Retirement Benefits: What to Expect in 2011

again, the government started paying social security benefits before anyone contributed to it. so, the money we pay now helps them recoup their losses and continue to pay out benefits. if we can fund wars, help less fortunate countries rebuild/build up, pay ex-presidents and their families, pay millionaire senators, and protect environment and animal rights, we surely can support our own elderly/seniors. they are more important than any of that other stuff. after all, i don't care how rich or poor you are, if you live long enough, you'll live to appreciate that program being in place.

Glenna of TX 4:25PM January 19, 2011

I agree with some people here. I have worked since i was a young child . coming from a large family . there was no help. so as i got older i work to help my younger siblings. so there are people out there that do not get the help and work at jobs cleaning and taking in wash to make ends meat. will the upper class people take advantage of the ones who did not ask to be born in familes of the less fortune. i am an american citizen and i have paid into my social sercuity and now there telling me that when i retire there won't be any. i would like to know where all the money i paid is. because i feel the government should not be taking and givig to the war or other programs without paying me a loan interest fee for using the money i paid in.

concern taxpayer of WI 11:46AM January 19, 2011

when social security started, no one contributed to it. the government totally foot the bill. you can't not pay seniors social security just because they never worked. what about full time moms/housewives, who never held a job? people never stop aging, so how do you propose they live if they don't have ss? welfare, unemployment, and ss are different issues with different dynamics. they can't be treated the same way.

glenna of TX 9:04AM January 19, 2011

I believe that those who have worked so hard in their life and paid into Social Security everyday of their life should be compensated. Quick giving food stamps and medicare to those who have never paid anykind of money to Social Security, or paid taxes but live here free. Quick giving free money to those who weren't born here, so they can open their own businesses and then scam the states out of taxes by saying they don't make enough money. Give food stamps to those that have lost their jobs, have children, or even don't have kids but give them 1 yr to get themselves back to work. Yeah! I believe people should get unemployment, but there are many out there that will milk it as long as they can. they should get a job anywhere for the meantime until they find the job they were educated for or have experience on. Unemployment then can probably assist them for a year on what they would have made through them. There are too many people in the United States that are not citizens and it is easy for them to get away from paying taxes, medicare, and social security. If these people are allowed to be here, then they should pay taxes and everything else like natural born citizens do. Refugees shouldn't get free rent, medical and medicare or social security benefits for a year. Becasue many of them come to the US and have money put aside for their living, but rather get free money from our government than to use their own. It is sad that our Goverment is getting worse on helping their own Citizens, and let them go without jobs, without money, live on the streets and have no medical help. We have homeless people here, but money goes out to other countries. We have Vets that can't make it because the government won't give them assistance. WE are getting older and there is no light ahead, so no matter how much taxes we pay, how much social security we pay and how much medicare we pay out of our checks--We Lose! And yet it is our fault because we didn't put extra aside. Go Figure.

Concerned Texan-NH of TX 10:40AM January 04, 2011