Many members of TSCL are telling us they have not seen an increase in their Social Security benefits in recent years because the jumps in Medicare premiums have totally offset it. This is particularly a problem for seniors with lower benefits — wives who receive a spousal benefit based on their husband's account, widows, and many Notch Babies. Virtually every Notch Baby we hear from agrees they could use $5,000 or a higher monthly benefit.

The Notch Fairness Act (H.R. 615) introduced by Ralph Hall (TX) is on track to get more cosponsors in this session of Congress (109th) than it got in the last session of Congress when it had the highest level of support yet. Recently, one key staffer to a senior Republican Member of Congress told us that "the Notch is on the list of things to discuss regarding Social Security Reform, and the issue of survivors of Notch Babies also needs to be addressed."

A key staff member of a senior Democratic Congressman recently told us, "the Hall Notch bill got the most co-sponsors I have ever heard of in ten years on the Hill."

Representative Ralph Hall, sponsor of "The Notch Fairness Act," said that he has high hopes for passage in this session and that he will do everything he can to get the issue before those working on Social Security reform. He also expressed his hope that H.R. 615 could be brought up for a vote in this session of Congress.

Since the early 1980's the federal government has known about the Social Security Notch. Seniors who were born from 1917 through 1926 receive lower Social Security benefits than other seniors with similar work and earnings history. The disparity was caused by a 1977 law which changed the indexing of the Social Security benefit formula — a change similar to a benefit formula overhaul now under debate.

In 1994, the federal government hoped to write off Notch Babies by establishing a Commission on the Notch. The Commission was charged with examining whether those born during the Notch years had been treated unfairly, but it was stacked with persons on the record as opposing a correction. Consequently, it came as little surprise that the Commission found that, although the new benefit adjustment method was flawed, "benefits paid to those in the Notch years are equitable, and no remedial legislation is in order."

At that time several groups that supported a correction of the Notch dropped it to focus their attention on other pressing issues. That left TREA Senior Citizens League as the only national nonpartisan organization to continue to fight for a resolution. Since that time TSCL has supported and has fought for Notch legislation, including "The Notch Fairness Act." The legislation would allow persons born from 1917 through 1926 the option of choosing $5,000 payable over a four-year period, or a higher monthly benefit.

Notch Babies like Joe who sent us the comments above make all the difference. Members of Congress frequently remark on the amount of mail they receive from Notch Babies who are members of TSCL and who often return post cards and sign our petitions demanding an end to the Notch. Your requests to your Representative to co-sponsor "The Notch Fairness Act" helps us to gain their support. 

We appreciate the confidence you have placed in us and we continue to push for a resolution to the Notch and passage of "The Notch Fairness Act."

September 2005