Social Security Town Hall Set for Sarasota, Manatee

Tampa Bay area residents with questions about the state of Social Security might want to head to Sarasota Thursday.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan has announced a town hall meeting with Social Security Administration Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin.

Colvin is expected to address questions from residents.

Colvin’s visit to the region comes on the heels of an announcement that there will be no increase in benefits next year for Social Security recipients, federal retirees and disabled veterans. This is the third time in 40 years the government has announced a decision against providing a cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, CNBC reported. No COLA adjustments for 2016 are being blamed on falling gas prices.

“I’m pleased that Commissioner Colvin has accepted my invitation to address the residents of Sarasota and Manatee counties,” Buchanan said. “I wanted seniors in our region to have a chance to meet the person who runs one of the most important federal programs in the nation.”

Buchanan represents Florida’s 16 District, which is home to the second-highest number of Social Security beneficiaries in the country at more than 217,000.

“Protecting Social Security is one of my highest priorities,” said Buchanan, who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee. “Seniors have worked their entire lives with the promise of a safe retirement and it is vital that we preserve the program for today’s beneficiaries and future generations.”

Residents who want to attend the town hall are asked to RSVP online or by calling 941-951-6643. The town hall takes place at New College’s Sudakoff Conference Center at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15. The center is located at 5845 General Dougher Pl. in Sarasota.