A) how much I made each year when I was working (it's listed for every year)

B) when I decide to start collecting (62, 65, 67, etc) and

C) given that their estimation of my salary/contributions over the years until I decide to collect is correct.

If it is not dependent on what you put in... WTF is this report for? Do we all get the same amount every month (nope)?

I have a pension at work (CalPers), so we do not pay into SS. I am still eligible for it because I paid into it for 22 years before that. I have decided I will collect ASAP, even if that means a smaller amount. I don't want to die before I get back what I put in. Screw that ponzi scheme!

And both parties agreed to the robbery.

just making sure that some untouchables get their due "credit".

Politicians, they only look different.

so true.

I'm not even a Regan hater, but there are things I've liked and things I've detested done by each side and the truth is the truth.

I have a stepson on SSA and not because he is nervous- he had a stroke and lost the use of his right side. Can't drive, can't work and some want to cut him off. Just like Reagan's other gift- the homeless.

Have a SIL on SSA because of all the health problems that come with years of drug abuse. Never worked a day in her life, but has better health coverage than what we work & pay for. COPD, Hep, Diabetes, Gastric Bypass Surgery, enough meds to make any junkie happy, plus living expenses for her and 2 kids - one of which was also on SSA at the age of 12 for "mental" issues (well Da!) At 12yrs old he never worked or contributed, but he collected $800/month - go figure.

There are some that need and rightly deserve the help. However they are just as many that abuse/milk the system for everything it's worth and take away from those that truly need it. Some should be left to fall and deal with the circumstance they created themselves. Simply put, you shouldn't be able collect more than you put in.

SS should be abolished, or you should at least have the choice of whether you want to participate or not.

Talking about entitlement, talk to someone who has been in public secondary education for 25 plus years and get their take on the change in student and parent behaviors over the course of those years. You will probably find that when they entered the education field that, for the most part, the schools/teachers were supported by most parents. Now fast forward to the present day and the schools/teachers can't do anything right. Parents are now called helicopter parents who hover over their children blaming the school when Johnny doesn't get the A or make the team or get an award like one of his friends did. And the current problem is not coming from just one segment of the population but across the board. This is a classic example of how our society has evolved and why we give trophies for participation.

🌫

I do know what you say to be true, but more so in certain districts, perhaps more divided by socio-economic dynamics, perhaps not. And all of us (yes, even me) feel we have a line on the world by our own immediate reality and experiences. But not all communities have been evolving in the same direction.

So, my wife recently retired (speech & language pathologist/speech "terrorist") from our town's school system with 35 years of beyond belief dedication behind her. One of our children is a 6th year high school English teacher in the same system. Their experiences differ re: changes from the op, not to say they are positive changes. But Helicopter Parents and entitled brats are not involved.

Yup, there are many kids that leave teachers stunned here, but here it's more likely from their parents expecting the teachers to teach discipline and respect instead of having taken care of that in the home before the kids reached school age...bear in mind I speak only of the problem kids, not an entire generation, but entitlement is not what is happening in our town. Our issues stem rather from parents working 3 jobs and likely no English spoken at home. Believe me, they'd love to be more involved but it may take another generation or two. These kids are not spoiled, soft, me me me American kids, yet. PTA meetings are very quiet affairs.

When we moved here 30 years ago, the population mix was good for us, the schools were excellent...fast forward to now and for whatever reason, the schools have bottomed out (recovering now finally) and the town has been hit harder than several of our more affluent neighboring towns. So in my immediate world, the good old days were way better, too. As it will be for my children when they become FOGS.

Same thing, only different!

how can I argue when you are right?

Thanks

For example, let's say those that paid in $1000 total for their lifetime may get $5 a month. Those that paid in less may (or may not) get less. Or the number could be $10 or it could be $1 or it could be $12. While there is an equation that gets you there (unfortunately I've had the privelage of calculating it) it is not relative to what you actually put in. At least not totally or anywhere close to it.

Ie it may effect the sliding scale but that's it. The ponzi scheme is more accurate. It's the same issue as Medicare. There is no premium based on medical expense plus admin. Instead there is money coming in from folks not yet in the program....no real relativity. There is a total disconnect between incoming money and expenditures. It's the same problem with the government as a whole. If the gov or any of these programs had to live on actual money coming in they would fail.

Medicare claims to have a 2-3% admin rate compared to 15% and up in the real world. Thus they are more efficient right? I'd say no. It's an accounting gimmick based on the fact that there is no direct relationship between premium and payment. It's the same for ssa.

I'm not articulating it well, it's one of those things better done verbally unless I want to put a ton of time in to it. It's like trying to explain a simple average vs a weighted average and the implications. None of this changes the fact I took us on a tangent not really related to the OP.

But check this... that same $5,500 a year, x 22 years at a modest 7% interest and you've got damn near $300,000. So if uncle sugar is investing MY money right, he wins if I die before I collect it all or if I die before I collect ANY.

I get it. And I still think it's bullsh*t. Let me keep my money and worry about my own retirement.

*figures pulled out of my ass to illustrate an example.

Now what were you saying about leaving the kids in the hole because of the national debt ?