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Social Security Notch Issues

I share your concerns and continue trying to help you and all those shortchanged by this unfair rule.

In 1977, Congress enacted changes to the Social Security system tying benefits to inflation starting at the arbitrary date of 1916. The legislation was intended to improve the system’s financial state, but instead, caused lasting disparities for the people born between 1917 and 1926. This is just plain wrong. If you are a “notch baby” it may mean you receive less social security than your neighbor born just one year later or earlier. Congress made the mistake, it is Congress that must fix it.

February 8, 2005, Representative Ralph Hall of Texas introduced the Notch Fairness Act of 2005, H.R. 615, which I have again co-sponsored. This bill would allow notch babies to choose either lump sum payments over four years totaling $5,000 or an improved benefit computation formula. This bill has been referred to the House Social Security Subcommittee.

I continue to support just compensation for Northern Michigan’s notch babies. There is no question that those who were born between 1917 and 1926 are not being treated in the same manner as people that were born either before or after them. This is an issue of fairness and I will continue to work for an even handed solution!

The best interests of senior citizens in our communities are a priority for me.