Social Security is a lifeline: In 1935, after bank failures had wiped out the savings of millions of Americans, the nation turned to Washington to guarantee the elderly a decent income. The Social Security Act was enacted at the urging of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to create a social insurance program that would ensure workers would have a source of income after they retired.

The Social Security system contributes to the well-being of Americans by providing a foundation of retirement income that permits seniors to live in dignity, while also providing support to younger family members who may have caregiver responsibilities. No other wage-replacement program - public or private - offers the protection Americans receive from the Social Security program.

This past Sunday, Social Security turned 81, and it’s time for Congress to take action to protect retirement security in America and make sure the program is around to help our children and our grandchildren.

Please support two bills:
1) the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act, introduced by Sen. Mazie Hirono in the Senate and Rep. Ted Deutch in the House, would switch to a more accurate CPI-E method of calculating cost of living adjustments to reflect the real costs seniors face.
2) the Social Security Expansion Act, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, would increase benefits for all Social Security beneficiaries by approximately $65 per month in addition to switching to CPI-E.

Social Security belongs to the people who have worked hard all their lives and contributed to the program. Now is the time to expand Social Security and shore up the program’s finances by having all Americans pay their fair share into the system.