The Bennet Record: No Social Security Increase in 2011

“Michael Bennet is content with raiding the Social Security trust fund, so he and his buddies in Washington can spend millions on their pet projects”

DENVER—Colorado’s senior citizens will go through another year without a Cost of Living Increase, or COLA, in their Social Security benefits, thanks to Washington’s out of control spending, rubberstamped by appointed Sen. Michael Bennet.

“Michael Bennet’s big spending record isn’t only going to hurt future generations of Coloradans, but is hurting senior citizens today,” said John Swarout, Buck’s campaign manager.  “Our senior citizens deserve a Senator who will fight for them, not the Washington special interests.” 

According to an AP article published today, the federal government will not grant COLA increases to 58 million Social Security beneficiaries for another year. 

While Congress has raided the trust fund for years, Bennet himself has voted repeatedly to raid the fund.  Despite these Bennet approved raids, Bennet’s budget is still $1.4 trillion short, shifting the bill onto the backs of senior citizens.

“Bennet refuses to tell Coloradans how he will help senior citizens and ensure that Social Security is solvent for generations to come.” 

Buck has released his three part plan to keep our promises to senior citizens, while guaranteeing that Social Security is sustainable for generations to come, without privatizing the system. 

Buck’s plan would ensure that the sacred promise made to current beneficiaries remains in place without changing the program.  For younger workers, Buck calls for tools to ensure that Social Security is solvent, by pegging the retirement age to life expectancy and considering means testing.  Finally, for the youngest workers and future generations, Ken wants to offer Social Security Plus.  The youngest  workers and future generations will know that Social Security is there for them as a safety net, but would be encouraged to save more through tax-preferred accounts. 

Sen. Bennet has refused to provide leadership on this important issue, even though he sits on the Senate Committee on the Aging, where he missed over 90 percent of the meetings.  

“Michael Bennet had to raid the Social Security trust fund to help him pay for his big spending.  We can’t afford another six years of Bennet’s irresponsible spending," added Swartout.

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