Politics & Government

Local Residents Voice Concerns to Sen. Schumer's Over Proposed Social Security Cuts

A group of residents met with Cory Peluso, a representative of Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, a Schumer's Peekskill Office to discuss President Barack Obama's "Chained CPI" plan. The proposal would reduce cost of living increase for those on Social Securit

Armed with petition filled with more than 4,000 names, a group of local residents met with a representative at the Peekskill office of Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, Friday to discuss a plan to cut cost of living increase for individuals on Social Security.

The event, which was organized by the liberal public advocacy group of MoveOn, was meant to raise awareness on the “Chained CPI” proposal, a plan that would revised inflation adjustments to slow down annual increase in a number of government programs, including Social Security.

Find out what's happening in Peekskill-Cortlandtwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Under this plan, which could into effect in the next fiscal year if approved, the average middle-income 65-year-old would lose about $136 a year, about $560 a year at the age 75 and about $984 a year at the age of of 85.

“We were well received by Cory Peluso, who invited us into the office to hear people's stories,” said Brooke McGowen, a Peekskill resident and the organizer of Friday’s meeting. “He told us that Sen. Schumer is not in favor of the Chained CPI. One protester, Phyllis, reminded Mr. Peluso that Social Security is not a so-called "entitlement", but a fund belonging to the people who paid into it. We asked Sen. Schumer to stand up for the people and not tolerate any cuts to Social Security.”

Find out what's happening in Peekskill-Cortlandtwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

McGowen appeared at the event as an American eagle in chains ‘to illustrate the point of the chained CPI chaining part of the American people to poverty.’


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here