My grandfather recently informed me of the Notch as he and his brother are Notch Babies. Can you please tell me of any new (or hopefully upcoming) developments in the reform? - Nadine P.
This has been a major year for progress on Notch Reform. A 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 that the issue of survivors of Notch babies also needed to be addressed." A staff member of a Democratic Member of Congress said that "the Notch needs to be fixed. We need to put everything on the table with Social Security reform." A staff member of a House Ways and Means Committee member stressed that "Social Security reform must be comprehensive (to include Notch) reform with bipartisan support."
"The Notch Fairness Act" (H.R. 615), introduced by Representative Ralph Hall (TX), may exceed the number of co-sponsors in the last session of Congress when it had the highest level of support ever. "The Notch Fairness Act" would allow seniors born from 1917 through 1926 or their survivors a choice of receiving $5,000 payable in four annual installments, or a higher monthly benefit.
Because Notch Reform is much more likely to be considered as part of a more comprehensive Social Security reform bill however, the prospects for enactment of "The Notch Fairness Act" this year became bogged down with the debate over Social Security solvency and private accounts. The fate of Notch Reform is not over, however, because Congressional leadership is vowing to deal with Social Security reform.
Notch Babies and their families have every reason to be hopeful. Through the efforts of folks like your grandfather and uncle, the support to correct the Notch has never died despite opponents' relentless efforts to kill it. Through dedicated efforts to contact Members of Congress, progress continues to be made for Notch Reform. TSCL is also fighting to ensure that future Social Security legislation not only contains provisions to correct the Notch, but avoids giving birth to new generations of Notch Babies as well.
We thank Notch babies for their efforts and encourage you to continue to contact Members of Congress and ask for their support for "The Notch Fairness Act."
October 2005
