Contributor ⭐

Share your concerns about Social Security

Forum|Forum|14 years ago
September 27, 2011
337 replies
187704 views

1) In the article, Social Security Fears, many Social Security myths are addressed. What concerns you the most about Social Security?

This topic has been closed for replies.

AARPMillerAuthor

Contributor ⭐

1) In the article, Social Security Fears, many Social Security myths are addressed. What concerns you the most about Social Security?

M

mw7094

Contributor ⭐

Why, we have not had that income every yr. yet have had our social security taxed every yr.? There are supposed to be income limits. We always get a form, and we always fill in the taxes right and we always get taxed even if do not make the top income. Have always, every yr, paid taxes on my social security, disability income, and only one yr made the amount of money like it explains for this yr. so we have had my disability income always taxed even if didnt make the income that requires the tax plus the state of ohio, has always changed it every yr. and taxes us always more and they were not allowed to do that either. I am getting charged for someones income. or something is very wrong, but every yr. always taxed. That is by the instructions and receiving the forms in the mail and then i get double hit by the state on non taxable income.

P

Powderhorn63

Contributor ⭐

I am new to receiving Social Security. Last week I went to the grocery store and bought staples, many of which were not previously prepared foods. When I arrived home, I went to my files and checked the same 19 items that I purchased this time last year and found that I had paid 30% more this year than last for the same items. Gasoline has increased almost double (average) in the last 12 months. Most federal employees, including US Congressmen, have received cost of living increases. Some in the amount of 16% increase in one year, as per the US News reported on television. I have been told that the Social Security recipients have NOT received even a cost of living increase for at least three years (as per local recipients).

Is there a chance that this inequity of passing out increases will be addressed? And When?

Jack V. Smith

B

bg3163

Contributor ⭐

Re: Share your fears about Social Security

1

19krake66

Contributor ⭐

Will we ever see an increase in our Social Secuirty again to help the rising cost of living.

Darlene Krake

B

bstjohn

Contributor ⭐

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..

W

WOT4

Contributor ⭐

The government has always "borrowed" from the fund if that is what you call the fund's investments. Without this investing/borrowing the fund would really be in trouble. The US Treasury has always paid its obligations and will continue to do so.

D

dlittleones

Contributor ⭐

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

B

bobcox

Contributor ⭐

The problem is that COLA idgnors two essential cosrt factors, food and fuel. For the purpose of providing Senior Citizens whgo are primarily on Social Secrity, increasses in food costs and fuel costs can present a hardship or put thim into the difficult position of having toask for financial assistance. The COLA for Social Security calculation should be dynamically recalculated each qukarter and thke Social Security Payments adjusted accordingly.

D

dlittleones

Contributor ⭐

Are they ever going to stop the freeze on SS. I am living on $40.00 a week after the bills are paid. thats not much for drugs food Gas for car and anything extra.

D.L. Anderson

V

vc79014255

Contributor ⭐

I am trying to live on $1,218.00 a month. I have nothing left after I pay my bills. I was married for 21 years to my now EX- husband. When can I claim on his SS ?

GailL1

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

@vc79014255 wrote:
I am trying to live on $1,218.00 a month. I have nothing left after I pay my bills. I was married for 21 years to my now EX- husband. When can I claim on his SS ?

Here is some reading material that should answer all your questions.

From the AARP:

AARP 09/09/2013 Social Security Mailbox -   Divorce and Social Security Benefits

There was a good blog advice / help article in the Huffington Post just the other day about this:

Huffington Post 08/20/2015 Retirement Planner: Benefits For Your Divorced Spouse

and here is the Social Security Administration page on just this subject:

Social Security.gov - Retirement Planner: Benefits For Your Divorced Spouse

IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna

F

featherduster

Contributor ⭐

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

That we do not get cost of living increase, we just get by and when we don't get that increase we have to give up something to make ends met and it is not buying a new car.

J

juneen5230

Contributor ⭐

I have been on SS Disability for the past two years, and I am currently 62 years old. My husband will be retiring in the next two years from a company that I have been on his medical insurance. All I can find is that 3 months prior to me turning 65 that I should plan on applying for Part B and Part D. When he retires he will go onto his Medicare but I will not be of age yet to get these other parts for mine. Will I be able to apply also at that time for the other parts that I do not receive or do I have to wait the next two years to be placed on full Medicare? Without calling the SS office the directions are very confusing.

J

jl49185425

Contributor ⭐

This is in reply to post 9 from Juneen:

You become eligible for Medicare effective with the 25th month of SS disability entitlement, regardless of age. So, you're either already eligible, or will be very soon. There is no charge for Part A of Medicare, and enrollment is automatic if you're already receiving benefits. You'll probably want to apply for optional parts B & D as well.

G

GetRealQuick

Contributor ⭐

GOP Front runner Cain's 999 plan calls for abolishing Social Security and Medicare (New York Times, 11/13/11). Perry has called SS a ponzi scheme and unlawful. The GOP is against SS and Medicare by principle and would love to abolish/privatize them, as soon as they get in power, whether it be 2012, 2016, 2020, etc. And I don't believe their promises of not affecting those currently 50 or greater. They have a proven record of flip flopping and it is often a part of their plan. SO this issue is not going away; it is dangerous for us, and is dangerous for future generations.

Should they get elected and abolish/privatize Social Security and Medicare, it will be a stupendous, catastrophic, disaster for the 10s of millions of poor and disabled elderly. Their only choice will be to wheel themselves out to th the trashcan and wait to die. This is the GOP plan for America in the 21st century, whether we like it or not. The day they get the power will be the day they begin their dismantling project.

What is out only rational response? Is it to wheel ourselves out to the trashcan to die in misery? Of course not! We must therefore demand the Right To Die via a $99.00 Death Drug (we don't want any ahandouts). This is our only rational response because this "Dead Deal", the opposite of the New Deal, of the GOP is coming and nobody can stop it. Therefore we must do the only rational thing and demand the Right to Die. This is the unavoidable future of America.

D

dd44792708

Contributor ⭐

I feel people coming to this country from where ever, should NOT be allowed to collect social security benifits. Most imigrants have never put anything into the system, but are allowed to collect off of the hard working people as myself, who is now being told i have to work years longer to collect. I have worked for over 40 years now , and the age limit continues to climb upward , so we can continue to pay for unwanted outsiders to come and be allowed by the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT to benifit. Awlful

B

bunny5580

Contributor ⭐

DD, you're listening to incorrect information. The only person who can collect s/s benefits without paying in is a spouse who was married ten years or longer. They are allowed to collect 50% of their spouse's benefits, while that spouse collects 100%. No one who has not worked at least ten years and has at least 40 credits is drawing social security. It's a myth perpetutated by the far fringes of one party and it's only meant to bring in votes and enrage people.

The age limit is not climbing at this point. The revamping was done by President Reagan in 1983 and the age hasn't increased since that time. He set the birth years and the time we'd be eligible for full retirement benefits. That should be enough info if you'd like to do research on his entire restructuring of s/s. He also added in that at certain income levels, 50% would be taxed and at a higher income level, 85% would be taxed. None of this has changed since 1983.

DD, you're correct on the candidates who want to eliminate both programs. There are others and they all belong to the same party. Let's all choose carefully when we vote so we aren't voting against our own best interests. Keep in mind which party started Social Security and Medicare and which party is trying to abolish it. Stop listening to what you hear at the coffee shop or on certain news channels. Do your own research and listen to the speeches of the candidates, go to their websites to see what their plans for our generation are.

Adopt an older pet. Help them remember what it feels like to be loved.

G

Golfnutoo

Contributor ⭐

To keep SS solvent we should demand an immediate end to Obama's cuts in the SS taxes paid by current workers. Is this part of a plot to kill SS by cutting funds available for payments? Everyone knows the SS fund is in trouble. He is only making it worse. I paid FICA and my employer matched it every year. Now when the economy is in trouble OBAMA cuts the money available to make SS payments.

S

SCAMOCARE

Contributor ⭐

I just began receiving my SS "benefit" payments. SS is not a benefit. It's money that We've paid to SS all our working lifes. I'm 64 and have been paying into SS for 48 years, not as long a some but, longer than the most. I'm outraged that I will be taxed on my "benefits." My wife, who is younger than me, will be making more than $30,00 per year causing my SS to be taxed. Some of you talk about not getting increases which is a just argument. How about not taxing our "benefits" at all. Like all taxes, it's money that we have been forced and coerced into paying. Now illegal aliens will be receiving money from SS. What a ripoff!!! I just want MY money back.

Yours in solidarity,

Ripped Off Ron

.

D

dm8830

Contributor ⭐

Unfortunately, it's *not* your money once the government gets it. I know that's what they always imply, but legally, it isn't.

U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Americans have no contractual rights regarding Social Security benefits. In 1960 (Flemming v. Nestor), the court said, "To engraft upon the Social Security system a concept of accrued property rights would deprive it of the flexibility and boldness in adjustment to ever changing conditions which it demands".

The government will either stiff us outright or, more likely, cowardly politicians will pretend to honor their promises by printing so much extra money to write the checks that the dollar will be worth pennies.

Sign up

Login with SSO

Login to the community

Login with SSO