Social Security Issues

Travelinglady · Oct 29, 2023, 01:54 PM

Joe Biden Wants to Change Social Security, but His Plan Would Cost America $273 Billion

Travelinglady · Nov 03, 2023, 09:45 PM

'Spending like drunken sailors': Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller says US seniors need to 'take a cut' in Social Security — at a time when it isn't enough for many boomers. Do you agree?

Nammu · Nov 03, 2023, 09:49 PM

I think Stanley needs to pay his taxes

Travelinglady · Nov 21, 2023, 04:29 PM

Why You Will Get Two Social Security Checks in December

Travelinglady · Dec 09, 2023, 05:59 PM

3 Huge Social Security Changes Coming in 2024 That Seniors Must Know

Travelinglady · Dec 09, 2023, 11:16 PM

'Spending like drunken sailors': Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller says US seniors need to 'take a cut' in Social Security — when it isn't enough for many boomers at present. Is he right?

SInce he's a billionaire, I think he should shut up. Doesn't he know about the many seniors who are just surviving on their social security and have paid for it for years. "Spending like drunken sailors"? What planet does he live on?

Nammu · Dec 10, 2023, 12:37 AM

I agree. And since drunk sailors are usually passed out they don’t spend much. His meme makes no sense.

divine1966 · Dec 10, 2023, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonightowl

I didn't read it, as I know I'm not old enough anyway. Yeah they want you to wait till you're a certain age to get the maximum benefit, but what if you need it sooner to LIVE???!!!

The government lives in a different world. I know my benefit will MEASLY, and part of your benefit is based on your earnings. So if you had low earnings or periods of unemployment, your benefit is even lower.

Currently you have to be 62 at least, last I heard. If they keep increasing the age I'm screwed. I didn't know we have fewer young people working. Is that because of a decline in births?

I didn't know about that. I thought they were decreasing the age to be eligible, because I don't recall it being 62 in the past. It was 65 I think.

Also, I think it depends on what year you were born.

I've been thinking of eugenics lately. It seems they want to make it harder for disabled, poor, and older folks to survive. I know GOP wants to get rid of Medicare and SS. How are people to survive? They want you to work, but all these jobs they tout are too physically demanding for many older people. They expect you to have something else, like a company pension. Companies don't do that now; they want you to have a 401(k) and be on your own. Thanks to world conditions and COVID, my 401(k) has lost money.

Employers demand volatile hours and ability to walk/stand for hours and lift 70 lbs. I can't do that. They make it hard to even qualify for disability, as they have their arbitrary list of conditions you have to have. And they demand proof. Reject most people, then they have to appeal. I heard all this from reliable sources: People who have applied and finally got it. I even talked to a veteran who told me because he gets disability, he doesn't get certain VA benefits. They are requiring documents he doesn't have. He's been on hold for HOURS to talk to someone, only to be told to call this other number.

One can have undiagnosed conditions, but one has to go to multiple doctors to see if it's so. And how to pay for it? What if that visit isn't covered and considered "medically unnecessary"?

I don't know where this arbitrary age of 65 comes from, but it makes me want to vomit. Even for this new RSV, those age 65 and older are at risk. If you're 64 you're in the clear.

I HATE the number 65 now. For many years, I was told I had to be 55 for various "senior" things. Then after that, I had to be 60 or 62. I have to be 62 to get a bus fare discount. (I'm 61) 65 for Medicare. Retailers like Ross give those 55 and older a discount but I don't have any money to spend. When I reach 65, they will tell me I have to be 70. Then 75, then 100.

The "Friendship Line' during COVID lockdowns said I had to be 60 and older to be eligible or "entitled" to feel lonely. Or disabled.

I agree that one should get the amount they had when working, but that will never happen. When I was at a big company with a lot of benefits in the 90's, we had private disability as a benefit. Everyone was covered. You'd get 60% of your earnings, way more than the government gives.

If they do away with these programs, we'll have even more tents out there. Not everybody has FAMILY or FRIENDS.

Yeah, on my soapbox again.

I don’t think they increasing the age because fewer younger people work. People live longer. So if in the past person lived 5 years after retirement (just an example), they now live maybe 20. So social security has to last longer

divine1966 · Dec 10, 2023, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travelinglady

'Spending like drunken sailors': Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller says US seniors need to 'take a cut' in Social Security — when it isn't enough for many boomers at present. Is he right?

SInce he's a billionaire, I think he should shut up. Doesn't he know about the many seniors who are just surviving on their social security and have paid for it for years. "Spending like drunken sailors"? What planet does he live on?

That’s just gross. Social security is minuscule even if you worked your whole life and made decent money. Spend on what??? One can barely survive on SS.

Travelinglady · Dec 10, 2023, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine1966

I don’t think they increasing the age because fewer younger people work. People live longer. So if in the past person lived 5 years after retirement (just an example), they now live maybe 20. So social security has to last longer

It's terrible to know where the number 65 came from. It was made the minimum age because back then people didn't likely even live to that age! Now that people are living longer.....

The GOP doesn't believe in the government helping anyone. They have claimed that the churches should do that. Guess what? Many churches are mainly attended by older people. The Democrats are doing their best to try to help us, but they do need to make some changes, given the monetary situation.

Younger people do pay the SS for older people, just like we did when we were younger. It's not like there's a bank box that contains the money for each person, and that money gets paid to us at the SS age. So, I think it's fewer younger people AND people living longer.

Travelinglady · Dec 16, 2023, 09:18 PM

4 Social Security Changes Joe Biden Wants to Make: Is 2024 the Year They Become Reality?

My brain shuts down when it comes to numbers. Help! What do you all think?

Travelinglady · Jan 10, 2024, 07:48 PM

3 Positive Social Security Changes Seniors Can Look Forward To in 2024

Good--positive!

Travelinglady · Jan 14, 2024, 03:47 PM

Has Congress Really Stolen Trillions From Social Security? Here's the Truth.

I'll check into that site. I hope some of us can get more money!

Travelinglady · Jan 18, 2024, 12:28 PM

They're Finally Here: 3 2024 Social Security Improvements We've Been Waiting For

Travelinglady · Jan 30, 2024, 01:37 PM

Half of Americans Think Social Security Will Run Out — Here’s What They Don’t Understand

Travelinglady · Mar 23, 2024, 09:52 PM

https://currently.att.yahoo.com/news...150310332.html

Sad to say, when social security was set up, few people lived to be 65. Hence, the age choice.

Nammu · Mar 23, 2024, 10:00 PM

The republicans tipped their hand asking for cuts and raising the age. The democrats have a solution, tax the wealthy and corporations.

Pflowers · Apr 28, 2024, 02:06 PM

Do anybody here have a Medicare Supplemental Plan?

These plans are not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan.

The supplemental plan is more commonly known as Medigap coverage.

It helps to cover the costs that Part A & B of regular Medicare do not.

If you do have this coverage, what is your opinion on it?

I can sign up in February when I turn 65 ...

Plan G seems to be the most popular one they have.

It seems it could save one from incurring catastrophic medical debt ...

Thanks!

Travelinglady · May 18, 2024, 04:25 PM

We need to look at it. I'll ask my husband.

The coming Social Security fight could be 1983 all over again

Oh, dear.

Nammu · May 18, 2024, 04:43 PM

I fear what the gop would do if the orange guy wins. They will gut social security and Medicare.

nonightowl · Jun 03, 2024, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nammu

I fear what the gop would do if the orange guy wins. They will gut social security and Medicare.

Yeah I thought of that. Is anyone here not old enough for “full retirement” but old enough to collect? I’m finally 62 but I’m supposed to wait until I’m 67 to get the “full benefit”. It’s supposed to increase but it’s measly anyway and everything else will go up too.

And it might not be there if I wait.

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Sent from my iPhone

SquarePegGuy · Jun 03, 2024, 08:39 PM

I think I'm in the category (not old enough for “full retirement” but old enough to collect).

I was planning to wait as long as possible before I retire. I'm married, so if I don't make it, I can leave behind a pretty good spousal benefit.

nonightowl · Jun 05, 2024, 11:51 AM

I don’t know if I can afford to wait, nor if I can afford to pay a financial advisor on whether to do so. They are not cheap. A Catch 22.

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Sent from my iPhone

Pflowers · Jun 10, 2024, 07:02 AM

Can you afford to live on what you'll be receiving each month if you take it early?

If so, I'd go ahead and take it ...

Keep in mind that I'm not a professional, just expressing my humble opinion.

Keep in mind you can't apply for medicare coverage until you're 65 though.

Nammu · Jun 10, 2024, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonightowl

I don’t know if I can afford to wait, nor if I can afford to pay a financial advisor on whether to do so. They are not cheap. A Catch 22.

———
Sent from my iPhone

Interesting question so I googled it. I asked, is there a calculator to figure out social security benefits at 62 vs 67 and a SSA site popped up. Took me right to a calculator and a social security site for planing.

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Social Security Issues

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