As the debate over Social Security Reform heats up this year, we want you to keep in mind some key points to remember.

Guaranteed Benefits. Currently, Social Security benefits are not a sure thing. They can be cut by Congress on a whim. Congress has used Social Security dollars for other projects – including pork barrel spending. For years, RetireSafe has supported legislation that would provide a certificate of guarantee to Social Security beneficiaries.

COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment). Seniors annual cost-of-living-adjustments are calculated based on the spending habits of younger workers. The formula used doesn’t account for increased spending on health insurance, long-term care or prescription drugs. For decades, the government has maintained an “experimental” index that tracks seniors true cost of living. Legislation is introduced in every Congress to base seniors COLAs on their actual cost of living – and still, Congress refuses to vote on it. Instead, they recently heard testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan urging them to cut the COLA even further.

While seniors struggle to pay more and more each year for gas, health care, and groceries, Congress allows the injustice of an average 2% increase each year. Meanwhile, they vote themselves a pay raise annually! Aren’t raises only supposed to be given to people who are doing a good job?

Repeal Double Tax. Seniors are subject to unfair taxation during their retirement years. After spending their whole lives paying taxes to the government – the IRS still gets to tax 85% of their Social Security benefits if their retirement earnings reach a certain level. To put it in a nutshell – even your taxes get taxed. We’re working hard in Washington to stop this unfair taxation.

Abolish the Early Retiree Earnings Limit. Early retirees who continue to work are penalized for doing so by earning limits. The limit taxes seniors at an outrageous amount – more than many multi-millionaires. Like a hamster running in a wheel, seniors can’t get ahead and develop a solid nest egg or inheritances for future generations. This is no way for Congress to treat those who have paid into the system their entire lives.

Prohibit Totalization. Last June, the Social Security Administration signed a totalization treaty with Mexico. The agreement would allow millions of illegal immigrants to collect Social Security benefits. This is a slap in the face to older Americans who worked hard their whole lives yet continue to struggle on their current benefit. Tell your Congressman to oppose this treaty.

No New Taxes. Social Security Reform is sorely needed, but not at the expense of the American taxpayer. In fact, payroll taxes have been raised 40 times since the program began. Instead, Congress should curb their wasteful spending habits.

No Benefit Cuts. Today’s seniors and near retirees should not face benefit cuts in order to stabilize the program. Beware of any Congressman who says otherwise! Again, Congress needs to control its spending – not punish America’s retirees.

Principles for PRAs. Ask about the COW

Control addresses the principle of individual responsibility – the fact that Americans are not as stupid as politicians would like to believe, and that if government would just get off our backs we are capable of making good choices for ourselves.

Ownership is about Personal Retirement Accounts: About keeping some of what we have earned and having an account that Congress can’t spend on its own whims and pet projects. It’s OUR money to be kept in OUR account. That should be a simple concept anyplace but Washington.

Wealth means the ability to accumulate money to use and pass on to our heirs. If we are unfortunate enough to die before we retire, or soon afterward, what we paid in should go to our heirs – not to the politicians.