nications
For further inquiry, contact American Association of Retired Persons • Office of Commu
1909 K Street. N. W. • Washington. DC 20049 • (202) 728-4300
CONTACT: Evelyn Morton
(202) 728-4727
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 1989
TO ADMINISTER
AARP SUPPORTS ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY
SOCIAL SECURITY
ns (AARP)
WASHINGTON, D.C. ~ The American Association of Retired Perso
tive Andrew
today urged Congress to pass legislation introduced by Representa
l Security and
Jacobs (D-lnd.) to create an independent agency to administer Socia
Supplemental Security Income.
on Social
During testimony before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee
that the Social
Security, AARP's Chairman of the Board, Erling Johnson, noted
ut independent
Security Administration (SSA) is the largest federal agency witho
status.
ficiaries and
"An agency which directly serves the needs of over 38 million bene
stable and
indirectly touches the lives of almost all Americans needs strong,
independent leadership, 11 said Johnson.
are not in
He emphasized the current vulnerability of SSA to policies which
that SSA staff
the best interests of beneficiaries, noting the devastating impact
icans.
reductions have had on the delivery of service to million of Amer
rtance,"
"Budget gimmickry has no place in a program of such vital impo
recognize that the
explained Johnson, "An independent Social Security agency would
e and their
program represents a social contract between the American peopl
government which has lasted over 54 years."
. The
AARP is the nation's largest organization of Americans 50 or older
ership benefits,
nonprofit, nonpartisan organization offers a wide range of memb
and community
legislative representation at federal and state levels, and edcational
teers and local
service programs carried out through a national network of volun
or part-time.
chapters. One-third of the Association's members work full-time
AARP is based in Washington, D.C.
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