(LACKAWANNA) – Joined by Local Labor Representatives and U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins of Buffalo, Retiree Steve Muscarella – who serves as President of the Erie/Niagara Chapter of the New York State Alliance for Retired Americans – led the Human Chain Against The Chained CPI Event that was held Tuesday (July 2nd) at the Lackawanna Senior Center

"Senior Citizens have spent a Lifetime Working Hard at their Jobs, Supporting their Families and Paying into Social Security,” said Muscarella during this National Day of Action to Protect and Enhance Retirement Security.  “They should be Able to Retire in Dignity.  They should ‘Not Have’ to Unnecessarily Endure Cuts to their Financial Well-Being at the Most Vulnerable Time in their Lives." 

The Buffalo-Area Event that was held in Lackawanna was one of more than 45 so-named Human Chain Against The Chained CPI Events that were held across the United States.

According to the Alliance for Retired Americans, Application of the Chained CPI would Reduce the Annual COLA for Beneficiaries by 0.3% every year, on average.  Under this Proposal, an Individual Retiring at the Age of 65 would Lose Nearly $5,000 in Benefits by Age 75. By age 85, they would lose almost $10,000. If they lived until 95, they would lose more than $15,000.

In Higgins’ New York-26th Congressional District: A total of 157,562 Seniors receive Social Security Benefits; and 30,250 Individuals Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits.  In 2012, the Average Annual Benefit for Beneficiaries Age 65 and Older Was Less Than $15,000, and Two out of Five Retirees Rely on Social Security for Ninety-Percent of their Retirement.

“For over Seventy Years, Social Security has been a ‘Safety Net’ for Seniors, Ensuring that they can Retire ‘Without’ Fear of Significant Financial Hardship and a Lifeline for Disabled Americans as they Strive to Live Full and Productive Lives,” Higgins said. “Attempts to Reduce our Deficit and Grow our Economy ‘Should Not Come’ at the Expense of Seniors.”

Higgins is one of 113 Co-Sponsors of H. Con. Res. 34, which Opposes using Chained CPI to COLA for Social Security Benefits. 

Alliance Members who are Unable to Attend an Event in Person Today were Urged to Participate in the Day’s Action by Calling or Writing to Congress.  You can Call Congress on July 2nd at 202-224-3121.  Tell Your Representative: “I Oppose the Chained CPI Benefit Cut to Social Security.” 

“The chained CPI is a ‘Cold, Calculated’ Benefit Cut to our Social Security - and ‘’Some Cuts Never Heal!’” National Alliance President Barbara Easterling said in a Distributed Press Release.