Joe Biden saying he will cut Social Security & Medicare

[Flash]

Bullshit....one must qualify to get SS benefits....work a certain numbers of quarters.

Not for all cases. But most recipients collect more in benefits than they paid in payroll taxes. A guy who dies at 25 with a wife and 2 kids has paid very little in SS taxes. But, his kids get benefits until they turn 18 and the wife gets benefits for each child until they turn 16. Some disabled people have not worked enough to collect benefits but are still eligible in some cases.

A divorced woman who was married to her ex spouse at least ten years can collect on their ex's record even if she never worked. This does not lower the ex's benefits or his current spouse.

 

[Flash]

I would think that Covid removed countless thousands from the SS retirement rolls?

Covid caused many more people to retire and collect SS.

 

[Joe Capitalist]

Nope, I support Trump who unlike biden said he would support social security and medicare.

So you support a criminal:

Trump Admits Misusing Charity Funds, Settles Lawsuit Against Trump Foundation

President Donald Trump must personally pay $2 million in fines because he illegally used his charity to benefit his 2016 candidacy. A state judge in New York delivered the judgment on Thursday afternoon. The judicially-assessed penalty must be paid to a number of nonprofit organizations in the Empire State.

Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse, awards accuser $5M


NEW YORK (AP) — A jury found Donald Trump liable Tuesday for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996, awarding her $5 million in a judgment.

Donald Trump found liable for fraud in New York civil case

NEW YORK, Sept 26 (Reuters) - A New York judge found Donald Trump and his family business fraudulently inflated the value of his properties and other assets, in a major defeat for the former U.S. president that could severely hamper his ability to do business in the state.

Trump did nothing for 187 minutes as Capitol riot unfolded.

As rioters swarmed the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, and aides begged Donald Trump to help stop the violence, the then-president watched TV in his West Wing dining room

“Within 15 minutes of leaving the stage, President Trump knew that the Capitol was besieged and under attack,” Luria said, adding:*“At 1:25, President Trump went to the private dining room off the Oval Office. From 1:25 until 4:00, the president stayed in his dining room … The TV was tuned to Fox News all afternoon.”

 

[Althea]

Social Security is a popular program because everybody who pays taxes gets benefits. Using means testing makes it a welfare program and less popular. Rather than increasing taxes I would prefer eliminating those benefits for those who do not need it and were not part of the original purpose.

1. Crack down on those receiving SS disability payments who are not disabled.
2. Get rid of early retirement at 62. About 70% of workers retire early before their full retirement age (now 66 and soon to be 67).
3. Eliminate full benefits for those who are full retirement age and still working full-time.
4. Eliminate benefits for those married to someone for ten years.
5. Reduce formula for COLAs

That was always my first argument.

Taxes are collected on those in #3

Not sure I understand #4?

The wealthiest in the nation pay no FICA. Cap gains (from investment) over $250k/year can be subject to FICA. Especially given the extremely low cap gains rates.


Right now the money is earning 4% as it sits in treasuries, which is a marked increase over the last 5 years.

I think reducing/eliminating fraud in SSDI is key.

 

[Hawkeye10]

Not for all cases. But most recipients collect more in benefits than they paid in payroll taxes. A guy who dies at 25 with a wife and 2 kids has paid very little in SS taxes. But, his kids get benefits until they turn 18 and the wife gets benefits for each child until they turn 16. Some disabled people have not worked enough to collect benefits but are still eligible in man cases.

A divorced woman who was married to her ex spouse at least ten years can collect on their ex's record even if she never worked. This does not lower the ex's benefits or his current spouse.

Moving Goalposts:

Social Security is a popular program because everybody who pays taxes gets benefits.

 

[Flash]

T

I think reducing/eliminating fraud in SSDI is key.

I have known psychologists who test applicants for disability for mental disorders. It is a very lucrative job and it is made clear to them that if they reject too many disability claims they will no longer be used for testing.

 

[Flash]

Not sure I understand #4?

Let's take an extreme example. A woman marries a wealthy man. She has never worked and paid in no SS taxes. She divorces him and gets $5 million. If she was married to him for ten years she can collect from his SS account. Cutting this benefit obviously does not hurt a poor little grandmother.

 

[Althea]

I have known psychologists who test applicants for disability for mental disorders. It is a very lucrative job and it is made clear to them that if they reject too many disability claims they will no longer be used for testing.

Decades ago I had a young couple as tenants for a very brief while. He was in his mid twenties and at that time he was getting $600+/month in SSDI because he couldn't work.

His 'disability' was his temper. He kept beating up his bosses, so they considered him disabled.

 

[Althea]

I have known psychologists who test applicants for disability for mental disorders. It is a very lucrative job and it is made clear to them that if they reject too many disability claims they will no longer be used for testing.

It's common practice to be rejected once or twice before being given benefits.

Which is why there are law firms that specialize in getting you bennies the first time around.

As with too many issues, it's cheaper to pay than to litigate.