CWA Statement: Fighting for Social Security Fairness
The Communication Workers of America (CWA) has long championed Social Security, advocating for its preservation and expansion to ensure fairness and security for all Americans. This statement outlines the CWA's position on key issues related to Social Security fairness.
Why Social Security Fairness Matters
Social Security is a cornerstone of economic security for millions of Americans, particularly retirees, the disabled, and surviving spouses and children. However, the system faces challenges that threaten its long-term viability and equity. These challenges demand immediate action to ensure fairness for all contributors and beneficiaries.
CWA's Core Principles for Social Security Fairness:
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Protecting and Expanding Benefits: The CWA unequivocally opposes any cuts to Social Security benefits. We advocate for increasing benefits to keep pace with the rising cost of living and to address historical inequities faced by low-income workers and women. This includes raising the minimum benefit to ensure a decent standard of living for all retirees.
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Strengthening the Social Security Trust Fund: We support solutions that strengthen the Social Security Trust Fund to ensure its long-term solvency. This includes exploring options such as increasing the Social Security tax base to include all earned income, and adjusting the taxation of higher earners. These measures will ensure the program's stability without jeopardizing benefits for current and future retirees.
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Addressing Systemic Inequities: The CWA acknowledges the historical and ongoing inequities within the Social Security system. We advocate for policies that address these inequities, such as improving benefits for low-wage workers, women, and people with disabilities. This includes considering measures to address the gender pay gap, which disproportionately affects women's Social Security benefits.
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Protecting the Integrity of the System: We actively oppose efforts to privatize Social Security or to introduce means-testing, which would undermine the system's fundamental principles of universality and social insurance. These changes would disproportionately harm low and moderate-income individuals.
Specific Policy Recommendations:
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Increase the Social Security Taxable Wage Base: Gradually raise the annual limit on earnings subject to Social Security taxes to ensure that high earners contribute their fair share.
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Strengthen COLA Adjustments: Improve the Consumer Price Index (CPI) used to calculate cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to accurately reflect the rising cost of living for seniors.
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Expand Benefits for Low-Income Workers: Increase the minimum benefit and improve benefits for those who have worked for low wages throughout their careers.
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Protect Disability Benefits: Ensure adequate funding and access to disability benefits, while fighting against efforts to restrict eligibility criteria.
Conclusion:
The CWA is committed to fighting for a strong and equitable Social Security system. We believe that Social Security is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and we will continue to advocate for policies that ensure its long-term viability and fairness for all Americans. The future of Social Security depends on our collective action to protect and strengthen this vital program for generations to come. We urge all members to contact their elected officials and demand that they prioritize Social Security fairness.
