2016 Postmortem

jwirr

(39,215 posts)

28. That is means testing. We already have a program called

Wed Oct 14, 2015, 10:55 AM

Oct 2015

SSI (not SSDI) that adds a supplement for those who are still under the poverty line even on Social Security.

I get SSI because my SSA check is only $278 a month. SSI supplements that to bring it up to $753 a month. SSI is a not from the SSA funds but is a tax supported addition.

If I am not mistaken the $753 is determined from the cost of living in ones area. This could be fixed by raising the monthly allowance for SSI (SSA + $$$=$1000 a month) and it would help those elderly and disabled persons who are under the poverty line.

I get so little because of some of the rules that applied to SSA such as not being eligible for a ex-husbands coverage if you had not been married at least 10 years. I think that law has been changed now but when I got my divorce it still applied. I was 3 months short of the 10 years.

And what I did (take care of a severely disabled daughter for 45 years) was never considered work under SSA rules.

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Debate: Read what Hillary said about Social Security v e r y carefully. [View all] antigop Oct 2015 OP

Bernie's approach is more sensible and simple. JRLeft Oct 2015 #1

And that would be....? nt kelliekat44 Oct 2015 #56

Eliminate the cap. JRLeft Oct 2015 #58

Bernie didn't call to eliminate the cap he called to raise it. nt Todays_Illusion Oct 2015 #66

He's mentioned it plenty of times on the Thom Hartmann show. JRLeft Oct 2015 #69

Now you are moving the topic and provide no support, like a direct quote. You claimed it was Todays_Illusion Oct 2015 #77

The bill he introduced starts with raising it and suggests eliminating it in the future. Vinca Oct 2015 #81

Some of Hillary Clinton's statements on Social Security. portlander23 Oct 2015 #2

" I'm going to look for ways to try to make sure it's solvent into the future." nt antigop Oct 2015 #3

Like nobody knows yet, how to keep SS "solvent into the future" 99th_Monkey Oct 2015 #95

that's why these questions need to be asked at the debates. We need a strong debate on antigop Oct 2015 #96

Yep. I'm with you on that. -nt- 99th_Monkey Oct 2015 #97

Totally agreeing with you and 99th Monkey. n/t truedelphi Oct 2015 #101

Aren't Educators, Police Officers & Firefighters And The Like..... global1 Oct 2015 #11

I believe that in California, if you are expected to be eligible for a teacher's pension, JDPriestly Oct 2015 #27

Just for clarity: Fawke Em Oct 2015 #39

public school teachers in wealthy suburbs definitely make six figures tk2kewl Oct 2015 #55

California teachers used to qualify for both... YvonneCa Oct 2015 #60

Plenty of cops, firefighters, and teachers make more than $117K Recursion Oct 2015 #85

"I don't want to raise taxes on anyone"... Riiiight whathehell Oct 2015 #31

They know they can't cut current Boomers benefits because Boomers have the voting liberal_at_heart Oct 2015 #59

You Mean A Certain Female Democrat That Wants To Be President Will Let SS Die A Death By.... global1 Oct 2015 #89

Looking for what is staring one right in the face is ridiculous. Autumn Oct 2015 #4

Sounds good to me... trumad Oct 2015 #5

Means testing is step #1 in destroying any spending program. jeff47 Oct 2015 #33

Means testing is the first step to taking it away. Fawke Em Oct 2015 #42

"We're not twisting it." No, we are not. nt antigop Oct 2015 #48

That so many people here heard "means testing" proves we're not. Fawke Em Oct 2015 #50

Who else but Wall Street would be administering the means test. Private testing costs money. DhhD Oct 2015 #82

she wants to introduce "means testing". nt antigop Oct 2015 #6

That's what I heard..means testing. nt haikugal Oct 2015 #8

Which will screw the middle class again lostnfound Oct 2015 #32

Yep. nt antigop Oct 2015 #38

Yes! Trying to make Soc Sec and Medicare look like hand-out systems. Free giveaways. madfloridian Oct 2015 #65

Exactly. Means testing makes it a welfare program. senz Oct 2015 #68

Means-testing involves delays that can take years. daredtowork Oct 2015 #80

that would be how I read it rurallib Oct 2015 #9

"you can set one SS recipient against another" +1000 nt antigop Oct 2015 #12

Yes...that's how I read it, also. n/t KoKo Oct 2015 #34

" I will focus on helping those people who need it the most." antigop Oct 2015 #7

Yup, that would be means testing. TM99 Oct 2015 #14

and people will vote against their own interest. nt antigop Oct 2015 #16

Most Americans, no matter their race TM99 Oct 2015 #43

well, it's not like the corporate media actually reports on the issues. antigop Oct 2015 #46

Yes and yes TM99 Oct 2015 #53

Which we've done for 30 years by taxing benefits that take total income over $32K Recursion Oct 2015 #86

Yup. Positioned very well to start filleting away those who don't need it so much. Dissecting will Ed Suspicious Oct 2015 #17

yep, it's right there. nt antigop Oct 2015 #19

That is means testing. We already have a program called jwirr Oct 2015 #28

The SSI floor is too low in my opinion exboyfil Oct 2015 #37

Yes, it has never been adjusted since it became a law. So jwirr Oct 2015 #45

To me SSI demonstrates the danger of spending without a dedicated revenue stream Recursion Oct 2015 #87

Yes, but it covers a huge group of people not just the elderly. jwirr Oct 2015 #91

I had an aunt who raised 3 children and was out of the main stream work force Historic NY Oct 2015 #10

The big problem was the medical bills, wasn't it? Human101948 Oct 2015 #13

She might have been able to apply under her husband's contribution jeff47 Oct 2015 #35

He was self-employed but wasn't good with finances... Historic NY Oct 2015 #52

O'Malley has a plan that begins to address that, incidentally Recursion Oct 2015 #88

She's still talking in Third Way tongue. Broward Oct 2015 #15

Imagine that. Enthusiast Oct 2015 #72

Sometimes you can read thing a little too carefully moobu2 Oct 2015 #18

and...thanks for the kick so more people can actually read what she said. nt antigop Oct 2015 #21

That's why a follow up question for specifics is warranted. EndElectoral Oct 2015 #23

Not when it's a lawyer or politician making the statement Fumesucker Oct 2015 #67

My parents are both on Social Security... one_voice Oct 2015 #20

Read up on senior's situations before Social Security EndElectoral Oct 2015 #24

Yes, they were much worse off than we are even when we jwirr Oct 2015 #29

You don't have to have a lot of children and poor relative to find it difficult to save. Fawke Em Oct 2015 #51

It's just a short snip Babel_17 Oct 2015 #22

Yet another reason I will not vote for Hillary Clinton. JDPriestly Oct 2015 #25

Instead of raising the, which gets raised every year anyway, how about paying back lostnfound Oct 2015 #36

I think you are confusing the COLA with the cap. The COLA jwirr Oct 2015 #98

Not confused.. The cap has risen in most years, as follow: lostnfound Oct 2015 #99

Thank you. I did not know that. jwirr Oct 2015 #100

I still agree with the idea that we need a more progressive tax rate in general but.. lostnfound Oct 2015 #102

I agree. And I think Bernie might be the only candidate jwirr Oct 2015 #103

The cap on SS wages needs to be raised or done away with. Blus4u Oct 2015 #40

JD, the wealthy benefit from the whole arrangement antigop Oct 2015 #44

Sounds like Obama's Chained CPI proposal. Eric J in MN Oct 2015 #26

Sounds like she wants to move Social Security toward a "need-based" welfare program Cheese Sandwich Oct 2015 #30

and I hope people understand the difference. nt antigop Oct 2015 #47

In part it already is exboyfil Oct 2015 #54

Wow, you can say that again. highprincipleswork Oct 2015 #41

She wants to do away with social security just like Obama!!! zappaman Oct 2015 #49

That is similar to what people said in 1983 when the system was reformed Samantha Oct 2015 #57

kick nt antigop Oct 2015 #61

"Needs based" = welfare. lumberjack_jeff Oct 2015 #62

Gee if she hadn't supported Welfare Deform..... Armstead Oct 2015 #63

"I'm going to look for ways to try to make sure it's solvent into the future." hay rick Oct 2015 #64

My first thought was...that's Chained CPI lingo Oilwellian Oct 2015 #78

Raises this question in my mind: hay rick Oct 2015 #83

Apparently an unimportant issue to the pundits who raved about her "performance." senz Oct 2015 #70

Who cares -what- she said. She was just so poised & looked so presidential. RiverLover Oct 2015 #75

I do not trust any politician who talks like that. I am CharlotteVale Oct 2015 #71

Means testing will make social security into welfare. We all know how that worked out in the past. Enthusiast Oct 2015 #73

One of two very serious issues I have with her and the Democratic Party's mmonk Oct 2015 #74

I won't be voting for that. azmom Oct 2015 #76

Kicking because this issue is very important to the majority of Americans. senz Oct 2015 #79

ditto DemReadingDU Oct 2015 #84

This Is A Very Important Difference Between Bernie & Hillary And At The Next Debate.... global1 Oct 2015 #90

BS response. Sanders raised the question of where she stands on the Chained CPI and sabrina 1 Oct 2015 #92

Does this mean my disabled children have to reach a certain level mmonk Oct 2015 #93

mmonk, very good question. I really wish Social Security would be brought up at the debates. antigop Oct 2015 #94