Legislative Agenda 2007-2008

With older Americans in 2007 confronting threats both from abroad and at home, the nation is dealing with major budget and spending issues.  Simultaneously, older Americans face increased health care costs that are far outpacing general inflation. And Social Security continues to be threatened by privatization and attempts to reduce benefits.

America’s seniors, who use the health care system far more than other age groups, are caught in the bind of increasing costs, which far outstrip increases in Social Security and pensions, their primary sources of income.  The old adage that America cannot be strong abroad without first being strong at home can easily be applied to the state of domestic issues that affect older Americans.   The need for health care services, long-term care, economic security, and housing will grow increasingly urgent as the American population ages.

More Americans will retire in the coming decade as the Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964 become the retirees of the 21st century.  Current and future retirees, and their families, will need strong Social Security and Medicare systems, access to affordable long-term care, and strong pension systems in order to attain a decent quality of life. However, structural changes to the Medicare program and attempts to privatize Social Security as well as current tax policy skewed toward the wealthiest Americans represent major threats to the security of current and future retirees.  If the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 are made permanent, there will be fewer dollars to provide these vital services--$387.2 billion less over five years and $1.7 trillion less over ten years.  Those with the least need for tax cuts, the top 1 percent of households, will receive more than $1 trillion in tax benefits over the next decade.  This skewed tax policy undermines the capacity of the federal government to finance Social Security and Medicare benefits as well as make investments in schools and health care.  The Alliance for Retired Americans believes that effective legislative policies can protect the quality of life for America’s retirees even at a time when America faces other challenges at home and abroad.

Legislative Agenda 2007-2008