Your Guide to Social Security, Part One

Reader Comments
Back to blog

Our so called" representatives" in the U.S. Congress have been very busy representing only their own interests. Just look at the lavish benefits they give themselves. Then consider the benefits the average working person receives.
They would be horrified if they had to give their fat cat benefits to fund yet another assinine war like we have had to do ever since the Viet Nam conflict.
Or else it would be untouchable like their pensions are. No wonder they never want to privatize it, then they would not be able to blow it all on their pet projects and social programs that do not work.

Jim Baures of WI 6:47PM March 13, 2010

Mr. Moeller;
"Yet, Social Security receives little attention compared with the attention paid to private retirement plans—401(k)s, IRAs, target date funds, Roth IRA conversions, and other retirement investments. "
The truth is that the working public does pay a lot of attention to Social Security, BUT 'Congress' does not and will not as they have set up a much more lucrative plan for them selves and their heirs (spouses). Congress has no vested interest in SS and will therefore watch it flounder while their pay and retirement flourishes!
We have the greediest leadership money can buy, and it is NOT represenative!

James E. Kuss of MD 9:15AM January 07, 2010

aour cocial security is GOD

christian obinna of CO 11:14AM January 06, 2010

The Social Security Act has been the same since it started in the 1930's: Social Security benefits are paid each month, but for the previous month. For example the check received in June is for the month of May. If a person dies before completing the month of May, the check that arrives in June has to be sent back. If you tell SSA immediately after a person dies, they won't send the check in June, and thus they won't have to take it back. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't tell SSA on time.
If you want to change the law, which is our right as citizens, write your United States Senator or United States Congressmen (state law has nothing to do with it, so governors and local officials have no say).
See www.DavidLillesand.com for more information.

David Lillesand of FL 6:59PM December 30, 2009

You should include the fact that Social Security recipients cannot turn down Medicare or else they'll lose their SS benefits.

AMF of VA 3:20PM December 30, 2009

What can they do? The person who spent it is gone so the SS office has no one to collect from. I am not responsible for my grown kids and would not pay their bills just as they do not pay mine. I have never heard of them asking family members to pay them back. I sincerely hope this is an error on SS part.

Pat of TX 10:08PM December 29, 2009

Why is it that a person recieves SSI monthly payments for living expences. And then has an emergency and has to go to the hospital. For major surgery and even though she lives for 22 days of the month. And pays her bills in the begining of the month. Why should the family be asked to pay back her monthly payment. When it went to pay for her living expenses while she was still alive. And the family is barely making things work as it is? I believe this should be against the law. And something needs to be done about this nonsense. Who do i write to put an end to this. This is like stealing from the dead, and living family members should not be put threw this after a lose like this. SSI has alot of nerve putting surving family members threw this extra pain. Please let me know who to talk to, to get something done before other families suffer also. Is this what we pay our Government for? To make up rules to screw the families that lost loved ones. Please explain who i write or what i can do about this major problem?

Joe Holland Jr of FL 11:59AM December 29, 2009