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Share your fears about Social Security
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Social Security
Share your fears about Social Security
<font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><div>You worked hard for it. Now talk to others on how to save Social Security.</div></font>
1) In the article, Social Security Fears , many Social Security myths are addressed. What concerns you the most about Social Security?
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Cat:7a9899c6-bb01-48a5-bd56-e73d9d7e3998Forum:17f83b76-a805-4002-b497-6dbb421b0b8a
Cat:7a9899c6-bb01-48a5-bd56-e73d9d7e3998Forum:17f83b76-a805-4002-b497-6dbb421b0b8aDiscussion:b04dcee8-e9c2-4e17-ac46-1f518c16ac6b
Forums » Work & Retirement » Social Security » Share your fears about Social Security
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Re: Share your fears about Social Security
posted at January 6, 2012 4:16 PM EST
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Posts: 1458
First: May 29, 2011 Last: March 29, 2013 |
In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security: Now that we got our 3.6%, or about $600.00 per year on average. Think about this...the people still working got a stimulus, from our Social Security Trust Fund, of about $1000.00 per year on average. They got more than us, but don't they always????. The government hates us seniors. We are, or at least will be, the economy. The government only worry about votes and kicking the can down the road. Posted by RoyBurnam You say government and I guess you're more or less right; however, where is the pressure coming from to keep down increases for social security and medicare? You'll find that the pressure is coming from the right wing...certainly you wouldn't want to blame the "socialist" for reducing benefits. Government has become a very easy target...and certainly I would agree that it is often incompetent but lets not focus on the puppet and instead focus on the puppeteer! specifically tea partiers, right wingers, and corporate America. |
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Re: Share your fears about Social Security
posted at January 9, 2012 12:35 PM EST
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Posts: 28
First: January 9, 2012 Last: April 2, 2012 |
The truth is Social Security and Medicare should be called earned benefits not entitlement programs. You don’t get these benefits as a birthright. They are based on a lifetime of payroll contributions from your work (as well as for Medicare, your ongoing premium payments). The word entitlement makes these benefits sound like something you didn’t earn and don’t deserve. Maybe that’s why lawmakers who demand cuts in Social Security and Medicare use the terms so often. We must never let our leaders forget the beneficial impact these programs have on the quality of life for older Americans and for people with disabilities. They have reduced poverty, enabled better health, played a vital role in protecting the health and economic security, not only for the most venerable, but also of the American middle class. |
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Re: Share your frustrations about Social Security applications, medical insurances at retirement
posted at January 10, 2012 9:59 PM EST
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Posts: 1
First: January 10, 2012 Last: January 10, 2012 |
I am a new retiree. I cannot believe the run-arounds and inefficiencies of the administrative staff of the SSA, health insurance and even the HR staff of the employer. Nobody seems to have the whole picture for the process. I have made a dozen trips to the above admin offices, and still have not got my SS payment, pension and med insurance straightened out. This is after literally hours of being on hold for information from these parties. I am worried because now I am on limited income, and my husbands medical and drug expenses are on my insurance - that I might inadvertently have the health coverage messed up. I have been given conflicting information, and forced into Medicare part D when my union is already paying for it. I get letters of past due payments from Medicare...is there any recourse out of this mess? I certainly feel less secure even though I was reassured otherwise prior to my retirement. On top of the the meager SS checks, I also have to pay for Medicare and health insurance, and apparently a drug plan I did not select. Why did everyone congratulate me for retiring - I am not sure. |
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Re: Share your fears about Social Security
posted at January 11, 2012 6:27 PM EST
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Posts: 9
First: July 2, 2008 Last: January 11, 2012 |
Seniors support Romney in New Hampshire was the headline today. I can only put it down to a sense of not caring for those who will come in the future. Willard and all other republicans have stated that they want to scrap the progressive programs and give the money back to big business and their supporters. Seniors need to protect what they've won for their childrem, and their children, and so on....such shortsightedness is typical of Americans, who I've always believed to be politically ignorant, and this proves all my thoughts were correct. Sadly Seniors are selling out their own progeny and they seem not to care...... |
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Re: Share your fears about Social Security
posted at January 14, 2012 10:41 AM EST
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Posts: 1923
First: November 27, 2011 Last: May 18, 2013 |
In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security: Seniors support Romney in New Hampshire was the headline today. I can only put it down to a sense of not caring for those who will come in the future. Willard and all other republicans have stated that they want to scrap the progressive programs and give the money back to big business and their supporters. Seniors need to protect what they've won for their childrem, and their children, and so on....such shortsightedness is typical of Americans, who I've always believed to be politically ignorant, and this proves all my thoughts were correct. Sadly Seniors are selling out their own progeny and they seem not to care...... Posted by stayawayray I think you better come to the realization that it does NOT matter which party is mostly in-charge at the moment - numbers don't lie and Social Security has to be shored up to stay solvent and Medicare cost have got to be contained. The manner in which these goals will be obtained may be somewhat different but either way change will come for preservation and change is often uncomfortable. |
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Re: Share your fears about Social Security
posted at January 14, 2012 11:45 AM EST
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Posts: 19
First: January 3, 2012 Last: March 4, 2013 |
In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security: I read an article that medicare premiums will go up quite a bit for 2012 and to right around $245.00 by 2013 is this true? As we see no cost of living raise in the last 3 years it must be obvious to SS if they are raising our premiums that all things cost more. Over the years the government has borrowed from the SS fund and used it for other things and has not to date paid it back. If they would pay back the funds they borrowed, maybe the fund wouldn't be in trouble today. I think this should be of major concern.. Posted by bstjohn AMEN TO THAT! I HAVE TRIED TO GET MORE INFORMATION ONN THE SO CALLED "LOAN" THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE FROM THE SOCIAL SECRUITY FUND AND WHEN AND HOW IT WILL BE REPAID....NO ONE HAS AN ANSWER, WE GET A WHOLE LOT OF MEANINGLESS MUMBO JUMBO FOR AN ANSWER. IN MY BOOK, A "LOAN" IS SUPPOSED TO BE REPAID....IF NOT REPAID...IT IS CALLED S T E A L I N G !!! |
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Re: Congress has stolen enough from Social Security & Medicare
posted at January 14, 2012 12:00 PM EST
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Posts: 19
First: January 3, 2012 Last: March 4, 2013 |
In Response to Re: Congress has stolen enough from Social Security & Medicare: Wake up retired people and tell Congress we are tired of being picked on and being taken advantage of. We constantly hear how they want to change (cut) our Social Security COBRA because it cost too much or reduce Medicare because it costs too much. We need to demand that Congress stop stealing from us and explain where all this money has gone. Example: we get our Social Security rounded off, down , after the $115.40 for Part B, in my case they keep $.60 now if you figure conservative that on the average it amounts to $.22 then for every 10 million people on Social Security that amounts to $2,200,000.00/month. At this rate they are keeping $26,400,000.00 per year for every 10 million recipients. It’s time for Congress to tell the truth, stop stealing from us and clean their own house up first before they try and take more away from us. Posted by grampy46 yYEP ! THIS IS SOOOO VERY TRUE. WHO IS GOING TO LEAD THE FIGHT?????? WHERE DO WE SIGN UP FOR THIS FIGHT??? WE BOOMERS HAVE WORKED ALL OF OUR LIVES, , CONTRIBUTED ALL OF OUR WORKING LIVES, EDUCATED OUR CHILDREN TO CONTINUE TO MAKE OUR COUNTRY GREAT. AND NOW THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO TAKE IT AWAY. SERIOUSLY...LOOK AT THESE JACKELS: MITCH MCCONNELL, JOHN BYNER, ERIC CANTOR, RYAN FROM WISCONSIN.....PLUS OTHERS. SOCAIL SECURITY IS NOT AN ENTITLEMENT, WE PAID INTO THIS! STOP GIVING IT TO THE ILLEGALS, STOP BUILDING INFASTRUCTURES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES, STOP STEALING FROM THIS FUND AND P0AY BACK WHAT YOU HAVE ALREADY TAKEN! |
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Re: Share your fears about Social Security
posted at January 14, 2012 12:16 PM EST
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Posts: 19
First: January 3, 2012 Last: March 4, 2013 |
In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security: In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security : That email that tells us about medicare costing us $245.00 was written by some jerk that just wants to scrare us all. It is $108.10 in 2012.....your response is so right. if we get a republican President, we are screwed. Look what the GOP governors have done to Wi, Ohio and Fl. and the people of those states want to recall these governors. It strikes terror in my heart just thinking of a GOP or Tea Party president. Posted by sccleo44 HERE IN MICHIGAN, OUR GOVENOR, RICK SNYDER, PROMPLY SIGNED A BILL INTO LAW, THE FIRST MONTH IN OFFICE, THAT SENIORS WOULD PAY 4.35% TAX ON RETIREMENT BENEFITS(SINGLE RETIREES MAKING $20K, MARRIED COUPLES MAKING $40K.). HE A FORMER BUSINESSMAN, CHANGED THE BUSINESS TAXES ON THE BACKS OF THE SENIORS. I AM SURE HE WILL GO BACK INTO BUSINESS WHEN HIS TEURE AS GOVERNOR IS DFINISHED...NOT SOON ENOUGH FOR ME. SPEAKING OF UNFAIR, GET THIS , ONE OF OUR FORMER GOVERNORS, JOHN ENGLER, GETS AN AUTOMATIC 4% INCREASE ON HIS PENSION BENEFIT, EVERY YEAR! LAST YEAR HE BEGAN THE YEAR WITH AN PENSION AMOUNT OF 186K THEN GOT HIS YEARLY RAISE OF 4%(($7440.00) BRINGING HIS 2011 PENSION TO $193,000.00. HE DID NOT HAVE TO SHARE THE SACRIFRICE, THIS IS WHAT RICKY SNYDER CALLS IT....SHARING THE SACRIFICE. ANY COMMENTS FROM FELLOW MICHIGAN RETIREES????? MY THOUGHTS...GET THEM OUR OF OFFICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE REPUBLICANS WANT OBAMA OUT, PERIOD, GOOD OR BAD, THEY WANT HIM OUT. |
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Re: Share your fears about Social Security
posted at January 14, 2012 12:48 PM EST
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Posts: 1923
First: November 27, 2011 Last: May 18, 2013 |
torchy616 - Social Security & Medicare are called "entitlements" because they are NOT charity as is Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid - they are called this because they are funds ENTITLED to go to the beneficiaries (tose who have contributed). Those charity government programs of Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid are overseen by the Social Security Administration and CMS respectively but the funds used in theose programs come from the US General fund and NOT from the Social Security Trust Fund or from Medicare funds. The Social Security Trust fund as of the end of last year contained a reserve of $ 2.6 Trillion dollars which has been building up since 1987 when President Reagan's SS changes went into effect to preserve the system to today. It does require tweeking every 20 - 30 years since much of the collections and spending depend on what is currently happening in our country. These reserve funds are sitting in U.S. Treasuries - we own the U.S. debt just like China, other countries, pension systems, banks and anybody who is buying U.S. treasuries. Even though the Federal Reserve is currently paying little interest on these Treasuries, they are still attractive for safety. As these Treasuries owned by the Social Security Trust fund mature, what is needed to pay beneficiaries is taken out and the rest is reinvested. The Social Security Trustee Report in 2011 stated with current conditions such as our slow economy, the payroll extension tax break for employees, the hord of baby boomers hitting the system as retirees, current funds in the system can last until 2036, after that if nothing is done, benefits could be paid at around 75 - 80%. Since this fund cannot change overnight and these same conditions that I mentioned above will continue to affect the reserve, we need to start planning long range. Reagan in the 80's upped the amount of payroll contributions in various ways & methods and the long range retirement age was raised to 66 & 67 depending on when you were born. These changes are why we have $ 2.6 Trillion in the Trust Fund today but we can use that up real fast ( in years) in paying out benefits in today's economy & the growing number of retirees. So when politicians talk about changes to shore up SS - remember, they are talking long range. Medicare is different - it is in trouble now - The part that is most problematic is Part A ( the HI or Hospital Insurance portion) but all of it has to be looked at because of cost, usage, etc. There is already privatization of many parts of Medicare - which you are paying for if you are currently in the program and opt for the private option of Medicare Advantage or even your Medicare D choice of Rx insurance. I don't know how Medicare will change - but it will change; it has to if the system is to stay vital. Instead of hearing all the whoopla that the (2) parties throw out trying to scare you, pay attention to the bills and changes that are being put forth everyday. Here is a good & independent source for news in this area - it gives information on what is happening daily. Kaiser Health News |
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Re: Share your fears about Social Security
posted at January 18, 2012 4:52 PM EST
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Posts: 20
First: January 18, 2012 Last: August 19, 2012 |
In Response to Share your fears about Social Security: 1) In the article, Social Security Fears , many Social Security myths are addressed. What concerns you the most about Social Security? Posted by AARPMiller Did you know we pay 500,000 foreigners social security benefits? Did you know that social security has a foreign office that works to provide U.S. Social Security foreign payments to new countries each year? India and Mexico are already in talks for their nationals that have worked in the U.S. to receive U.S. Social Security benefits. Most people are not aware of this and should be a major point of political discussion. Social Security has already "negotiated" with 24 countries for their nationals to get U.S. social security benefits. More are planned, and they are currently negotiating new Totalization benefits for new countries. Take action to stop/reverse this, ask your congressman/senate representative to stop the payment to foreign nationals of OUR social security. We are depleating the funds because of less and less taxes going into the system and we are further depleating them by paying foreigners our money? How can we allow this to happen? It is known to very few people that Social Security has it's own international office and conducts it's own foreign international agreements so that foreigners that have worked in the U.S. can get U.S. social security benefits. Now there are some serious issues to consider, we are not only giving benefits to foreigners through the negotiated agreements conducted by SSA, we are giving them benefits even if they do not work the required 10 years (as all Americans must do in order to collect benefits). The agreements provide that the U.S. agency takes into account the years of work the foreigners have had in their country and combined them with the U.S. years of work to calculate a U.S. benefit. I wonder why this is not widely publicized and how can the agency negotiate these international agreements without public scrutiny? Our system is going bankrupt and they are working to give out more benefits to foreigners? Their work is ongoing and has not stopped despite the latest fiancial problems that have been plaguing our country. Please educate the American public EXPOSE this prevailing and catastrophic problem to our social security. Thank you for listening. Dorothy Grunewald |
Forums » Work & Retirement » Social Security » Share your fears about Social Security
