10 Ways to Ruin Your Retirement

What I really dont understand is this I have been working since I was 15 I will be 61 next Wednesday. I understand that people who have lost a limb or are blind or have something wrong that really prohibits them from working a job deserve Social Security. What I dont understand is this. I have been paying out of my pay check for years now toward Social Security. How can someone who claims to be a drug addicit or alcoholic or bipolar as they call it now days which back in my days was bad nerves which trust me I have been dignosed but that dont keep me from working how do they get to collect? These people are just plain lazy I know so many people that are out there living off of our yes our money who could be trained to do some kind of job but it like welfare once they get on it they dont want to get off. I have a niece thats around 40 some years old she has been on it since she was in her twenties I mean come on now give me a break she can run all around town doing other things but cant work give me a break. My sister her husband my two brothers they are on it the two brothers is justifiable they are in very bad shape but the others just like some of the close people I know should not be on it. I am sorry they just hand out money and no follow ups afterwards. Its disgusting I can barely walk but because of bad knees and arthritis but I still get up everyday and go to work. Yes I have PRIDE.

DIANNE of MD 11:24AM October 28, 2010

I am angry too! If you paid into SS you should not feel guilty about getting it. But I am really angry about the mismanagement of the SS money. For instance. I got hurt on my job 15 years ago. I had been with the company for 20 years. I have always worked. I also paid for disability insurance in case I got hurt and couldn't work. Well what happens I get hurt and the insurance (United Healthcare) didn't pay. They made me go on disability and start recieving paychecks from the government and get on Medicare. I don't understand. What happened to all the money that I paid into the insurance company??? Everyone says that's the way it is done. That is crazy. I should not be getting my SS yet. My insurance company should be paying. Also they should be paying for my medical. Not Medicare.Well People seem to be shocked also when I tell them medicare is NOT Free. I pay $82.00 an month for medicine and $99.00 a month for Medicare Part B. Everyone acts like I don't have insurance when I say I just have Medicare, I am sooooo confused. I am sorry for all my spelling mistakes. hard to type when you are upset. I hope I got my message across. It felt good to vent. Mzmarty

Marty of TX 8:28AM September 30, 2010

I agree with the thoughts of many of the post, however, if you don't belong to a lobbying group like NUMBERS USA or write or call your representatives, how are they to know how to vote your desires. Keep track of their voting record and be agressive with your statements so they will take notice of their constituents and be forced to vote your demands.

This country has given up the working men and womens rights for every stupid idealistic reason imaginable and penalized them for having a job, working every day at a job,having a home, sending their kids to college and paying for the tuitions themselves since they aren't of the "chosen group". If people don't stand up at the next elections and get these career politicians out of office and get some grass roots working people into these offices, we are screwed as a democratic, God fearing, working society. We might as pack our bags and move to another country, but unlike the USA, we cannot become citizens, they will not give us anything free, and we had better come into the country legally or we will be thrown in jail or shot.

In short, call, write or lobby your Senator or Congressman to the maximum because, as we all know too well, the squeaky wheel get the oil.

Jason of NC 7:09PM September 18, 2010

Not just Chinese, there are Russian, Iranian old folks that I know of, am sure many others taking advantage of the naive American and our generous government, committing the same act. They have tons of assets in their homelandn and/or transfer wealth to their children and live in low income housing, enjoying welfare food stamps & discounted utility rate while despise American as being dumber than dumb. I really don't understand why SS the money we contribute for our retirement has become entitlement system for other purposes, such as disability and welfare. My doctor friend has a MR son. He draws his full benefit upon retirement while the son draws over half of dad's benefit amount; it certainly is not carved out of dad's share. If disability and welfare are the society's responsibilities, then those many people on federal payroll including congressmen and military, and states/employer groups opted out of participating in SS sure are not sharing the burdens/responsibilities of helping these people supposedly in need!

How can we the contributors are forced to pay in but have no say so? Congressmen & senators won't looking after our interests because it doesn't affect their pocketbook. People can be very generous with others' money. We sure put up A LOT! May be those foreigners are right about us, we are dumb.

Julie of CA 1:39AM September 09, 2010