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Social Security's Real Retirement Age Is 70 "Due to increases in Social Security's Delayed Retirement Credit, the effective retirement age is now 70, with monthly benefits reduced for earlier claiming. Benefit levels at 70 appear appropriate given that rising deductions for Medicare and greater benefit taxation have reduced Social Security's net replacement rates. The shift to 70 should be feasible for many workers given increases in lifespans, health, and education. But vulnerable workers forced to claim early will have low benefits and will be particularly harmed by any further cuts. Policymakers need to inform those who can work that 70 is the new retirement age and devise ways to protect those who cannot work." (Alicia H. Munnell, Center for Retirement Research at Boston College) Dear Ms. Munnell: You may wish to apprise your readers that neither Congress nor the Social Security Administration has altered the promise. The delayed retirement increase was envisioned as a sweetener not as a take away. It became 8% a year in 2008 as part of the 1983 amendments to the Social Security Act. That's 1983! 25 years advance notice should not be viewed as dropping a bombshell. Where ya been? Frankly, you're the first person who has even suggested that starting benefits at SSNRA is tantamount to claiming benefits early. Truly, the only protection is needed is from propagandists who wait 25 years to spin a dark web around the Social Security Program. To insinuate there is something duplicitous going on is shameful. Perhaps your time would be better spent devising educational means which responsibility you've conveniently delegated to that nebulous group called the Policymakers.

Let's not overlook the potential devastating bad press that could affect donor giving. And of course, you will be unanimously selected as the reason to serve up to the Board of Directors as to why all of this is happening.