The Senior Citizens League members and supporters tend to be older, less affluent seniors.  They are also, to a large extent, Notch babies – those individuals who receive lower Social Security benefits because they were born in the years 1917 and immediately thereafter.  TSCL feels that this is an inequity that was brought about because of the Social Security Act Amendments enacted and signed into law in 1977. 

Just years before they were set to retire, these individuals learned that they would have significantly lower benefits than originally anticipated.  The problem only grew and compounded with the inflation that occurred in the early 1980s.  Thus, in order to make the Social Security program more equitable in general, and to correct a wrong done to Notch babies, we believe that some compensation for that injustice should be provided.

TSCL strongly supports legislation such as the Notch Fairness Act, which would provide either a $5,000 lump-sum payment (payable in four installments) or an increased monthly benefit calculation to Notch babies.  We were pleased when Congressman Ralph Hall’s legislation, H.R. 368, got a record-breaking 126 co-sponsors in the 110th Congress – more than in any other session of Congress since the lump-sum proposal was introduced. 

We will continue to educate new Members of the House and Senate about the Notch and to work with past supporters of the Notch.  With an increasing number of Notch co-sponsors during each of the last three sessions of Congress, we are hopeful that some type of Notch reform will be considered this session.