Alliance/AFL-CIO Symposium Focused on the Looming Retirement Security Crisis

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler kicked the day off, highlighting how the fight for retirement security is a labor movement priority. 

“Everyone here knows that this work around retirement security is right at the center of what everyone is thinking and talking about and it matters to me personally,” said President Shuler. “Retirement security was what drove my pathway to union activism. I had a front row seat and experienced how corporate greed can destroy that hard earned promise of a retirement. I know that everyone has their own motivation, their own story. ”  

AFL-CIO Deputy Director of Corporations and Capital Markets Brandon Rees moderated a panel discussion entitled “Private Equity and Retirement Security - Hero or Villain?” In video remarks, Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN) drew attention to how the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) dismantling of the Social Security Administration is hurting older Americans and emphasized the need to fully staff the agency. 

Rep. John Larson (CT) discussed how Social Security is vital for local economies. He urged attendees to demand action from lawmakers to strengthen Social Security and make sure they know how many beneficiaries are in their legislative districts. This information is available on the SSA website and updated each year. 

National Institute on Retirement Security Executive Director Dan Doonan and Research Director Tyler Bond educated attendees about how Social Security drives economic output and the history of polling on Social Security. Then Alliance Executive Director Richard Fiesta and Legislative Representative David Simon discussed the future of Social Security and an overview of legislative proposals related to the earned benefits program.  

“Retirement security is very important – we all have to do something,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance, in his closing remarks. “We have to have legal, peaceful action and we should join together and get this done. It’s a big deal for seniors and their families, for your children, your grandchildren, to ensure retirement security for all.”

Presentation materials from the symposium are posted here. Video will be added soon.

Trump Administration Drops Harmful Proposal to Make Social Security Disability Benefits Harder to Claim

The Alliance issued the following statement in response to the recent decision to suspend a planned revamp of Social Security Disability Insurance eligibility rules:

In the wake of overwhelming criticism from members of Congress, seniors organizations, and disability rights advocates, the Trump Administration this week reversed course and ended its plan to overhaul Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) eligibility rules. The change would have made it significantly harder for millions of older Americans with disabilities to receive the benefits they have earned.

The Alliance raised serious concerns about the proposal, which would have raised the age threshold for disability evaluations to 60 years old or eliminated age as a factor entirely. That change would have ignored the realities older workers face in the job market and threatened to cut eligibility by as much as 20 percent overall and up to 30 percent for older applicants.

“This is a victory for every American who has worked hard, paid into Social Security, and counted on the program to be there if they became disabled,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans. “These benefits are earned. They are not handouts or political bargaining chips. Americans deserve a disability system that recognizes the challenges of aging. We will always fight alongside workers, retirees, and our allies in Congress to strengthen Social Security — not weaken it.”

West Virginia Alliance Hosts its Annual Convention

The West Virginia Alliance held its 21st Annual Convention at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley this week. The two-day event began on Thursday and officers will be elected today. Alliance Field Mobilization Director Maureen Dunn gave a presentation on retirement security issues and challenges facing older Americans. Former United Mineworkers of America President Cecil Roberts also spoke at the event.

Left: Attendees at the West Virginia Alliance Convention; Right: Former UMWA President Cecil Roberts delivers remarks

KFF Health News: Complaints About Gaps in Medicare Advantage Networks Are Common. Federal Enforcement Is Rare.
By Susan Jaffe

Along with the occasional aches and pains, growing older can bring surprise setbacks and serious diseases. Longtime relationships with doctors people trust often make even bad news more tolerable. Losing that support — especially during a health crisis — can be terrifying. That’s why little-known federal requirements are supposed to protect people with privately run Medicare Advantage coverage when contract disputes lead their health care providers and insurers to part ways.

But government documents obtained by KFF Health News show the agency overseeing Medicare Advantage does little to enforce long-standing rules intended to ensure about 35 million plan members can see doctors in the first place.

Read more here.

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