SPOKANE, Wash. – This month marks 90 years since Social Security was signed into law, and the AARP Washington has been celebrating with free events across the state.
Local residents gathered at the Hillyard Senior Center on August 14 to hear from various speakers on how to get the most of their Social Security benefits, ask questions and share stories of how Social Security has impacted them.
The event virtually hosted U.S. Representative Michael Baumgartner, who reaffirmed his support for Social Security in a welcome video played at the event.
“Social Security has never missed a payment since it began,” Baumgartner said. “However, due to changes in our society and workforce, Social Security recipients could have their payments reduced by about 20%. We don’t want that to happen.”
Baumgartner elaborated, “While we are celebrating the 90th anniversary of Social Security today, I hope to work in Congress to make sure that Social Security can make the full payments Americans have earned, not only for older Americans today but for our kids and grandkids tomorrow.”
Similar events were held last week in Yakima, Seattle, and Bothell.
“This isn’t a partisan issue,” AARP Washington State Director Marguerite Ro said in a press release. “Liberals, moderates, and conservatives all strongly agree—Social Security provides financial security for all Americans. Without it, the people who count on it most would truly suffer.”
Over 115,000 people in Spokane receive Social Security payments, according to the state AARP. For the entire state of Washington, that figure jumps to over 1.4 million.
For more information about AARP Washington, visit their website.
