The Baby Boomers Turn 65

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Matt & Marty -- stop confusing Social Security with welfare. There is a minimum period of time for which you are required to have a record of working and paying into the system in order to be eligible for even the minimum Social Security benefit and the actual amount of your check will be based on your income during the 35 years with the higest earnings reported and taxed. Now it's legitimate to argue that perhaps the minimum period of reported wages required in order to qualify ought to be longer than it currently is in order to discourage people from working "off the books" for extended periods, but you need to recognize that unless someone was a member of that endangered species, the full-time homemaker married to someone who worked and paid into the system, if they never worked and never put one dime into the system, they are not going to get one dime of Social Security benefit out of it.

Get Your Facts Straight of NY 11:43PM January 04, 2011

i agree with matt of pa, the reason social security is running short is because of the overload of immigrants,they come here with parents old enough to draw social security,doesnt matter that they never worked and paid in to the system.they get it anyway,but people born and raised in the united states that need it cant get it and thats our fault why?

marty of GA 10:23PM January 04, 2011

Why is social security called an entitlement. We have paid into this system our entire working lives. We were given no choice to opt out and use what was taken from us to develop our own retirement plans. We were told it was an investment in our future. Now it is clear that was a Pnozi scheme all along with the working American worker as the patsy. Why am I not entitled to at least get back what I've paid in. Congrebama if your won't pay me what is due at least stop taking from me now!!!

Dan Geer of WV 9:53PM January 04, 2011

Why is it that the Government always talks about taking money from people like myself and my wife that have worked our entire adult lives and saved as much as possible, paid our bills and taxes on time and played by all the rules?
They never talk about cutting benefits or money from the people that never worked or put one dime into the system, not to mention all the immigrants that are coming here with their hands out. I saw a woman the other day using an Access Card to pay for her food and buying a $70.00 carton of cigarettes with cash, what's wrong with that picture? I'm afraid that the boomers are going to get the shaft because there is no place other than us that the Government can get the funds they need for themselves and the freeloaders.

Matt of PA 9:33PM January 04, 2011

I think President Obama should give a "Decree" for the people who will be in 2011 in their 62, 63, 64 in the next two years to retire on Social Security without penalizing them with 25%, 23.5%, etc. Like that lots of people will be off Unemployment, and shouldn't lose their houses. Than the banks can work with them to lower the monthly payment, since they have a monthly income, not unemployment.
That way the banks can't deny you for "President Obama Loan Modification Program" like they do now because you have unemployment benefit. People can stay in their houses. If people will get a job, later they can still give money to Social Security and pay taxes.
That was done in Europe, to give work to the younger one to get a job.

CORNELIA BOTEZATU of CO 6:12PM January 04, 2011

Nationalize the domestic Oil and Gas industries! Use the revenues to educate our young and take care of our old. This is America! Land of the Free and Home of the Brave!

Forward Thinker of TN 3:07PM January 04, 2011

People can always do something about their situation, the real question is are they willing. Send me a facebook message. Michael Callejas

Michael Callejas of CA 2:38PM January 04, 2011

i ben doing this for over 3 years not a dime came my way lost my mom 3 years a go now i take of my dad he needs 247 hr care i am 51 will be 52 in mauch i cant work amd take care of him all the time

help of CA 2:28PM January 04, 2011

I had to go on Disability June 2010. I am sure that i am ready. I currently collecting Social Security Disability, Military Retirement, VA compensation 40%, (currently I am on appeal) and Postal Disability (awaiting for decision). With all that income I make more money now then when I was working. All my bills are paid off.

Lenny of NC 1:08PM January 04, 2011

It is up to each and everyone of us to do something else to create income. I was on Social Security Disability for 8 years, it was horrible, I was sick and living on $541 a month. I was able to get off of it after developing a homebased business and working hard as I could. It was worth it! I have been ill now for the past 4 years and my business has continued to pay me over $4,000 a month even while being in the hospital. I will be 65 in September and am not worried about my future income. The difference between me and most of my boomer friends is that they won't even try. I am also looking for people to help do the same thing.

Helen of CA 11:59AM January 04, 2011