ldunbar@nul.org

Washington, DC, May 12, 2000–Without Social Security benefits, not only would there be more children living in poverty, their degree of poverty would be much greater, a report released today by the National Urban League reveals.

In an analysis of the overall effect of Social Security benefits on poverty rates for families with children, the National Urban League’s report, The Impact of Social Security On Child Poverty, reveals that White families with children experienced the greatest reduction in poverty (5%) as a result of receiving Social Security benefits. African-American families had the second highest reduction (3%) and Latino families the lowest (2%).

In other words, if these families had not received Social Security benefits, 63% of White families would be in poverty, as would 71% of African-American families and 75% of Latino families. Clearly, Social Security is an important source of income to these families.

"Arguments in the debate over Social Security privatization miss one very important mark: the impact of the program on those Americans who rely on survivor or disability benefits to supplement modest to meager incomes," said National Urban League President Hugh B. Price.

For a copy of the League’s report, The Impact of Social Security On Child Poverty, call 212-558-5438 or send an e-mail toldunbar@nul.org .

Founded in 1910, the National Urban League is a nonprofit organization whose 115 affiliates in 35 states and the District of Columbia provide direct services focused on empowering African-Americans to achieve economic, academic and racial equality. The League’s headquarters is located at 120 Wall Street in New York City.