Use mass mobilization – petitions, town halls, social media – to reinforce that any cut or inadequate COLA is unacceptable.
Build sustained grassroots pressure so lawmakers treat benefit cuts or inadequate COLAs as politically unacceptable. Use petitions, town halls, rallies, and social media to elevate seniors’ lived experience and keep urgency high as solvency debates unfold. Pair public narrative with clear legislative asks so “hands off” energy translates into votes, not just attention.
Why this works
- Elected officials fear backlash from seniors (a high-turnout voting bloc).
- This pressure can deter proposals like chained CPI or raising retirement age (which is a benefit cut by another name).
National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
AdvocacyProtecting and enhancing retirement and health security for seniors
Mechanism
About GrassrootsHow National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare uses funding
- Recruit and train local leaders to run consistent actions and story collection.
- Plan coordinated actions (town halls, petitions, rallies, digital pushes) tied to decision windows.
- Sustain momentum with repeated touchpoints and clear roles for volunteers and allies.
- Build coalitions across seniors, disability advocates, and unions to increase leverage.
- Convert pressure into outcomes by aligning actions with committee, leadership, and floor timing.
Milestones
Checkpoints and the expected timing for each step
- 1
Narrative toolkit and action plan published
0–30 daysPartners align on key messages and an action cadence tied to legislative windows.
- 2
Local leader network activated
1–2 monthsLocal teams are trained and ready to run events and outreach.
- 3
Peak mobilization during decision windows
During sessionActions align with hearings and votes and generate visible lawmaker response.
- 4
Accountability and follow-through
OngoingUpdates track lawmakers’ commitments and the policy outcomes those commitments enabled.