10 Things You Didn't Know About Social Security

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Was married for 24yr. devorsed married again 8yrs. devorsed. Went to soc. security to see if I could collect on my first marriage they said no. As I read your information it looks as though I can collect? My first husband passed away last September, if that makes a differance.

Nancy of MI 7:37AM August 20, 2010

Ihave worked since i was 21 years old in many area My parent were poor so I put myself through college and earned a Master's degree in Community Counseling throught the University of Wi-Superior. My speciality was Marriage and FAmily and Alcohol and Drug Counseling. My first jog was working at a detox counselor and found out I loved it. I movedup the ladder and spent my last job at the Fergus Falls treatment center in Fergus Falls MN. In my spare time, lol, I took in fifty four foster years as a foster home group home for teenage girls with all kinds of issues. I worked hard for my money. I paid off all of my student loans.
Now I am about to lose my home because I cannot afford to pay a thousand seventy eight dollars a month at six.five percent. I have been to my bank several times to try to work things out unsuccessfully. Both my husband and I have cancer, his is far worse than mine, he has pantratic and lung cancer, mine is bladder cancer. My husband may die of his cancer as his doctor told him. This cost money we cannot afford even tho we have Medicare A and B. I also have Medica health insurance. We over the years had the fortune to live a middle class life style. Now at low income to some program and over income to some we fall in the cracks.
The question is should billionaires help pay the government, my answer is yes, they recieved alot of money from the government from cutbacks, illegally and legally, got bailouts where we did not get bailouts. These people need to step up to the plate and help the American people get back on their feet not buy another multi boat, plane or whatever billionares buy, these people need to buy into the country and not try to save trheir assets by giving it to their family members or somebody else who can shelter their money. I love my country, I have two nephew nephews in Iraq and as soon as my grandson gets out of the Army reserves bootcamp, he will also go to Iraq with his cousin in May, my grandson is only 18. How many billionaires will allow thier relatives the oppertunity to let their kids join the service without commission.

Bonnie Johnson-Roehl of MN 12:46PM August 19, 2010

Lyndon Johnson promised the end of poverty in this nation and the security and comfortable retirement for every working individual by means of his "Great Society". All we had to do was to believe in his promise, pay the higher taxes and wait for Social Security and medicare to take care of all our needs. Now, anyone who believed in their government to take care of them is absolutely screwed. College educated Seniors who worked as engineers, accountants and other professional jobs are now competing with illegal immigrants for menial jobs at WalMart and McDonalds so that they can survive. Some retirement. A great reward for our great sacrifice for Johnson's Great Society that ended up being squandered on liberal programs for illegal aliens, homosexuals and congressional bonuses for themselves. Our government has evolved into a culture of self-serving vultures and thieves.
We need to replace all of them.

Don of CO 11:18AM August 19, 2010

Could the billionaires help the social security problem! After all, we worked all our lives to put money into the system and need it to live so the government should have no right to take it away from someone who has contributed! Also our children has contributed and we need the money just to exist and have a decent life!

Gerry Roschel of PA 10:38AM August 19, 2010

I am embarassed about how much and often US citizens whine about health care for indigents in this country. In any other nation on this planet we can show up at hospital smashed to a pulp from jumping drunk off a 2nd story balcony and receive free medical treatment and hospitalization for as long as it takes and whatever it requires to patch us up again. We don't ever hear other countries citizens griping about us however. We seem to want to think our treatment is better in this country but we have absolutely no statistics supporting this bs.

carol of TX 3:25PM August 18, 2010

I never see in any of these articles that for every MONTH you delay taking SS, you get a bit more money, not every YEAR!!!
To quote from the SSA website, here is how to estimate the early retirement penalty:
"
In the case of early retirement, a benefit is reduced 5/9 of one percent for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months. If the number of months exceeds 36, then the benefit is further reduced 5/12 of one percent per month.
For example, if the number of reduction months is 60 (the maximum number for retirement at 62 when normal retirement age is 67), then the benefit is reduced by 30 percent. This maximum reduction is calculated as 36 months times 5/9 of 1 percent plus 24 months times 5/12 of 1 percent.
"
There is a calculator on the SSA website that will give you what your exact increment is, month by month, until your full retirement age.

Mike L of PA 8:20AM August 18, 2010

I make way too much money, therefore I can't medical care in america. It is tough position to be in being a sixth generation american working full time and must plan out a doctor visit. I am still proud to be an American and a tax payer even if that makes me not availible for any kind of government funded health programs. I just wish the monies were for poor Americans and not mooching illegal aliens.

Mark of AK 1:22AM August 18, 2010

I AGREE WITH SANDRA OF TX. I WAS DEALING WITH A GALL BLADDER ATTACK, NO INSURANCE, AFTER 2 WEEKS I COULD NO LONGER DEAL THE PAIN . SO OFF I GO TO THE EMERGENCY, AND LUCK HAS IT BECAUSE I HAD A JOB AND A CAR, YES YOU HEARD ME, I WAS ABLE TO GET TREATMENT, OH BUT IT ONLY COST ME A MERE &1200.00 FOR THAT VISIT,BUT THE KICK IS, STEP FATHER WAS WITH ME, AND COULD HEAR WHAT WAS BEING SAID IN THE BOOTH NEXT TO US, I WONDERED WHY IT LOOKED LIKE HE WAS HAVING A HEART ATTACK(WHICH REALLY WAS BECAUSE HE WAS "STEAMED" BY WHAT HE HEARD IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE) WHAT HE HEARD WAS "OH DON'T WORRY EVERYTHING WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF." AND I A NATIVE OF THE STATE WAS LUCKY TO HAVE GETTEN HELP ONLY BECAUSE I HAD A JOB, SHE GOT FREE CARE. RESENTMENT YOU BET. BUT WHY IS THIS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN. I WILL AND HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN IT

LAURIE of CA 6:39PM August 17, 2010

Its not just AZ, its everywhere and allowing these drop babies in as citizens is bull crap!! Don't give them medical and let them walk right back across where they came from. None of them deserve what we and our forefathers built this country on, we have had to work hard all our lives and to allow such disgrace is uncalled for!. Take America back and close all crossings, and no free rides. Did we get it? By the way to you insecure morans, crossings are at airports, colleges, tourist so don't get your panties in a bunch. I want you all out and the lovely Country we once had, when we had the rights and not this allowing them to scream for rights. They have none in my world and no respect but then they don't even know what that means.

Sandra of TX 11:23AM August 17, 2010