Notch Fairness Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the need to right a wrong caused by Congress in 1972 when Congress amended the Social Security Act to adjust the benefits formula to include automatic cost-of-living adjustments. Unfortunately, this new formula was flawed; it resulted in unexpected windfalls for beneficiaries born before 1917. In 1977, Congress corrected the formula, but beneficiaries born between 1917 and 1926 received significantly less than those born before and after them. Those born during these nine years are referred to as ``Notch Babies,'' and Congress has been attempting to offset this disparity since 1999. That is why I am introducing the Notch Fairness Act, which would compensate Notch Babies by providing them with either a one-time benefit of $5,000 payable over a period of four years, or monthly benefits in accordance with a new formula. Madam Speaker, fixing this disparity in benefits would not only make a real difference to our seniors who rely on this money as their main source of income, but it is the fair thing to do for seniors who were shortchanged by Congress. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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