August 13, 2026

Letter: Notch babies are getting shortchanged

William L. Green magnanimously offered to pass on the proposed Notch Fairness Act of $5,000. Since he has a pension from Florida as well as Social Security, he obviously doesn't need the money.

Further, he states that the majority of notch babies depend on food stamps, subsidized housing and many other benefits. What other benefits he didn't say. There are many more young people in the stores with food stamps than there are seniors. Subsidized housing is as scarce as hen's teeth and, there again, one finds many more families than seniors.

Notch babies paid into the system and are entitled to get what all others get. I am not a notch baby, but I fully paid into the system all my working years. However, my husband was a notch baby and, since he earned more than I did, I am collecting under his Social Security as his widow. I think I am entitled to the $5,000, which is a paltry amount after being cheated all these years.

Rent, utilities, insurance and other staples of life go up every year, and many notch babies are living hand to mouth. If Green so nobly wants to turn down his share, fine, let him donate it to the poor who need it. Just don't begrudge those who can desperately use it and who deserve it.

Florence Petris

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