In 2012, the majority of married and unmarried elderly beneficiaries rely on Social Security for at least 50% of their income; almost one-half of the unmarried elderly rely on Social Security for 90% or more of their income.
Do not reduce or eliminate the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in Social Security benefits as a bartering point in the so-called "fiscal cliff" deal. The cost-of-living adjustment is essential to keep pace with inflation and to prevent elderly Social Security beneficiaries from falling year after year into poverty.