debit card.  Yet we still have millions getting a paper check and we are Way past the 1st date of termination.  At a $1.00 for each paper check - that’s a nice savings - so beneficiaries will just have to deal or their Rep Payee will do the dealing for them.

[MarianD731192]

Thanks so much for the link to the CSpan program.  Would love to see more of this!

[GailL1]

@MarianD731192 

Personally, I wasn’t impressed.  Seems the AARP Senior Vice President - Government Affairs, Mr. Bill Sweeney was promoting the continuation of processes that had become commonplace t many of us because it was the way we had always done some things.

That does not make them right in the current environment of tech scams and data breaches.  Where the personal information of many people, used to identify them over the phone with SSA, can now be found on the Dark Web.  We need to stop these changes made over the phone for auto deposit bank accounts and change of addresses - “We aren’t in Kansas anymore, Dorthy”  

Time for the SSA to change with the times and get our online access as secure as it can possibly be and that is what we are now doing with the new procedures for identification on our accounts.  We are bringing our identify security up to the standards of what private enterprise has been using for years to protect people’s finances and what other government offices have been using.  

If a beneficiary has problems with the new program, they will just have to find somebody they trust to help them or make an appointment with the local office and get their help there.  Or maybe AARP can help the beneficiaries out here too with tech classes, workshops or even bonded people to help them out like they do with taxes.  

[GailL1]

I would add a few other things

✅ Social Security will make payments on time—just as it has for almost 90 years.

Of course, a given - but then we should also have the assurance that the monies in the Trust Funds are substantial enough to cover those down the road in the same on time fashion.  But that may mean that we increase revenues or reduce benefits.  As most Actuaries see it, the FIX might mean a little of both.  Should the condition of receiving a benefit for contributions made remain in the system or should it be means tested?

✅ Claims will be processed on time and not backlogged for months.

Retirement claims are doing well in claims processing even though it might be taking a bit longer due to pure numbers of baby boomers and this panic rush of filing for Retirement benefits.  However a lot of work in the process of Disability claims has to be done because this process has been backlogged for years and years.  Tech changes to have doctors transmit medical info would be a real plus.  The process seem clear and pretty much immediate for those who have been declared medically terminal or for those who have one or more of the long list of Compassionate allowances.  The question of disability for some with other ailments remains the problem - and these are still put thru numerous appeals.  Personally, I think the (5) month waiting period for most that are disable approved is a real problem - only Dx of ALS is exempt from this condition even if the disabled person that has been declared terminal with a short expiration date - IOW, a person can die before their SSDI begin.  The Welfare disability program of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not have such a wait period once approved.

✅ Customer service will be a top priority.

Personally, I am glad that more attention is being placed on our privacy and security.  Use the individual mysocialsecurity account which is now being updated for security reasons.  Or make an appointment at the local office to take care of the needs.  If unable to do so - the beneficiary may need a representative payee to help them with their benefits.  Plus so much more can be done with the individual mysocialsecurity account like the personal assignment of an Advanced Representative Payee for the SSA to use if one has to be assigned.  

We will adjust to new routines - we will adjust without paper checks - We will adjust to making appointments.  This is no different than the changes that have come before like the switch from paper checks to auto deposits or debit cards way back when (2011)  -

The one that I would hope will be added is to find some way to explain the SSA program or logistics to people in some way for them to understand those things to which they want answers. This would cut down on a lot of phone calls in and of itself. 

We all want the same thing - a system that is properly funded, a system that is simple to use to file for benefits and in a punctual fashion, and a system that is protected from security issues.

[Winter2025VA]

[Thursday 4/3/25]

AARP Darryl @DarrylL35959 , I am SO GLAD you posted this.

YES, "on time" payments are my biggest CONCERN along with a REDUCTION/ELIMINATION of my RETIREMENT Social Security Payments.

At age 67 this year 2025, I rely on it to live.

Take care,

Nicole  👵

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[*** @DarrylL35959 wrote 4/3/25:

We hear you loud and clear. AARP members are deeply concerned about Social Security, and we are steadfast in our commitment to protecting this vital program.

Right now, we’re asking for three assurances:

✅Social Security will make payments on time—just as it has for almost 90 years.
✅Claims will be processed on time and not backlogged for months.
✅Customer service will be a top priority. Forcing millions of Americans to jump through new hoops or drive hours to a local office is unacceptable.

We’re fighting to ensure that Social Security remains strong, reliable, and accessible for everyone who relies on it.

Learn more about what we’re doing to safeguard Social Security here: How AARP Is Fighting for Social Security Right Now AARP Darryl ***]

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