The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare has begun a new initiative called Eleanor’s Hope. Eleanor Roosevelt lived her life fighting for an America which respects all of its citizens regardless of gender age or income.
Women of all ages need to mobilize and get out and vote for income equality, income security, and health protection equal to their male counter parts.
When you cast your vote on Nov. 4 choose a representative who will work to pass legislature that will especially support and protect women.
Consider this; while Social Security is a vitally important program for all Americans, it is especially important for the financial security of women. First of all, women live longer than men. On average, women today who reach 65 outlive men by two years. These additional years of longevity increase the risk that women may outlive their savings or that their pensions may lose their purchasing power.
Women’s lifetime earnings are generally lower than those of men. In 2012, the median earnings of women working full time were $38,000 compared to $48,000 for men. Additionally, women are less likely than men to have an employer-provided pension. On average, only 22 percent of women receive a pension compared to 28 percent for men. Moreover when women do have pensions, they tend to be smaller on average than those received by men. In 2012, nearly 50 percent of elderly unmarried women receiving Social Security relied on it for 90 percent or more of their total income.
Stated simply, women depend substantially in retirement on benefits they receive from Social Security. These benefits last a life time and unlike pensions, are adjusted for increase in inflation.
Vote this November for a candidate who will boost Social Security. By doing this you will be perpetuating Eleanor Roosevelt’s Hope…your hope… for income equality, income security and health security.
“The function of democratic living is not to lower standards but to raise those that have been too low.” Eleanor Roosevelt, Tomorrow is Now……….
Villager Sue Michalson is the Congressional District 11 representative for the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.