A Collective Voice for Latinos

AARP commends Wilmington’s Latin American Community Center (LACC) for their important work to educate and inform members of the community about social security. On June 28, the LACC hosted a very special event for a diverse crowd of nearly 100 community members and leaders to learn about and discuss a range of issues pertinent to social security today.

A panel of experts including AARP, National Council of La Raza, Latinos for a Secure Retirement, the National Academy of Social Insurance and the Social Security Administration discussed a range of issues such as challenges facing older Americans and low-income recipients; and how Latinos can play a role in protecting social security.

Why are we interested? It’s simple. The U.S. Latino population is the fastest growing ethnic group in the nation. In 2010, Latinos represented more than 16 percent of Americans. Many Latinos work for years to earn social security benefits in preparation for retirement. Most Latinos in America are relatively young, and they will comprise a large portion of social security recipients well into the future.

Latinos and all of us need to know that social security is there. Language barriers and misinformation can often cause confusion. Some may believe that social security is in jeopardy, but that is a myth. With no changes, Social Security actuaries project that the program can pay out all promised benefits for the next 26 years and about 75 percent of scheduled benefits after 2037. Because many Latino men and women rely on social security as their primary source of income, they need to know that someone is advocating for them and their families.

The Latin American Community Center is and will continue to be a great consumer advocate, community partner, and strong voice for social security. AARP believes the LACC should be commended for their work to help those who need it most.

Lucretia Young AARP State Director Jeanne Nutter AARP State President