At the Social Security Office

[Jaybird]

Posted this on the other forum, but did not seem to rattle too many cages.

The wife wanted to stop in the SS office this morning to ask a question about her possible Social Security. The place was packed. Mostly with maybe twentysomething people, pregnant , or towing young children, with perhaps mates or fathers of the kids with them. Along with a couple of large non English speaking familys with female members and children as well. There was a very slight sprinkling of us old people that appeared to be approaching or at SS age. Finally our number came up after about an hour. The gentleman gave us the info we wanted, which is what we expected. My wife worked since she was 16, odd jobs and teaching in the Catholic school system, so she has more than enough quarters to get a SS check. However since she gets a partial pension check (she didn't pay into the system for 27years) from the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association she can not receive anything from SS because of what is called The Government Pension Offset Rule. What a real crock. Me being a smart arse, I asked if SS was still for old people and the kind gentleman said that SS age people are just a small fraction of what they now handle. As we left my wife said she guessed what she paid in is going to everybody else. I suppose I just had to rant, because I just saw in the morning paper that Social Security will be broke by 2037. And I wonder why???? Perhaps I don't have a right to be upset with all those underprivileged recepients. They just seem to be able to work the system.

[E_]

Did you ask how many of them actually paid in to the system?

[re3too]

Did you ask how many of them actually paid in to the system?

Now, now....that would not be "politically correct"!

[katie]

Funny I pop in and see this as one of the new topics... seriously, this has been a thorn in my side all night long.

I'm thinking to myself, SS will be broke in 27 YEARS????? Think about it. This is our ELITE LEADERS telling us they have no clue how to fix this issue in 27 years God I would love to ask some questions in person to one of the jackasses we call our gov't.

Here's an idea..... quit paying checks to people who have NEVER paid into it!!!

Sorry Jaybird, I probably would not have been able to hold my tongue... I'll be arrested when it's my time I'm sure.

[Jaybird]

Did you ask how many of them actually paid in to the system?

Trying not to be judgemental, but from appearances, I get a gut feeling that most have not paid into the system nor will anytime soon. IMO

[Jaybird]

Just a little more info about the visit. Not only will she not get anthing from SS based on her contributions because 2/3s of her teacher pension exceeds the amont she would get from SS, she will get very little if any from my SS check if I kick the bucket. 2/3s of her pension would be deducted from my amount and there ain't much left after that. Double crock of crap.I suppose that is why you see quality teachers leaving their professions to work out in world and not too many leaving their professions in the world to become teachers.

[E_]

has this always been the law or did something change recently?

[Jaybird]

It is actually the Windfall Elimination Provision. Before 1983 it was possible to get a pension from a job that did not pay into system and have SS benefits calculated as if they were long term ,low wage workers. So now SS uses what is called the Government Pension Offset to rip off people such as my wife who worked since she was 16, was a substitute teacher for years and taught in the Catholic school system where she paid into SS. She only had 18 years in teacher retirement so she does not get full benefits or pension. I can see if you never paid in that you wouldn't get anything. But she paid in and what is worse, it affects mine SS for her if I die. The amount would be reduced by 2/3s of her pension leaving not very much. The fellow at the SS office says it will have an affect on him as well. But I bet his pension and benefit package is a heck of a lot more than a teacher's. Unless of course you were an administrator, principal or such.

[E_]

THanks for the info, now it makes MUCH more sense why you are angry.

(Sorry I am a little slow) lol

[Captain Bob]

And the Russian system is just as bad --if not worse.

http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc ... ussia.html

But, on the positive side, those people are so used to waiting in in long lines to speak with a political hack who knows nothing that they (apparently) don't see a problem.

After reading about several other "social security" plans (France, UK, Canada, Cuba, etc) I don't think there is a workable system out there. Well, maybe Iceland but everyone Must pay into it and the payout seems pretty meager.
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc ... eland.html

[Lock5]

The whole problem with SOCIALism is you soon run out of other peoples money........

[Just Chillin]

[jpatton]

I hear ya Jaybird. After my wife and I got married we had to go to SS to have her name changed. Just like your experience there were lots of young people with babies, SEVERAL Hispanic familes that spoke no English, and only 10-12 or so SS-aged people. We waited almost 2 hours to get called to the window for a process that took no more than 10 minutes. The guy was actually surprised that we brought all the required documentation/forms.

Here's a few ways to fix SS:

1.) Get rid of it. Everyone gets a payout of exactly what they've contributed, minus any money they've already received. If you're received more money that you've contributed, payments automatically cease. You will be solely responsible for your own retirement.

2.) Turn it into something similar to a bank and make it voluntary. Those that put money in get to collect interest on their balance. What money you put in can't be withdrawn until you reach SS age or become disabled. You can choose the amount you want to "withdraw" each month, either a pre-set amount or up to a maximum amount that takes into consideration the amount you've put in and how long you've been contributing. If you didn't put anything in you won't get anything out.

3.) STOP GIVING MONEY OUT TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT CONTRIBUTED!!!!!!!!

In 27 years I'll only be 58. So much for my SS retirement.

[katie]

1.) Get rid of it. Everyone gets a payout of exactly what they've contributed, minus any money they've already received. If you're received more money that you've contributed, payments automatically cease. You will be solely responsible for your own retirement.

2.) 3.) STOP GIVING MONEY OUT TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT CONTRIBUTED!!!!!!!!

I absolutely agree with you Johnny, there is absolutely NO reason that account should have been tapped into for anything, including taking care of people who have NEVER contributed and probably never will.....

There are enough of you "kids" out there to start a movement to get this done (and you have the internet too).... hell, me and re3too were part of a movement that said it was ok for ladies to go braless....
*just gotta start something...*

[re3too]

[katie]

LOL, had to bring you along with me re3, LC is too young to be part of that! Yeah baby, we were
(and don't forget the micro mini skirts, halter tops and hot pants... )

[re3too]

Yeah! We had to learn to sit in those things without givin' a peep show!

[katie]

no kidding! ooops, I think we have successfully hijacked this thread....

[re3too]

YES! It's what we do! That's why E loves us!