AARP refutes reports that it has kowtowed to Social Security cuts

AARP, the lobbying group for older Americans, has refuted an article that said the organization has stopped fighting cuts to Social Security benefits. A story that ran on the front page The Wall Street Journal today said the association had a change of heart after internal debates and had decided that it would accept benefit cuts to the massive entitlement program. John Rother, AARP's policy chief, had told the Journal that “the ship was sailing. I wanted to be at the wheel when that happens. “Some of our members will no doubt be upset by any such effort,” Mr. Rother said. “But I believe most would welcome a balanced and fair proposal that could strengthen the program for future generations and possibly even improve it for current vulnerable recipients.” In a statement released this afternoon, AARP chief executive A. Barry Rand questioned the story's accuracy. “Let me be clear — AARP is as committed as we've ever been to fighting to protect Social Security for today's seniors and strengthening it for future generations,” he said. “Contrary to the misleading characterization in a recent media story,” he added. “AARP has not changed its position on Social Security.” Mr. Rand noted that the organization is fighting proposals in Washington to trim Social Security in an attempt to shore up the nation's deficit. He stressed that “long-term solvency is the key to protecting and strengthening Social Security for all generations” and that AARP believed that any changes to the program would be phased in slowly and would not affect current or near-term beneficiaries. A call to the AARP for further comment was not immediately returned. A Wall Street Journal spokeswoman did not comment and the story was unchanged on the newspaper's website at press time.