AARP pushing presidential hopefuls on Social Security

CEDAR RAPIDS - An advocacy group for seniors is mobilizing the 65-and-older population in early caucus and primary states to press presidential candidates on their Social Security reform plans, a relevant issue in Iowa where one in five residents receive the benefits.

AARP's first 'Take a Stand” organizational meeting in Eastern Iowa was Wednesday at Kirkwood Community College.

Projections show Social Security, which provides retirement income for 43.8 million Americans, will not be able to pay full benefits by 2034, partially due to the number of baby boomers retiring and to fewer people in the work force paying into the program.

At that point, those who receive Social Security could face a 25 percent reduction in benefits, or a cut of up to $10,000 a year.

'It's about the bigger picture. It's not just about current retirees, ... It's also about future retirees,” Anthony Carroll, associate director for AARP Iowa, told about 100 AARP members in attendance.

According to AARP, 95 percent of Iowans 65-years-old and older receive Social Security, compared with 92 percent nationwide. In three out of 10 cases, Social Security is the recipient's only source of income.

Kent Sovern, AARP's state director, said to Social Security changes would especially impact women over age 80 who rely on the benefits for more than 70 percent of their income.

'I don't have to tell you that women live longer than men, so any changes to Social Security will undoubtedly impact women to a greater extent,” he said.

According to the Social Security Administration, a 65-year-old man has an average life expectancy of 84 years and three months, while a woman of the same age can expect to live until age 86 years and six months.

The Take a Stand campaign is calling on the next president to make Social Security reform a priority in 2017.

While AARP is nonpartisan and doesn't endorse candidates or specific reform plans, it tries to help voters make informed decisions. The group has laid out possible solutions to ensure Social Security lasts for future generations, including raising the retirement age, increasing payroll taxes, or reducing benefits for wealthy retirees.

Moreen Tonkin, 70, of Marion, said she hasn't heard many presidential candidates lay out specific plans for addressing Social Security.

'I really feel that it needs to be addressed now,” she said. 'I believe that Social Security is the same as if we bought an insurance policy and paid into it our whole entire lives ... We need to stand up and fight for that, and not let it be taken away from us and out future generations.”