About Social Security

[Marthe48]

If someone is found to be terminally ill before age 65, how feasible would it be to give a formulated refund on what they paid into SS? Not enough to break SS, but enough to make its foes less vocal. Wondering if an option like that would mollify red voters. Even though the red states are supporting racism, sexism and fascism, I hope we can find ways to reach people who are able to wake and act like Americans.

While the election was going on and red states voted excreably, I was thinking about the Georgia runoff in Jan. and further to the 34 Senators who will be up for election in 2022, wanting to keep the 13 held by Dems and take some of the 21 held by r's. I don't like it that Ohio and WV are red states. I have been thinking of ways to bring reasonable people back to the center. Who knows, maybe I can even come in from the left!

But, today is a day for celebration. Enjoy the day and hope the refreshment of our souls refreshes our ideals.

[ret5hd]

1. The foes of social security are foes...

of the entire principle. They would take what you offer, turn around grinning, and keep up their fight without a pause. Let’s not kid ourselves...it’s not the details, the minutiae, the exact specifics, of programs like social security, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, etc...

IT IS THE FACT THESE PROGRAMS EXIST AT ALL!

[Timewas]

2. Probably not

Pretty sure they use a formulary that includes a percentage that will never collect, just like regular insurance does.

[Freddie]

3. I like that idea

But doesn’t the surviving spouse (if there is one) get to claim something when they collect? My MIL died at 62 and my FIL (who lived to 86) said he got more when he started to collect due to her earnings record even though his lifetime earnings were more than hers.

[spooky3]

5. Yes. I also have several family members who are collecting on deceased spouses' records. nt

[spooky3]

4. Fiscally, this would be bad for SS, which already needs some changes in order to remain fully funded

and is less fair to unmarried people than it should be. It works great for husbands who did the major earning, with wives who stayed at home, with kids--they get back much more than contributed on average--but the average American does not live this way any more and there are legitimate questions as to how much they should subsidize those who do.

[procon]

6. If you, or a dependent, are disabled due to an illness

you can qualify for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs which provide assistance to people with disabilities regardless of age.

Generally, most people get much more in benefits than they actually paid in taxes. If you don't use your benefits it stays in the SS fund to be used by others.

[Hekate]

7. No. No. No. We all pay in -- we all get something back -- and the incoming absolutely depend on...

...what was contributed before. It is not and never has been your personal savings account.

If the GOP has its way in repealing the Payroll Tax, workers will get a few bucks back into their paychecks, which they will not put in the bank, I guarantee it, and then Social Security will be bankrupt in 3 years.

[Shermann]

8. SSRIB is more like an insurance policy than an annuity

That type of feature would be something you would see in an annuity.

[Marthe48]

9. Thank you for all the input

I knew many people who didn't make it to 62, let alone 65, and many of them were far rightwing. I am one of the widows who gets much more a month, based on my husband's earnings. He took options while he was alive that ensured that he left me okay. He was not rightwing and he did get to collect for almost 8 years. I'll keep hoping.