newssnotes Notch Babies Hover Closer To Poverty (NAPSA)—Seniors known as “Notch Babies,” who were born from 1917 through 1926, may hover at or closer to poverty this year, found a national seniors’ organization. According to a recent study for TREA Senior Citizens League (TSCL), even persons whoretired with average benefits at age 65 in 1984 would receive only $9,558 this year in Social Security. Notch Babies now receive lower benefits than other senior citizens. Individuals with incomes at or below $8,860, and couples with incomes at or below $11,940 are considered living at or below poverty level in the United States, according to the 2002 Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines. Notch Babies receive lower benefits than other seniors with similar work and earnings re- cords, because of changes made to Social Security in 1977 when the Social Security Trust Fund was running out of money. “Clearly the time has comefor correcting the Notch disparity,” declares George Smith, the Chairman of TSCL. “The Notch Fairness Act would provide Notch Babies with their choice of a lump-sum of $5,000 paid in four annual installments or improved monthly benefits,” said Smith. “This would make a much needed down-payment toward health care costs and help lift a growing number of older seniors out of poverty. Contact your representative and senators to ask them to co-sponsor The Notch Fairness Act.” For more free information on this issue and the organization, contact TREA Senior Citizens League, Department N20401, 909 N. Washington St., Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314, or visit www.tscl.org.
