Social Security under siege, advocate says

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) - We have all heard the warning that Social Security money could run out in about 20 years, and at least one advocate for the program is saying that it could be in trouble sooner than expected.

Donald Adcock, a director of the non-profit National Committee to Preserve and Protect Social Security and Medicare spoke at the Jewish Nursing Home in Longmeadow on Monday, where he told 22News why Social Security benefits could be put in jeopardy.

“Changing the formula for how cost of living adjustments are set. They (members of Congress) could reduce Social Security benefits over ten years by three percent,” he said.

Adcock also frowned on the efforts of some congressmen to make sure new recipients cannot receive benefits until they are 70.

Residents of the nursing home told 22News about how Social Security had been a safety net in their lives.

“My husband had to quit early in life, therefore, I had nothing. Now I still have nothing, but I have Social Security,” resident Shirley Jacobson said.

Clara Hawley said that her husband died young.

“He died at forty, so I had many years to get those seven children grown up and on their own,” she said.

Congressman Richard Neal (D-Springfield) said that half of the people who get up and go to work each day in America are not part of a company retirement plan, and will need Social Security.

“The bedrock guarantees of Social Security is its genius. You can outlive an annuity, you cannot outlive Social Security,” Neal said.

Adcock told the retirees that he believes Social Security and Medicare now face their greatest dangers.