5 Reasons Chained CPI Is Bad For Social Security
1. Chained CPI compounds over time.
As a result of a chained CPI, there will be a 0.3% annual cut in Social Security cost of living adjustments (COLAs). Since this compounds over time, it would end up cutting the equivalent of one full month of benefits each year from a 92-year-old beneficiary. And it’s not a small cut overall – Social Security loses $112 billion over the next 10 years.
2. The greatest impact will be on the most vulnerable older Americans.
As retirees age, they have less income, fewer financial assets, and are more dependent on Social Security. Specifically, women tend to live longer than men and tend to have lower incomes, so women and poorer households are more at risk of falling into poverty with any cuts to Social Security.
3. Benefits for disabled and retired veterans would be cut.
3.2 million disabled veterans and another 2 million military retirees would see their benefits cut if chained CPI is adopted. Permanently disabled veterans who started receiving disability benefits at age 30 would see their benefits cut by more than $1,400 a year at age 45, $2,300 a year at age 55 and $3,200 a year at age 65.
4. Chained CPI is a less accurate measure of inflation
Since retirees spend much more on medical care than working-age Americans, the current CPI calculations already underreport the rapidly increasing health care costs experienced by seniors. Moving to a chained CPI would exacerbate the gap between formula and actual costs.
5. Social Security does not drive deficits, and should not be cut as part of a budget deal.
Social Security is a separately financed, off-budget program – it is not a driver of deficits in the rest of the budget. Any changes to Social Security should be handled separately, not as part of a budget deal that focuses on near-term savings that harm current retirees.
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Here's how the budget proposal now being considered by Congress and the president could cut the value of your Social Security benefit
Most everyone has heard of the Consumer Price Index, or CPI. It's used to make the annual cost-of-living adjustments in Social Security and other federal programs that help millions of seniors keep up with inflation. But do you know about the chained CPI?
See also: Chained CPI Calculator: How much would your benefit be cut?
In an AARP whiteboard video, David Certner, AARP director of legislative policy, explains why a proposal that some politicians in Washington are pushing to cut federal spending may seem like a little thing, but in truth it could have a big impact on Social Security and veterans benefits.
http://action.aarp.org/site/http://blog.aarp.org/2013/02/11/5-reasons-chained-cpi-is-bad-for-social-security/
http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-03-2013/what-you-need-to-know-about-chained-cpi.html
