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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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AARP: Social Security Talk Lacking at RNC

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Wednesday, July 20, 2016   

CLEVELAND -- "Make America Work Again" was the theme on day two of the RNC in Cleveland. Yet some advocacy organizations say there's not enough talk about giving workers the benefits they've earned.

More than 60 million retirees and individuals with disabilities receive Social Security benefits, and the program faces solvency challenges as baby boomers reach retirement. Protecting Social Security for future generations should be a priority for the next president, contends Pete Jeffries, national engagement director for AARP.

"For too long in this campaign cycle and many others, it seems like the candidates want to kick the can down the road,” Jeffries said. "There's no longer time for that. We need our nation's leaders to take action and update Social Security."

Jeffries said that those he's spoken with seem to understand the challenge ahead and agree Social Security needs to be updated, but it's just a matter of getting the issue on the agenda and into the spotlight. Social Security can only pay full benefits until 2034, according to the program's latest trustee's report.

According to John Hishta, AARP's senior vice president for campaigns, solutions are needed now to alleviate uncertainty in the future.

"The sooner you tackle the issues Social Security faces, the easier it is to deal with the problems that it faces as opposed to waiting till the last minute and dealing with it in a crisis situation. "

AARP's Take a Stand campaign aims to ramp up the conversation about saving Social Security, Jeffries said, and to get elected leaders on board.

"If our next generation of elected leaders do not talk soon,” he warned, "come 2034 there's going to be a 25 percent cut across the board to Social Security benefits. That can add up to nearly $10,000 a year. That's quite a gut-punch."

Donald Trump has vowed to save Social Security without making cuts. Hillary Clinton also says she would not cut the program, and would expand it.

More information, visit aarp.org.




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