Paid Family Leave for All Workers Would Help Seniors
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–January 20, 2015. The following statement was issued tonight by Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans:
“Members of the Alliance for Retired Americans listened to President Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night and voiced satisfaction with what they heard.
“The Alliance believes that paid family leave for all workers would benefit seniors, because their caretakers are often their working-adult children. Allowing medical leave for those caregivers would get the sick back to health more quickly, while also bringing the U.S. more in line with what other developed nations around the world allow.
“The expansion of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), while well-intentioned, is not our preferred solution for improving retirement security. Retirees agree with those who say that ‘you can’t save what you don’t earn.’
“An increase in the minimum wage, which the President supports, would do more for future retirement security. Higher wages would allow for more retirement savings and improve retirees’ Social Security earnings. A higher minimum wage would also mean more money being paid into the Social Security Trust Fund, improving solvency projections. Overall, we need a new economy that works for all where increased productivity leads to higher wages.
“The Alliance does not support Fast Track trade authority. Proposed Fast Track legislation includes provisions that empower foreign drug makers to challenge drug pricing and preferences in programs like Medicare and Medicaid. That would raise drug costs for all Americans, especially hurting seniors. It could also delay the introduction of generics into the market, in turn raising drug prices.
“We are relieved that the President did not mention support for the chained CPI cut to earned Social Security benefits. Now, we must work to expand Social Security benefits.”
Source: www.retiredamericans.org
