AARP New York Poll Finds Backing Proposed Cuts to Social Security, Vets Benefits Could Cost Members of Congress from New York City Area Older Voters

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Apr 08, 2013, 09:20 ET

NYC Voters 50+ Oppose Chained CPI, Say Social Security Should Not Be Cut to Reduce the Deficit – Cuts Would Cost NYC Area Social Security Beneficiaries & Vets $2.5 Billion

NEW YORK, April 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today AARP New York released a new survey finding 67 percent of New York City's 50+ voters would be considerably less favorable to their member of Congress or Senator if the member voted for a chained or superlative CPI proposal, expected to be in the President's budget proposal this week. The survey shows that 88 percent of New York voters age 50+ oppose the highly unpopular idea of idea of reducing Social Security benefits to reduce the deficit.

Based on the latest data from the Congressional Budget office, under a chained CPI, New Yorkers stand to lose $8.46 billion statewide in Social Security, veterans' disability and military pension benefits and more than $2.5 billion in the New York City area (Bronx: $369 million; Brooklyn: $645 million; New York: $600 million; Queens: $701 million; Staten Island: $210 million) over the next 10 years.

"This cut to Social Security would break the promise to New York seniors and hurt veterans who've sacrificed so much for this great country," said AARP Beth Finkel, State Director for AARP New York. "The chained CPI reduction snowballs over time and would increase taxes for most New York taxpayers - at the same time that it cuts benefits for children, veterans, widows, retirees, and people with disabilities. As this survey shows, older New Yorkers oppose the chained CPI and they've historically made their opinions known to their elected officials."

Results of the New York City area survey on the impact of chained CPI include:

69% of New York City area voters 50+ would be less favorable towards their Member of Congress if they voted for a chained or superlative CPI.
73% of New York City voters 50+ oppose reducing the annual benefit increase retired and disabled veterans receive by changing the way the cost of living increase is calculated for veterans' benefits.
90% of 50+ voters in the state believe it's very important that benefits are not reduced for today's seniors.
50% of voters 50+ New York City voters oppose increasing taxes for most taxpayers by changing the way the tax code is adjusted for inflation through chained CPI. However, 15% said they do not know if they support or oppose this, indicating there is little public understanding of how the chained CPI would affect a person's taxes.
88% oppose reducing Social Security benefits to reduce the deficit.
84% believe that the future of Social Security should be considered separately from the budget deficit discussions (87% Democrats, 82% Republicans, 85% Independents).

The results of the full New York City Chained CPI survey can be found here http://bit.ly/YAFrL7. Woelfel Research, an independent research firm, conducted 499 interviews of registered voters age 50+ in the five boroughs of New York from March 27 – April 3, 2013. This survey has a margin of sampling error of +/- 4.4%.

For more AARP New York resources and information on the impact of the chained CPI, please visit www.earnedasay.org or www.aarp.org/ny.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP VIVA, a bilingual news source. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

SOURCE AARP New York State