General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Does the White House Really Think People Are That Stupid? [View all]JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)He just said it would not be in HIS budget but that the cuts are still possible if the Republicans want them. He is simply challenging the Republicans to put the cuts on the table. Don't worry they will. And then the elderly, especially elderly older women who get less Social Security to begin with will really, really be hurting.
Remember. The average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired person was $1,269.
http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/basicfact.htm
Women receive less than men but live longer.
n 2011, the average annual Social Security income received by women 65 years and older was $12,188, compared to $15,795 for men.
http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/factsheets/women.htm
The chained CPI will disproportionately reduce the retirement income of women since women live longer than men, and the chained CPI cuts will incrementally and gradually reduce the amount of benefit a recipient gets as the recipient ages.
The chained CPI is a ridiculous measure because as seniors are reduced in income, more of them will qualify for other government programs like Medicaid, which when coupled with Medicare reduces co-pays, etc. and food stamps, rent assistance, free types of transportation for certain situations, etc. The tiny amount the government will save on a senior's Social Security could push the person into real dependency on government programs and make seniors more likely to move into subsidized nursing homes.
Further, reducing Social Security payments will hit the nursing homes hard because that take indigent seniors and cover the cost of their housing and care with their Social Security income.
Te entire idea of the chained CPI is daffy and dumb and should not be on the table or even discussed. Seniors have a lot of medical costs.