Cut the Cake, Not the Benefits!
Celebrate Social Security's 70th Birthday

August 10, 2005

As most NOW activists are well-aware, women depend on Social Security's benefits to afford them a more secure retirement. In addition, millions of surviving parents and their children absolutely depend upon Social Security's survivor benefits when a working partner dies or becomes serious disabled. This critically important safety net will turn 70 years old soon and hundreds of celebrations are taking place across the country.

We hope that you can join in with others in your community to convey a message about protecting and maintaining Social Security. Women need to send a message to Congress that this vital program must not be dismantled, nor any benefits cut. There are rumors that the Republican leadership will push this fall to get a bad bill passed that will weaken or destroy the program's guaranteed, inflation proofed benefit structure. NOW opposes any change that will include the establishment of risky private accounts or change the benefit formula to reduce benefits over time.

Please check a listing of events in your state.

This news article from the St. Petersburg Times illustrates some of the festivities and the types of activism under way - including the delivery of birthday cakes with the message "cut the cake, not the benefits" to members of Congress who are considering private accounts plans for Social Security.