8 Possible Social Security Benefit Changes

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I went on Yahoo today to find out the exact year that the age requirements
changed for Social Security. I found a lot of erroneous information on sites
that look professional like Snopes and the Brooking Institute. A whole generation believe everything they read. They think that generating false information could result in prosecution and fines. All of that has changed. President Reagan raised the age requirements for Social Security, but if you read their sites you would think that a Democrat did. I would like to address this to Juli of Tx. Pres. Bush (when he was Gov) and Gov. Perry turned Texas schools ranking from 35th to 47th then 48th then 49th in the nation. If you
want to change anything start with them. But don't forget the Ag. Commissioner, Susan Coombs the Comptroller who never knows how much money we have and on and on...

Vicki Stuart of TX 3:07PM February 08, 2010

All of those who do not (or did not) pay into Social Security should "donate" so that they bear their fair share of the welfare part of the Social Security system. Social Security is a "windfall" for lower income workers who get a benefit of up to 90% of their adjusted monthly earnings that was subject to Social Security tax. The rest of us that have to pay the Social Security Tax carry that burden. That is the "windfall" that is eliminated for persons covered by a govt. pension in lieu of paying into Social Security. It's a bit complicated so you may not be able to understand, or may not want to understand it. But it wouldn't be right to allow someone who worked 15% of the time in jobs covered by Social Security to get 90% of that as a benefit in addition the the govt. pension they get for the other 85% of their lifetime work earnings. Anyone who has a govt. pension as an alternative to Social Security should thank God every day that they are so privileged.

Jake of OH 11:41PM January 20, 2010

I'm sure you realize Social Security is not your right. You pay into it because you live in America and it is your civic responsibility. Or has civic virtue died in America due to the greed of the populous? We have a better life than most people in the rest of the world, be satisfied. You did not do ANYTHING to earn Social Security, the qualifier is that you are elderly or disabled in the United States. Like I said, IT IS NOT YOUR RIGHT! Welcome back to reality where greedy Americans think the world owes them and can't seem to get it through their heads that, oh yeah, the world doesn't owe them anything!!
Additionally, if you went elsewhere it is very likely that you wouldn't have Social Security. You would have to rely on your family to care for you when you stopped contribution to society, if you were ever able to stop. The moral of the story? Be grateful for what you have.

Elizabeth of AZ 6:41PM January 19, 2010

Don't ya just love it??? They (Washington from the top on down) are walking around with their heads in their butts!
I say wake up America! Elections are coming up REAL soon...and it is time we hand them ALL their PINK SLIPS!!!
We gave them their chance...they screwed up...they have refused to change...so when the election time for the Senate, Congress and House of Reps. and President come up...HAND THEM THEIR PINK SLIP...they didn't bat an eye when they did it to us!!!
The gravy train STOPS HERE AND NOW!

Juli of TX 4:54PM January 19, 2010

I retired from the federal government (under the old retirement system) and am now working and paying into SS. Every penny I contribute ($212 every 2 weeks) is a gift because I don't have 40 quarters and because of the Windfall Elimination Provision. I just love it when I hear that someone who has never paid in a dime can sit back and collect every month.

S of VA 4:06PM January 19, 2010

SO ... let me get this straight ... We already give lifetime Social Security benefits to someone who has only worked ten years. In fact, we even give it to spouses who may never have paid a dime into the system. But, now that the system is about broke, we have proposals to make it even more generous??
Who, exactly, is smoking what, here??

Waldo of RI 3:20PM January 19, 2010

Suplemental Security Income, paid to people who have never worked a single day in their lives, thus not having paid a cent INTO the system, and many receiving this from childhood or very early adulthood are screwing the working folks who ARE paying in and will have to work their butts off most of their lives to draw their benefits in old age for a few years until they croak.

Workingman 2:51PM January 19, 2010

The real trouble with SS is that presidents have seen fit to spend the surplus funds from SS on things that it was never intended to be spent on. If that surplus SS money was retained, instead of spent, there would be plenty of money left to outlast any crisis. Surplus money spent by Clinton? Social Security funds. Surplus money spent by Bush? Social Security funds. The system isn't broken, allowing government to spend the citizen's money is the problem.

Tony of AR 11:09AM January 19, 2010

I have earned my 40 quarters.
I WILL RETIRE AS CSR AND CONTRIBUTED TO MY RETIREMENT NEVERTHELESS
MY RETIREMENT WILL BE DOCKED 75% .
I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DRAW MY FULL SS INSTEAD OF BEING PURNISHED
BECAUSE I HAVE NOT WORKED FOR ADDITIONAL QUARTERS IN MY CS EMPLOYMENT.

EJD of TX 10:50PM January 18, 2010

C'mon retired Americans..we all have to get by with a little less so that our opulent fat assed congress can continue to get their annual raises to maintain the lifestyle that they have become accustomed to.
It's enough to make you puke.

Dave of FL 6:17PM January 18, 2010