While it is too early to tell whether the Democratic-led 110th Congress will consider Notch Reform as part of a comprehensive Social Security reform package, prospects for a stand-alone bill look better than usual. During the 109th Congress (2005-2006), TSCL helped get more co-sponsors than ever for Representative Ralph Hall's (TX) "The Notch Fairness Act." Of the 118 Notch co-sponsors, more than 100 were re-elected and have returned to the new 110th Congress.
Therefore, the year began with a solid foundation of Notch supporters in the House of Representatives. Congressman Hall re-introduced "The Notch Fairness Act" (H.R. 368) and the process of gathering co-sponsors for the bill has already begun.
Your support counts, sign TSCL's Social Security Notch Victim Constituent Petition.
"The Notch Fairness Act" would allow Notch Babies born from 1917 through 1926, or survivors who receive benefits on their account, a choice of a $5,000 lump sum, or an improved monthly benefit. TSCL estimates the legislation would cost about $27 billion and believes that cutting the government-wide rate of improper payments due to waste, fraud, and abuse would more than pay for it.
The first agency that needs to put an end to improper payments is Social Security, where the estimated rate of improper payments more than doubled in just one year — from $1.7 billion in 2004 to more than $3.6 billion in 2005. Although the cause has not been disclosed yet, TSCL believes improper payments to illegal immigrants may be a factor. Last April, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review found that the Social Security Administration "improperly processed some claims" for benefits from some immigrants who lacked valid, work-authorized Social Security numbers. Out of 19 cases examined by the GAO, the Social Security Administration improperly approved 17 for benefits. A 2004 law now mandates that immigrants must have a "work authorized" Social Security number at some point in order to claim benefits.
While this situation is clearly unacceptable, it is even more so considering the disparity in benefits received by Notch Babies. We have a new Congress to educate about the Notch issue. Please help us by contacting your Members of Congress and asking them to co-sponsor "The Notch Fairness Act" (H.R. 368). Disparities in treatment, past and present, must not be allowed to continue.
Source: "Improper Payments," GAO, November 2006, GAO-07-92. "Additional Actions Needed to Prevent Improper Benefit Payments," GAO, April 2006, GAO-16-196.
March 2007
