Target: Frank Bisignano, Commissioner of Social Security Administration
Goal: Protect social security disability benefits of older Americans.
Older Americans who have paid into social security for most of their working lives could soon find it more difficult to receive these benefits when they are needed most. A proposed new rule from the Trump administration would essentially eliminate a recipient’s age as a major factor in decisions about disability payments. As it has long stood, older age has helped nearly half of disability payment recipients secure their funds. Without this qualifying factor, three-quarters of a million people stand to lose access to earned benefits.
Age has been factored into the disability system because research has shown that older adults have a much harder time transitioning into new work after disabilities prevent them from performing in their previous jobs. Individuals who fail to obtain disability benefits are often forced to tap into their retirement savings and as a consequence receive lesser amounts of social security payments for the rest of their lives. The process of approval can already take years, and if these proposed changes come to fruition the limbo – and the number of Americans barely making ends meet – will likely soar.
Sign the petition below to demand leaders find another path to solvency that does not involve punishing at-risk American workers.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Commissioner Bisignano,
The United Kingdom has recently decided that its best path toward saving on disability payments is to severely curtail the access of individuals suffering from mental health issues. As an epidemic of suicide and alcohol and substance abuse has rampaged through the region in recent years, this decision could put countless individuals at dire risk. Do not let the same fate befall Americans who desperately need disability assistance.
If the proposal to eliminate age as a point of consideration in the social security disability benefit system goes into effect, up to 42 percent and 750,000 recipients could find their retirement years much more challenging and full of hardship. Americans worked for this security. Do not abandon them during their time of need.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Caroline Cagnin
