Share your concerns about Social Security

[AARPMiller]

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

[floridagirl60]

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

The amount the part B is going to increase in the next two to three years.

[ChapsBoy]

My greatest fear is that the independent voters will believe the Republican propaganda and vote to privatise Social Security.  This will increase the cost and decrease the money available to those who need it the most.  Every one on Social Secupity KNOWS every time our COLA is re-assesed we get even less than what the cost of living actually is.  If they (The Republicans) were really concerned, medication would be figured into the COLA. As it is, I cannot afford to have a car, eat out, go to a show, or travle outside of my bike riding rainge.  When my arthritus gets too bad to ride a bike anymore, I'll hobble down to Republican headquarters and set myself on fire.

[dixiechilders]

That I won't be able to get it!  I worked in the business sector for 10 years, but also taught school for 28 years.  Seems if you are a teacher when you retire, you are out of luck????????????  I need to know how to approach the social security office when I apply.  Do I need to apply at 62 or wait until 66?  Will I be able to draw what my earnings reports from the social security office say I will?

[dnmohoro]

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

Lack of knowledge about SS.  It is a political issue and each side says what supports thier position at the time.  Lots of mis information and no one in congress states all the facts.  My fear is that the public who controls the votes will support the person who addresses their immediate concern without regard to all the other positions.  Also, once something is put in writing a lot of people take it as gospel truth and nothing can change their minds.  The other thing is that in the end the solution that will be decided upon will be to get rid of SS by doing nothing. It along with Medicare needs to be adjusted so that future generations who need it can get it.  Things I think need to be done is  Payment in payroll taxes have no limit,  Your income at time of retirement determines amount you get.  AS for disability insurance there should be a time limit for determining eligiability.  My brother had to have his foot amputated last December.  He applied and is still waiting for decision on eligibility.  He has tried to find out where it stands but is ignored.

[GetRealQuick]

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security:

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security : Stop believing everything you hear from the leftist media.  This is just garbage as any rational person would know if they took the time to actually check the facts.  
Posted by AbbyFred

You are saying that the NEW YORK TIMES is printing lies about Cain and Perry positions? Their positions came straight out of their books. Look it up. You need to check the facts. You need to wake up and open your eyes to what they are actually saying out loud every day and stop believing the garbage of Fox news.

[marvinjr]

Personally I fear that Social Security will not be around for my children and grandchildren and I pray that I am wrong,because if you pay into Social Security you should get what you put into it out of Social Security.
marvinjr

[marvinjr]

Personally I very concern about my children and grandchildren that Social Security might not be around for them and this my fear and I pray that this don't happen at all..
marvinjr!








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

[tsteedman]

The reason why this is being called a Ponzi scheme is because the  Government under President Johnson raided the coiffers of the Social Security.  They took al the money and spent it.  Now people that are working today are paying for people that are currently on SS.  Sooner or later the money runs out, as more and more people are living longer and they are giving the SS benifits to illeagal aliens and all the others that scheme their way to being on the dole.  If I had every penny I put into SS in my life time and was able to invest it my way (even just with interest bearing CD's)  I would be on easy street today.  I have had no cost of living increase for 3 years in my SS. and in 2012 we are finally getting it.  That is because of a major increase in Part B and in the Drug program.  There also have been smaller increases over the past 3 years.  By the time it all shakes out, we should be in the same state we were 3 years ago.  That is nothing but pure Government BS under this President.  It is time to get Obama out of this office

[BewareBias]

I have been paying into Social Security since I was 16, and that is nearly 40 years now. I am threatened and frightened by the "SuperCommittee's" charge to reduce the defecit through de-funding Social Security and Medicare. I am especially concerned when the 55 - year cut-off is thrown about as a possibility. I have worked continuously in the US my entire life in government and non-profit agencies for nearly all of that time. How could my country turn their back on me? My husband is retired from the US Army and wonders the same. Please continue to advocate for all of us who are over 50, and not just make a cut-off at age 55.  Thank you.

[Skaye1]

I retired at 62and obtained SSI. I then was determined to be disabled and now obtaining SSDI. I was on a Medicaid program after I retired, due to a MVA, and chronic illness of 54 yrs. After SSDI was proclaimed I am now unable to continue with Medicaid due to money in an IRA: they call it resources, which I am not touching until 65. My husband is unemployed at present, so I have no health coverage at all. What Am I able to do until he goes back to work? Would appreciate any helpful hints, thank-you! I live in New Mexico.

[baltwo]

In the latest AARP Bulletin, the editor, Jim Toedtman, asserts that the SS "administrative costs are practically nothing." Given the '08 admin budget was $9.6 Billion  http://www.ssa.gov/budget/2008bud.pdf and SSA employs approximately 62,000 people http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_Administration, I find $154,839 per worker is hardly nothing. This statement and most of AARP's alleged myths are unadulterated BS.

[AARPMiller]

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security:

Well, I'm on SSDI, can't work at all, and my monthly check has just been reduced by 400.00. This is due to  a new WEP process that figures your monthly payments differently than before - so I'm already freaked out - I have bills to pay and the amount I'm getting will put me in the hole - can't even afford to rejoin AARP this year......any ideas??
Posted by dougbarnes9

Hi dougbarnes9,

Did you know that AARP currently has a hardship membership offer? You can learn more about it on the AARP Job Hunting site.

[Valencia10]

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?  How do we find out what is going to be taken from our SS checks now? How can we, the retired, protect ourselves?  Who can answer and  who will?

[celemoi]

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security taxation without adjustments for inflation!:

My fear is the taxation of social security according to income.  It is one tax, the only tax that is not adjusted for inflation, never has been and it's so unfair to begin with.  We paid taxes when we paid our social security on our earnings already. When will our representatives do something to at least include "adjusting". I have written to our reps but everyone needs to do the same.
Posted by medinamg

I may be wrong, but if you look up info on ss, you will find that you have to be making a LOT of money to have your social security taxed....not an amount most of will ever make....check it out.

[celemoi]

My biggest fear about social security is that we don't always get the best, truthful information about what is really going on; who can we trust?  Republicans say one thing, Democrats another; AARP sometimes not a whole lot we can really understand....am I hopeless????

[john4774]

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security:

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security : This is all lies, but I will give you a chance to give some facts that Obama cut the amount available. There are none.
Posted by JohnnyDoxx

The rate of FICA withholding on the employees was reduced by Obama last year to 4.2% (down from 6.2%) ,the employer , in my case a small business man, still pays 6.2% into each employees fund. You don't call that cutting the amount available???...................... er waht would you cal lit?

[margaretrose45]

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

[golfergoof]

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security:

OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS DON'T CARE ABOUT US.  THAT'S A FACT.  THE ONLY THING THEY WANT FROM US IS MONEY FOR THEIR CAMPAIGNS AND OUR VOTES.  THEY GET COST OF LIVING RAISES EVERY YEAR AND SUBSTANTIAL ONES AT THAT.  WHAT DO WE GET?  FINALLY IN 2012 WE GET A LITTLE BUT OUR MEDICARE GOES UP AND IN 2013 IT'S A GIGANTIC JUMP.  WE KEEP PAYING MORE AND GETTING LESS.  LARGER DEDUCTIBLES, MORE EXPENSIVE MEDICINES, GASOLINE PRICES THAT HAVE DOUBLED, GIGANTIC PRICES ON FOODSTUFFS JUST TO LIVE.  TOO MANY BILLS HAVE THESE "ADDITIONS" FOR THEIR PET PROJECTS.  HOW ABOUT MAKING SENIORS PET PROJECTS?  WE'VE BEEN PAYING IN FOR CLOSE TO 50 YEARS AND HAVE TO BEG FOR THE PITTANCE WE RECEIVE.  MEDICAL CARE SHOULD BE FREE.  WE DON'T CHOOSE TO GET SICK.  ALL DOCTORS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ACCEPT MEDICARE.  WHY SHOULD ONLY THE RICH HAVE ACCESS TO SUPERIOR MEDICAL CARE?   IT'S THE SAME WITH LEGAL REPRESENTATION.  THE RICH HIRE THE BEST AND LITERALLY GET AWAY WITH MURDER.  OH WELL, NEEDED TO VENT.  DOES ANYONE ELSE FEEL THIS WAY? DOTTIE
Posted by DOTSLA

Yes Dottie, I agree with a lot of what many people are saying. I have not yet retirement age and try not to follow politics too closely, but there appears to be some very knowledgeable individuals that have posted here so I will put some beliefs that I have in this forum and they can either confirm the validity of them or enlighten me with their knowledge. I believe that in our political system, that once an individual get elected to congress, they get a very lucrative retirement package when they retire or leave the political arena. This happens even if they only serve a single term. I have no idea who it was, but I recall in the news not long ago a politician was asked to resign and in doing so negotiated keeping their retirement package by resigning. The retirement amount was in the six figures. That individual was someone involved with some type of misconduct. Now, a regular politician, who doesn't care about their constituents and/or don't get re-elected because we vote them out really don't have much to worry about because there is a special retirement fund that congress gets their retirement benefits from, not the Social Security Administration. I think that if we really want the congress to get some creative ideas as to how to get social security more fair and lucrative for all of us, that all politicians need to get their social security benefits from the same fund we do and with the same COLA that we do. I guarantee that even if congress doesn't look out for us they will surely look out for themselves. I would appreciate it if the if our Forum Community will enlighten me as to whether or not what I believe is correct and if not please help set me straight. Thanks 

[SunnyB10]

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?

I waited until I was 66 to begin receiving my Social Security, for which I have WORKED all these years.
And I am highly incensed every time some politician or economist calls Society Security an "entitlement."
(Boo . . . hiss!!)   And I was even more incensed to read in The Washington Post's Sunday article of 10/31/11
about Social Security that the government has used ALL of the funds from the Social Security Trust Fund.  Do we TRUST the U.S. government to pay back with interested, as required, these funds any time soon?  I know I sure don't. 

Because of this economy, I am still working full-time at 68 years old and see no end in sight unless I
become too ill to work.   

Your thoughts?

Dianne B

[JohnnyDoxx]

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security:

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. 
Posted by Golfnutoo

This is all lies, but I will give you a chance to give some facts that Obama cut the amount available. There are none.

[sandraporcelain39]

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

What will happen to the many seniors who have little or no savings?  No children that can help, do we just disappear?

[medinamg]

My fear is the taxation of social security according to income.  It is one tax, the only tax that is
not adjusted for inflation, never has been and it's so unfair to begin with.  We paid taxes when
we paid our social security on our earnings already.

When will our representatives do something to at least include "adjusting".

I have written to our reps but everyone needs to do the same.

[DOTSLA]

OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS DON'T CARE ABOUT US.  THAT'S A FACT.  THE ONLY THING THEY WANT FROM US IS MONEY FOR THEIR CAMPAIGNS AND OUR VOTES.  THEY GET COST OF LIVING RAISES EVERY YEAR AND SUBSTANTIAL ONES AT THAT.  WHAT DO WE GET?  FINALLY IN 2012 WE GET A LITTLE BUT OUR MEDICARE GOES UP AND IN 2013 IT'S A GIGANTIC JUMP.  WE KEEP PAYING MORE AND GETTING LESS.  LARGER DEDUCTIBLES, MORE EXPENSIVE MEDICINES, GASOLINE PRICES THAT HAVE DOUBLED, GIGANTIC PRICES ON FOODSTUFFS JUST TO LIVE.  TOO MANY BILLS HAVE THESE "ADDITIONS" FOR THEIR PET PROJECTS.  HOW ABOUT MAKING SENIORS PET PROJECTS?  WE'VE BEEN PAYING IN FOR CLOSE TO 50 YEARS AND HAVE TO BEG FOR THE PITTANCE WE RECEIVE.  MEDICAL CARE SHOULD BE FREE.  WE DON'T CHOOSE TO GET SICK.  ALL DOCTORS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ACCEPT MEDICARE.  WHY SHOULD ONLY THE RICH HAVE ACCESS TO SUPERIOR MEDICAL CARE?   IT'S THE SAME WITH LEGAL REPRESENTATION.  THE RICH HIRE THE BEST AND LITERALLY GET AWAY WITH MURDER.  OH WELL, NEEDED TO VENT.  DOES ANYONE ELSE FEEL THIS WAY?

DOTTIE

[bogeysone]

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

I feel if we get ride of obama things may look up a little,also need to fire reed and pelosi. we are going to get a small raise in 2012,and and raise of $3.30 to medicare,but there are some more in the house and senate that needs to go.

[LaVonne57]

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security:

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security : Wrong! Get your "facts" straight. The COLA effective Jan. 3 is 3.2%, not 6%. 
Posted by iamcharlie

Thank you for the correction.  I apologize.  As I said it was probably wishful thinking.  

[LaVonne57]

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security:

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security : The COLA in January will be 3.6%, not 6%.  The formula for COLAs was established a long time ago (I think in the '70s).  The formula requires no increase when the inflation rate is 0 or less.
Posted by shlmstr

I apologise.  You are correct.  It will be a 3.6% raise not a 6% raise as I stated.  I guess it was wishful thinking.  However 3.6% is even worse than what I thought!  I believe they need to re think that ancient formula.  It's  2011 now not the 1970's!  

[iamcharlie]

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security:

In January 2012 all Social Security recipients will receive a 6% cost of living raise.  I am on Social Security Disabilty since the age of 56.  My check isn't all that big to start with.  That will give me a raise of about $20 per month and then of course the cost of Medicare is going to go up also in January.  My medical supplement already went up $17 and my RX coverage is going up another $10 starting in January.  I'd like to know how the government considers this a reasonable cost of living raise when everything has gone up much  more than the measly 6% in the 3 years that we did not get a raise! How would all those big shots in the senate feel about a 6% raise in 3 years?  They wouldn't like it a bit!  But they don't hesitate to kick the elderly and disabled in the teeth when their down.  THEY took OUR money!  Now they don't want to pay it back so they sit around thinking up ways that they can keep from giving it to us. 
Posted by LaVonne57

Wrong! Get your "facts" straight. The COLA effective Jan. 3 is 3.2%, not 6%. 

[dougbarnes9]

Well, I'm on SSDI, can't work at all, and my monthly check has just been reduced by 400.00. This is due to  a new WEP process that figures your monthly payments differently than before - so I'm already freaked out - I have bills to pay and the amount I'm getting will put me in the hole - can't even afford to rejoin AARP this year......any ideas??

[cat16us]

I just lost my Medical due to the cost of living increase,now I do not have any medical insurance. What are seniors too do ?

[Roxanna35]

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security:

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. 
Posted by Golfnutoo

It is amazing to see in this thread the amount of unthruths that you have posted in just one paragraph. do everyone a favor and if you really think that you have posted veritable information, please, provide facts to what you are saying.

To anyone else, reading this person's comments, please research on your own, and see that what he has stated is nothing but a lot of his own imagination.