Government Begins Dipping Into Social Security Reserve; Social Security, Medicaid to Become Insolvent Faster Than Expected

Medicare's finances were downgraded in a new report from the program's trustees Tuesday, while the projection for Social Security's stayed the same as last year.
Medicare's hospital insurance fund will be depleted in 2026, said the trustees who oversee the benefit program in an annual report. That is three years earlier than projected last year.
This year, like last year, Social Security's trustees said the program's two trust funds would be depleted in 2034.
For the first time since 1982, Social Security has to dip into the trust fund to pay for the program this year.

Instapundit noted:

SUSTAINABILITY: In 16 years, Social Security will have to cut benefits by 21% if lawmakers do nothing to cure the program's long-term funding shortfall.

He also quotes a 63 year old, who realizes his Social Security payments may run out-- bankrupt -- before he dies.

This is partly Trump's fault, because he rejected any idea of reforming these systems to keep them solvent.

However, it is much more the media's fault. For 30 years, the media routinely published stories claiming the two parties' failure to address the looming crisis in entitlements proved the fundamental unseriousness of politicians.

They also routinely called for serious, courageous politicians to take the political risk of touching the third rail of American politics and putting forth a necessary, but politically dangerous, plan for reform.

Then something strange happened: In 2012, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan did in fact take that risk and put forth a realistic plan for reforming the system.

But the plan had two related problems: First, the serious, courageous politicians putting forth this plan happened to be from the Wrong Party, the party which can never be right, and therefore the media attacked their plan rather than praise the plan as mostly what they themselves had been demanding for 30 years.

Second, the media's political party, the Democrat Party, indulged its fundamental recklessness and unseriousneess and demagogued the plan. The media completely reversed its 30 years of calling for reform to the system to demagoguge the plan right alongside its Democrat Party allies.

The media thus shifted the prospect of reforming entitlements from "politically dangerous" to "outright impossible."

The idea that anyone would push entitlement reform with the Democrat Media Complex demagoging any plan as pushing grandma off the cliff is now officially absurd.

So bow and take your applause, media. Your insane unprincipled partisanship has once again aided in bankrupting and destroying the country.

Posted by: Ace of Spades at 01:37 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Foist!

Posted by: LGoPs at June 11, 2018 01:29 PM (FWsqf)

2 nope. not first.

Posted by: BluesFish at June 11, 2018 01:30 PM (iSksr)

3 ummm "involvement"??????

Posted by: Ben Wa at June 11, 2018 01:30 PM (FTPVM)

4 I thought Obola fixed that shit.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at June 11, 2018 01:30 PM (+y/Ru)

5 I turn 62 in two years. With any luck they'll be out of money by then. . .

Posted by: Sphynx at June 11, 2018 01:31 PM (rXie1)

6 There is no "lock box" or "trust fund". More politician's lies. The only way out if the economic mess we're in is to inflate our way out of it, which means everyone who has saved responsibly will see the buying power of those savings vanish.
Things will get much, much worse before they get any better.

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 01:32 PM (UBzPO)

7 Government Begins Dipping Into Social Security Reserve; Social Security, Medicaid to Become Involvement Faster Than Expected

++++

I think you got your headline wrong. It's Medicare that's running out of money. Since Medicaid is 100% welfare, I don't think there even is a trust fund for that.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at June 11, 2018 01:32 PM (pvjTE)

8 This is partly Trump's fault, because he rejected any idea of reforming these systems to keep them solvent.

--

Yeah, no. It is not trump's fault that he hasn't worked on absolutely every issue facing the country, especially when he's not the one who caused any of them in the first place.

This is super villain moral logic. If the Joker has two people in separate locations ties to bombs and Batman can only save one, it's not Batman's fault for not saving the other one, it's still the Joker's fault for putting them both there in the first place.

Posted by: Joe, living dangerously at June 11, 2018 01:33 PM (mk7Bj)

9 I knew SS would be toast long before I saw a penny way back last century.

Essentially I've been and will be taxed 14+ percent of my wages for the entirety of my working life. Yeah, that sounds fair. Not bitter about that at all, because "social pact" and all the other warmed over bromides that have been shoved at me for years.

Posted by: TCDD, pointin' and laughin' at June 11, 2018 01:33 PM (QGNGb)

10 Isn't this where they establish a bi-partisan conference to solve the issue? Maybe they put some media reps on the panel too. Paul Ryan could come back as a staffer to work on this - it really was his forte.

Posted by: Iris at June 11, 2018 01:33 PM (dYDe7)

11 I'll retire when I'm dead.

Posted by: Roland THTG at June 11, 2018 01:33 PM (xBSm0)

12 I thought Manbearpig told us that the funds were in a lock box and would never be compromised.

Posted by: Archer at June 11, 2018 01:33 PM (gmo/4)

13 I remember when Dubya tried a small reform - investing 1 or 2% privately IIRC - and the leftist media hacks and their Democrat Party controllers went for his throat. And he backed off. But at least he tried and was eviscerated for it.

When the collapse comes that may be the trigger point for pitchforks and torches mobs. And just remember who to go after. The aforementioned propaganda hacks and their Democrat benefactors.

Posted by: LGoPs at June 11, 2018 01:33 PM (FWsqf)

14 IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE TRUMP IS THE GOD EMPEROR

Posted by: BEN ROTHLICKBURGER at June 11, 2018 01:33 PM (FTPVM)

15 Ace,

I am actually shocked that SS benefits would require a cut of only 21% in 16 years. My default assumption has always been that it would simply disappear for most retirees.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at June 11, 2018 01:34 PM (wYseH)

16 Instapundit noted:

++++

Stephen Green, blogging at Instapundit wrote that. I had a feeling before I clicked, since the Instapundit himself, Glenn Reynolds, is on a vacation. Supposed to be back sometime this week, though.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at June 11, 2018 01:34 PM (pvjTE)

17 We need more illegal aliens to pay into the...oh wait. - GOPe

Posted by: Archer at June 11, 2018 01:34 PM (gmo/4)

18 Yeah, I don't see how Trump, who has had a tough time even getting his nominees cleared, let alone substantive legislation, is to blame for this. Not having a solution at hand for a problem that entirely predates his political career does not make him to blame.

Posted by: Bear with Assymetrical Balls at June 11, 2018 01:35 PM (LgxQn)

19 " I'll retire when I'm dead."

Just so.

They'll find me assuming room temperature in a cubicle.

But I'll proudly know that I've contributed 14% of my career wages to help uh, do stuff and things!

Posted by: TCDD, pointin' and laughin' at June 11, 2018 01:36 PM (QGNGb)

20 By 2034.

A lot will happen by 2034. For example, in 1980 there were people saying that we had to adjust to the new reality that the Soviet Union was likely to be victorious. Sixteen years later and it was "What is a "Soviet Union"?"

Posted by: Mikey NTH - The Outrage Outlet Proudly Sponsors The Last Voyage of the Sea Cuck! at June 11, 2018 01:36 PM (hLRSq)

21 This is partly Trump's fault, because he rejected any idea of reforming these systems to keep them solvent.

------------

I have a hard time putting an ounce of blame on a guy who has been President for the last 2% of the current entitlement lifecycle.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 01:36 PM (sX1BW)

22 It's hard to fix SS because every time someone mentions fixing it, the throw grandma off the cliff memes come out.

Posted by: Bruuuuce. at June 11, 2018 01:36 PM (y8Foj)

23 I think there is a long term plan regarding social security, the same type of plan that gave us Obamacare. A national pension program. Pension plans around the country, especially California, are under water. Social Security is going into the nonexistent lock box. National Pension fund, problem solved. Opportunity to grab the 401k's which the libs have been thirsting after. Then the government takes over all pension plans and determines what we get paid. This eliminates social security and gives the government control over more of the economy.

Posted by: LMD Outer Banker at June 11, 2018 01:36 PM (YuQLm)

24 I'll retire when I'm dead."

You'll start voting democrat, then, too.

Posted by: Joe, living dangerously at June 11, 2018 01:36 PM (mk7Bj)

25 Does it really surprise anyone that the policy which was decried as a pyramid scheme before it was implemented turned out to be a pyramid scheme?

Posted by: The UN at June 11, 2018 01:36 PM (qJjzH)

26 When the SS checks stop rolling, the economic and societal repercussions will make the great depression look like a bacchanal.

Posted by: BluesFish at June 11, 2018 01:37 PM (iSksr)

27 They also routinely called for serious, courageous politicians to take the political risk of touching the third rail of American politics and putting forth a necessary, but politically dangerous, plan for reform.

----------

All they really wanted was tax increases.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 01:37 PM (sX1BW)

28 But the plan had two related problems: First, the serious, courageous politicians putting forth this plan happened to be from the Wrong Party, the party which can never be right, and therefore the media attacked their plan rather than praise the plan as mostly what they themselves had been demanding for 30 years.

Second, the media's political party, the Democrat Party, indulged its fundamental recklessness and unseriousneess and demagogued the plan. The media completely reversed its 30 years of calling for reform to the system to demagoguge the plan right alongside its Democrat Party allies.

The only solution that would be accepted by the left is complete seizure of all private retirement accounts, along with massive tax increases, and seizure of all assets at death.

Posted by: Colorado Alex In Exile at June 11, 2018 01:37 PM (Tnhbr)

29 And really, there's nothing to "solve" anyway. You have 3 possible options: raise taxes, dissolve the programs, or reduce benefits (or some combination of these).

Posted by: Bear with Assymetrical Balls at June 11, 2018 01:38 PM (LgxQn)

30 Levin was talking about this last week. He said the problem is the age you can start accepting money. 65 was chosen in the 1900's because people weren't living that long. The number never changed, and with people living longer, it drains the system.

Posted by: Wyatt at June 11, 2018 01:38 PM (Agn5J)

31 Medicaid is always insolvent.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 11, 2018 01:38 PM (yQpMk)

32 All people need to know about the sustainability of Social Security and Medicare can be learned from episodes of the old cartoon Popeye.

Wimpy: "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today".

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at June 11, 2018 01:38 PM (jxbfJ)

33 I think there is a long term plan regarding social security, the same type of plan that gave us Obamacare. A national pension program. Pension plans around the country, especially California, are under water. Social Security is going into the nonexistent lock box. National Pension fund, problem solved. Opportunity to grab the 401k's which the libs have been thirsting after. Then the government takes over all pension plans and determines what we get paid. This eliminates social security and gives the government control over more of the economy.
Posted by: LMD Outer Banker at June 11, 2018 01:36 PM (YuQLm)

They've started making noises about how "unfair" it is that Roth IRAs allow people to "evade" taxes when they retire.

Posted by: Colorado Alex In Exile at June 11, 2018 01:38 PM (Tnhbr)

34 I say make Mexico pay for it.

Posted by: ShainS at June 11, 2018 01:38 PM (6Rml8)

35 "Does it really surprise anyone that the policy which was decried as a pyramid scheme before it was implemented turned out to be a pyramid scheme?"

Shouldn't you be out pushing someone's gramma off a cliff, you big meanie?

Posted by: TCDD, pointin' and laughin' at June 11, 2018 01:38 PM (QGNGb)

36 Social Security has been spending more than it take sin since 2010. It was only be the accounting trick of counting immigrant interest in the imaginary trust fund to kick the can down the road for a few years. What will be their next trick?

Oh yeah. The anchor babies will fix this problem.They will all be super high earners who will also gladly pay more taxes to pay more taxes to support people they have been trained to hate. Yeah, that's the ticket.

Posted by: Ripley at June 11, 2018 01:39 PM (MxEKc)

37 Said this on the morning post.

Start the Mean's Testing Now. Let's get on with it. The sooner we collapse this pyramid, the sooner we can move on.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 01:39 PM (sX1BW)

38 Sore subject for me. Turned 65, 48 hours ago. I feel like poultry with me backside targeted. Work till I croak I suppose.

Posted by: Xipe Totec at June 11, 2018 01:39 PM (o2MD2)

39 Solution is simple: kill all seniors

Posted by: NHS Liverpool Pathway at June 11, 2018 01:39 PM (hMwEB)

40 I remember telling my folks that I'd gladly surrender all of my social security claims in return for my kids not having to pay into that Ponzi scheme.

Posted by: Alylilg at June 11, 2018 01:39 PM (VTxIj)

41 But they give disability to junkies, wet backs and baby mamas.

Posted by: Roland THTG at June 11, 2018 01:39 PM (xBSm0)

42 My "retirement party" will be gravediggers shoveling dirt on my casket.

Posted by: Guzalot at June 11, 2018 01:39 PM (prSvo)

43 And honestly, Paul Ryan and his gaggle of cucks punted this issue more than once. Always promised to fix it, and did - shock - nothing.

Posted by: Wyatt at June 11, 2018 01:39 PM (Agn5J)

44 It's a shame we can't find billions of dollars that are annualy spent on optional things, such as illegal immigrants, eh?

Why take care of senior, most of whom have paid taxes, paid into the system, when you can be making sure some dude who crossed the border last year has a house, medical care, and school for his 6 kids...

Posted by: Lizzy at June 11, 2018 01:40 PM (W+vEI)

45 Sigh, I'm part of the problem, Disabled at 43, I'm 50 now. SSDI won't last until I Die. Guess I should just die and not be a burden. I hate the fact I take SSDI, I really do. I have no other options. True disability sucks ass. I hate the slimy fucks who have defrauded the system who can work but choose to suck on the SSDI tit instead. Fuck me!

Posted by: USNtakim prfoundly deplorable! at June 11, 2018 01:40 PM (0OmEj)

46 can't sleep trump will eat me can't sleep trump will eat me can't sleep trump will eat me can't sleep trump will eat me can't sleep trump will eat me can't sleep trump will eat me can't sleep trump will eat me can't sleep trump will eat me can't sleep trump will eat me can't sleep trump will eat me can't sleep trump will eat me can't sleep trump will eat me can't sleep trump will eat me ..

Posted by: Robert DeNiro at June 11, 2018 01:40 PM (yQpMk)

47 Levin was talking about this last week. He said the problem is the age you can start accepting money. 65 was chosen in the 1900's because people weren't living that long. The number never changed, and with people living longer, it drains the system.
Posted by: Wyatt at June 11, 2018 01:38 PM (Agn5J)

Some families have two generations collecting SS at the same time--I mean two RETIRED generations...

Posted by: JoeF. at June 11, 2018 01:40 PM (y8Foj)

48 Does it really surprise anyone that the policy which was decried as a pyramid scheme before it was implemented turned out to be a pyramid scheme?
Posted by: The UN at June 11, 2018 01:36 PM (qJjzH)

New plan: SS is now opt in. And you can refer your friends. And for each friend you refer, you receive a percentage of their benefits too!

Posted by: Joe, living dangerously at June 11, 2018 01:40 PM (mk7Bj)

49 29
And really, there's nothing to "solve" anyway. You have 3 possible
options: raise taxes, dissolve the programs, or reduce benefits (or some
combination of these).

Posted by: Bear with Assymetrical Balls at June 11, 2018 01:38 PM (LgxQn)

Actually, there is a fourth: Follow the EU model, import tens of thousands of immigrants (who happen to be Muslim and want all infidels dead). These are new taxpayers (at least that was the idea). They'll help pay for it.

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at June 11, 2018 01:41 PM (jxbfJ)

50 Too many old geezers draining the system. We need to rid ourselves of old geezers. Carousel!!!

Posted by: Archer at June 11, 2018 01:41 PM (gmo/4)

51 >>>Some families have two generations collecting SS at the same time--I mean two RETIRED generations...

Therein lies the main problem.

Posted by: Wyatt at June 11, 2018 01:41 PM (Agn5J)

52 Work till I croak I suppose.

Posted by: Xipe Totec at June 11, 2018 01:39 PM (o2MD2)

That only amplifies the problem by keeping your young replacement out of the workforce and thus not contributing into the ponzi scheme..

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 01:41 PM (UBzPO)

53 Once you realize that all the major wealth transfer programs are really just vote buying programs, you begin to understand why none of them will ever see reform so long as a politician wants to be re-elected.

This is also why the media relations arm of the Democratic party, also known as the Media, jump all over serious attempts to reform the programs.

They know what is at stake.

This is also why the DNC and the media support unlimited immigration, because 3rd world immigrants from Latin America, Asia, and Africa vote Democratic.

Posted by: Unknownsailor at June 11, 2018 01:41 PM (IX2GI)

54 "They've started making noises about how "unfair" it is that Roth IRAs allow people to "evade" taxes when they retire."

Yup.

Believe it was 3-4 years ago during mincy halitosis's second term they first floated a "trial balloon" about privatizing 401Ks. For everyone's convenience, of course.

this is how this krep starts...

Posted by: TCDD, pointin' and laughin' at June 11, 2018 01:41 PM (QGNGb)

55 or more seriously, outlawing planned infanticide might help

moar baybees mean moar workers paying in

Posted by: votermom pimping NEW Moron-authored books! at June 11, 2018 01:41 PM (hMwEB)

56 I swear...the nood notices are off these days.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 01:42 PM (qyQS8)

57 >>They've started making noises about how "unfair" it is that Roth IRAs allow people to "evade" taxes when they retire.

That started early on in Obama's first term. The Union people who know their pensions are a disaster want their hands on everyone else's private retirement fund, bigtime.

If that happens it will be war.

Posted by: Lizzy at June 11, 2018 01:42 PM (W+vEI)

58 Bubba insists it was aokay to shove her on the be bite her lip and fuck her. You morons should check that story out. Why we put up with these criminals is beyond me.

Posted by: torabora at June 11, 2018 01:42 PM (60+Ss)

59 I've always expected my SS to be at best greatly reduced by the time I get it.

But the important thing is Public Servants pensions remaining fully funded.

Posted by: Cm9000 at June 11, 2018 01:42 PM (fRU2t)

60 What does the group that play acts for a living tell us to think about this?

Posted by: LASue at June 11, 2018 01:42 PM (8eVay)

61 Destroying the Country is what the MSM does best

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 11, 2018 01:42 PM (Lg2h/)

62 "..partly Trump's fault." Wow, he's been in office a little over a year, so yeah, blame him, not GOP, Inc.

Posted by: Born Free at June 11, 2018 01:43 PM (ugGy+)

63 I have 0 problem with eliminating Social Security.

I guess that's what happens to people my age who've been told their whole lives that Social Security won't exist in time for my retirement (if I get one).

I accept it.

Fine. If it's gonna crash and burn, do it now so I can stop paying into it.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 01:43 PM (qyQS8)

64 Just print more money! Turn those machines back on!!!

Posted by: Archer at June 11, 2018 01:43 PM (gmo/4)

65 Shouldn't you be out pushing someone's gramma off a cliff, you big meanie?
_____________________________________________
I will write a strongly worded letter suggesting that grandmothers throw themselves off cliffs.

Posted by: The UN at June 11, 2018 01:44 PM (qJjzH)

66 64 Just print more money! Turn those machines back on!!!
Posted by: Archer at June 11, 2018 01:43 PM (gmo/4)

============

Is that you, Paul Krugman?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 01:44 PM (qyQS8)

67 In the early 80s my dad told me to not count on ss being around for me. Lucky for me he taught me how to act accordingly.

Posted by: LASue at June 11, 2018 01:44 PM (8eVay)

68 Eh. I've known for quite some time now entitlements won't be there for me and that I'll die in the traces. I'm going to take up smoking and eat a lot more salt just to hurry things along.

Posted by: joncelli, providing the traditional responses at June 11, 2018 01:44 PM (RD7QR)

69 64
Just print more money! Turn those machines back on!!!

Posted by: Archer at June 11, 2018 01:43 PM (gmo/4)

You joke but that's exactly what they're going to do.

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 01:44 PM (UBzPO)

70 Social security: your grandparents bribing you with your grandchildren's money.

Posted by: Joe, living dangerously at June 11, 2018 01:44 PM (mk7Bj)

71 "..partly Trump's fault." Wow, he's been in office a little over a year, so yeah, blame him, not GOP, Inc.

---------

Honestly, the fault is with the voters. More specifically, certain generations of voters. At this point, I can't really fault either party. Its the public.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 01:44 PM (sX1BW)

72 So bow and take your applause, media. Your insane unprincipled partisanship has once again aided in bankrupting and destroying the country.
Posted by: Ace of Spades at 01:37 PM

=====

"Oh, you ain't seen nothing yet, Mr. Ace." -- American Pravda

Posted by: ShainS at June 11, 2018 01:45 PM (Zgxv2)

73 64 Just print more money! Turn those machines back on!!!
Posted by: Archer

______________________________________

That's exactly what they'll do. Buy physical gold and silver people.

Posted by: Guzalot at June 11, 2018 01:45 PM (prSvo)

74 But they give disability to junkies, wet backs and baby mamas.
Posted by: Roland THTG at June 11, 2018 01:39 PM (xBSm0)

Making disability part and parcel of Social Security, instead of something separate, was a really bad and calculated mistake.

Posted by: Captain Hate at June 11, 2018 01:45 PM (y7DUB)

75 Honestly, the fault is with the voters. More specifically, certain generations of voters. At this point, I can't really fault either party. Its the public.

Didn't Schwarzenegger try to reform California pensions as well, and got slapped down by the voters?

Posted by: Colorado Alex In Exile at June 11, 2018 01:45 PM (Tnhbr)

76 I can fix SS in one easy step. Withhold all congressional pay and benefits until it's fixed.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at June 11, 2018 01:45 PM (+y/Ru)

77 "Fine. If it's gonna crash and burn, do it now so I can stop paying into it."

Seconded.

Posted by: TCDD, pointin' and laughin' at June 11, 2018 01:45 PM (QGNGb)

78 I've been repeatedly told that Social Security was in a LOCKBOX and could never run out of money

Posted by: malcolm Tex at June 11, 2018 01:46 PM (GSJcT)

79 The media thus shifted the prospect of reforming entitlements from "politically dangerous" to "outright impossible."

They're right - the system cannot and will not be reformed. Either a miracle will happen or the system will collapse, at least a half-decade earlier than anticipated.

Burn it down.

Posted by: DocJ at June 11, 2018 01:46 PM (NYS7S)

80 Has Louis Farrakhan explained this one yet? Can't wait.

Posted by: Meghan at June 11, 2018 01:46 PM (rBnYq)

81 BTW - since before my adult life I have been hearing how social security is getting ready to go bankrupt. Not that it can't, just that I have been hearing this since the late 1970's. I think Christ, Godot, and the OIG report will each come before Social Security goes bankrupt.

Posted by: Mikey NTH - The Outrage Outlet Proudly Sponsors The Last Voyage of the Sea Cuck! at June 11, 2018 01:46 PM (hLRSq)

82 Honestly, the fault is with the voters. More specifically, certain generations of voters. At this point, I can't really fault either party. Its the public.

Also spot on - we shall get what we deserve, good and hard.

Posted by: DocJ at June 11, 2018 01:47 PM (NYS7S)

83 Crap, some of us will never see what we put into Social Security over the years. BS.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at June 11, 2018 01:47 PM (fceHP)

84 81 BTW - since before my adult life I have been hearing how social security is getting ready to go bankrupt. Not that it can't, just that I have been hearing this since the late 1970's. I think Christ, Godot, and the OIG report will each come before Social Security goes bankrupt.
Posted by: Mikey NTH - The Outrage Outlet Proudly Sponsors The Last Voyage of the Sea Cuck! at June 11, 2018 01:46 PM (hLRSq)

==============

Hey! Let's all retire at once!

Posted by: The Baby Boomers at June 11, 2018 01:47 PM (PijNd)

85 That's exactly what they'll do. Buy physical gold and silver people.

Posted by: Guzalot at June 11, 2018 01:45 PM (prSvo)

Bullion will not help you. How will you make change for your $50,000 one ounce coin when buying a loaf of bread?
Buy land and seeds. Lots of seeds. Laugh all you want but that's what I've been doing. Pretty cheap too.

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 01:47 PM (UBzPO)

86 Let it burn

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at June 11, 2018 01:47 PM (Io2EV)

87 "I'm going to take up smoking and eat a lot more salt just to hurry things along."

Have I got a sammich fah you!

Posted by: Mr. Pappy of Mr. Pappy's Smoked Salt Pork and Lard Emporium at June 11, 2018 01:48 PM (QGNGb)

88 Confiscation of 401k. Everyone over 65 treated to socialism. Everyone else pays still. When the 401k monies run out. Everyone is treated to socialism.

Then we treat to all like baby Alice.

You're welcome.

Posted by: The demos and rinos of the deep state at June 11, 2018 01:48 PM (Vl/5w)

89 They're right - the system cannot and will not be reformed. Either a miracle will happen or the system will collapse, at least a half-decade earlier than anticipated.

Burn it down.

----------

It will be fixed when it needs to be fixed - which is not now. Even the article says 2034. That may not be smart, but that is simply reality.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 01:48 PM (sX1BW)

90 Crap, some of us will never see what we put into Social Security over the years. BS.

Been paying into the system since I was 16 (I'm now 52). I long-ago made peace with the fact that my parents' and their parents' generations completely fucked me over and I'll never, ever see a dime of the literally 10's of thousands (before interest) I paid into "The System"

Posted by: DocJ at June 11, 2018 01:49 PM (NYS7S)

91 "This is partly Trump's fault, because he rejected any idea of reforming these systems to keep them solvent."

Sorry Ace but Trump is in no way responsible for this. Even if he wanted to, nothing would happen. Lets give him a chance to evaluate whether growth has indeed solved it, and if it doesn't he may well take it on in Term 2.

By that time after all the winning Trump may well have built up enough credit and credibility to take it on and still win the election. He may do it sooner cuz I think he'll run out of promises to keep by year 3 of term 1.

Term 1 had to be tax cuts because the economy needed to get moving and the military funded to make everything else possible. Increases to military and cuts to Taxes, Medicare and SS couldn't be attempted in the same campaign, the Dem attack ads would write themselves.

Posted by: Dirks Strewn at June 11, 2018 01:49 PM (kfcYC)

92 I should not be burden maybe there is a way to solve the problem. Maybe an ultimate solution.

Posted by: USNtakim prfoundly deplorable! at June 11, 2018 01:49 PM (0OmEj)

93 He also quotes a 63 year old, who realizes his Social Security payments may run out-- bankrupt -- before he dies.

Boohoo mother fucker. Trying being 41 29 and realizing you will pay full SS tax and then watch it go bankrupt before you see a single penny back.

Posted by: wooga at June 11, 2018 01:49 PM (Fiwz/)

94 39 Solution is simple: kill all seniors

Posted by: NHS Liverpool Pathway at June 11, 2018 01:39 PM (hMwEB
-----
You rang?

Posted by: ObamaCare Death Panels at June 11, 2018 01:49 PM (iSksr)

95 I use to say until a few years ago the govt. could keep every damned penny I've paid in over 25years or so if hey would just let me opt out and do what I want with the money. Well that offer never came so now I am voting for higher taxes on Obama supporters.

Posted by: Ripley at June 11, 2018 01:49 PM (MxEKc)

96 This seems like a perfect time to explain why having the option to forgo that same percentage and be allowed to invest it yourself would help the problem but also provide the individual with even more money.

Shame we don't have an (R) senate or (R) house that could push this.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - I choose to live my life as a black woman at June 11, 2018 01:49 PM (VgKNm)

97 I can see that.'Turn over your 401K, and we'll get you your pension check.'

Posted by: Roland THTG at June 11, 2018 01:49 PM (xBSm0)

98 Umm - this is partly "Trump's fault?" The systematic bankrupting of social security by elected officials at the Federal level over the past 40 to 50 years? I am sorry Ace, but I must have missed where Trump was in a position to do anything about this as an elected official before, oh, I don't know, my memory is a bit hazy . . was it last year?
I must assume you meant someone else - Reagan perhaps? He would have been the only Republican with enough clout to do anything about this - Bush II tried something but was electrocuted touching that particular third rail of US politics thanks to, as you point out, the disgusting socialist MSM ( which is now actively, and outspokenly, calling for an intentional destruction of the US economy, and all our livelihoods just to "stop Trump" (from, well, assisting us with a robust economy and jobs - that evil evil Trump! He's literally Hitler!)

Anyway - you might want to correct that statement Ace - no sense in giving the rabid left MSM any headlines ( "See! Even conservative websites blame Trump for Social Securioty's impending failure!!!")

Posted by: Publius Redux at June 11, 2018 01:49 PM (Fb9aZ)

99 82 Honestly, the fault is with the voters. More specifically, certain generations of voters. At this point, I can't really fault either party. Its the public.

Also spot on - we shall get what we deserve, good and hard.
Posted by: DocJ at June 11, 2018 01:47 PM (NYS7S)

==============

One of my Constitutional Amendment ideas:

All laws passed by Congress and either signed into law by the President or veto overridden shall have a sunset provision of no more than 20 years.

No reactivation of a sunsetting law may be recorded on the same vote as any other sunsetting law [ed. no omnibus re-activations]. A law that receives no vote after the first 30 days of the session in which it expires is stricken from the federal register within no more than 14 days and may not be voted on after the 30th day of the session.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 01:50 PM (PijNd)

100 Couple of things. Folks seem to have forgotten that they jacked up the Social Security taxes back in the day, to cover the Boomers retirement. It was just too tempting to tap into that pool of money though.

Second, I don't want to see any changes until we get ALL illegals off the system first. I've read about Asian immigrants, coming in on chain migration, getting SS benefits they haven't paid a dime for. Legal or illegal, if you haven't paid into it, you don't get anything.

Lastly. I keep hearing about how we just need to make folks wait to retire until 70. The problem is that companies like to dump older workers, starting around age 50. Kinda hard to keep working if no one will hire you.

Posted by: notsothoreau at June 11, 2018 01:50 PM (JKNZq)

101 Bullion will not help you. How will you make change for your $50,000 one ounce coin when buying a loaf of bread?
Buy land and seeds. Lots of seeds. Laugh all you want but that's what I've been doing. Pretty cheap too.
Posted by: Brian in New Orleans

---------------------------------------

An ounce of silver isn't THAT valuable (currently under $16) and pre-1965 90% silver coins are naturally divisible.

Posted by: Guzalot at June 11, 2018 01:50 PM (prSvo)

102 Sorry Ace but Trump is in no way responsible for this. Even if he wanted to, nothing would happen. Lets give him a chance to evaluate whether growth has indeed solved it, and if it doesn't he may well take it on in Term 2.

------------

While I wouldn't bet heavy on it, I can easily see Trump being the one who makes some changes to "save" the programs. Really, just delaying its demise. There is no way to actually save it.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 01:50 PM (sX1BW)

103 Crap, some of us will never see what we put into Social Security over the years. BS.

Been paying into the system since I was 16 (I'm now 52). I long-ago made peace with the fact that my parents' and their parents' generations completely fucked me over and I'll never, ever see a dime of the literally 10's of thousands (before interest) I paid into "The System"
Posted by: DocJ at June 11, 2018 01:49 PM (NYS7S)

The larger government grew, the more people thought "too big to fail."

Well, it works the other way around and they still don't get it.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at June 11, 2018 01:50 PM (fceHP)

104 It will be fixed when it needs to be fixed - which is not now. Even the article says 2034. That may not be smart, but that is simply reality.

And the "fix" will be a nationalization of all private pension and retirement systems; which is frankly why I'm in no hurry to start putting $ back into my 401k.

The "fix" will also barely get us through 5-years.

Posted by: DocJ at June 11, 2018 01:50 PM (NYS7S)

105 96 This seems like a perfect time to explain why having the option to forgo that same percentage and be allowed to invest it yourself would help the problem but also provide the individual with even more money.

Shame we don't have an (R) senate or (R) house that could push this.
Posted by: Moron Robbie - I choose to live my life as a black woman at June 11, 2018 01:49 PM (VgKNm)

=============

We had an R president who tried, and an R Senate that let itself get browbeaten into submission on the other side.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 01:51 PM (PijNd)

106 Trumps fault?

Sigh...I mean really.

At least you feel better. I guess.

Posted by: nip at June 11, 2018 01:51 PM (ECLaL)

107 As always, go long on precious metals: brass, copper, and lead.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 11, 2018 01:51 PM (yQpMk)

108 64 now, and don't expect to collect much of anything from SS by the time I need it. But had I been able to keep that 15% or whatever it is extracted from me every year and put that into my own retirement savings plan, thanks to compound interest I'd have well over $3 mil in there now and wouldn't burden anyone.

Get the govt out of the retirement business.

Posted by: Leonard Pinth-Garnell at June 11, 2018 01:52 PM (7A6l6)

109 83
Crap, some of us will never see what we put into Social Security over the years. BS.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at June 11, 2018 01:47 PM (fceHP)

Most of the people drawing SS have already taken out far more than they ever put in.

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 01:52 PM (UBzPO)

110 Bush the Weaker, in 2005, did try to make this a central part of his second term. But he was slaughtered instantly.

Of course, this was the beginning of the GOP's lose early, lose often strategy of not defending hills.

Posted by: Krystal Slider Enthusiast at June 11, 2018 01:52 PM (FOPyv)

111 108 64 now, and don't expect to collect much of anything from SS by the time I need it. But had I been able to keep that 15% or whatever it is extracted from me every year and put that into my own retirement savings plan, thanks to compound interest I'd have well over $3 mil in there now and wouldn't burden anyone.

Get the govt out of the retirement business.
Posted by: Leonard Pinth-Garnell at June 11, 2018 01:52 PM (7A6l6)

============

It's in a lot of businesses it should be in.

Best thing it does is killing other people.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 01:52 PM (PijNd)

112 No one under 45 is planning on SS or feels dependent upon on it.

There is a line somewhere, maybe 50 years old, where we can just declare the end to SS.

We pay off our "obligation", though probably means tested, to those currently in the system. Drain the reserve and cut the tax back to whatever it needs to be to do this, or roll it into the main budget, and end the thing.

Posted by: TexasDan at June 11, 2018 01:53 PM (XKUjU)

113 And the "fix" will be a nationalization of all private pension and retirement systems; which is frankly why I'm in no hurry to start putting $ back into my 401k.

------------

I don't think this will happen.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 01:53 PM (sX1BW)

114 The first thing that we should do is kill all the law--- reporters.

Shakespeare was wrong.

Posted by: Jollyroger at June 11, 2018 01:53 PM (+087i)

115 So you're telling me all those 65M immigrants we took in over the last 40 years aren't going to close the SS gap for retiring Americans? Color me surprised.

Posted by: Godfather Gumby at June 11, 2018 01:54 PM (2LelM)

116

I'll probably be taking out the max without penalty of my 401K as soon as I can. Time will tell, still a ways off. It's terrible when you don't trust your government. It was and is OUR money they want to "dissolve" or give to others.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at June 11, 2018 01:54 PM (fceHP)

117 I recall laughing at Al Gore's "LockBox" ... ah the days before 9-11 and 16+ years of even more insane immigration policies.

I wonder now if Gore's bad ideas would've been worse than W's treasonous open borders "USA citizenship is like a charitable gift to everyone!" bullshit.

Posted by: Krystal Slider Enthusiast at June 11, 2018 01:54 PM (FOPyv)

118 112 No one under 45 is planning on SS or feels dependent upon on it.

There is a line somewhere, maybe 50 years old, where we can just declare the end to SS.

We pay off our "obligation", though probably means tested, to those currently in the system. Drain the reserve and cut the tax back to whatever it needs to be to do this, or roll it into the main budget, and end the thing.
Posted by: TexasDan at June 11, 2018 01:53 PM (XKUjU)

I agree. But being 34, please allow me to expend a hearty "FUCK YOU" to all my elders. Great job assholes.

Posted by: Jollyroger at June 11, 2018 01:54 PM (+087i)

119 I'd say there is more than enough blame to go around. Quite simply, this is everyone's fault. It is not like the system EVER made sense.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 11, 2018 01:54 PM (ycWCI)

120 5 Sigh, I'm part of the problem, Disabled at 43, I'm 50 now. SSDI won't last until I Die. Guess I should just die and not be a burden. I hate the fact I take SSDI, I really do

You feel bad for taking advantage of the program you paid into while you were healthy? No need. If the program is mismanaged, that's not your fault.

SSI, however...

Sorry to hear that your health situation requires you to take legitimate advantage of SSDI. I, for one, am glad to help.

Posted by: Historical Record at June 11, 2018 01:54 PM (uCrjJ)

121 96
This seems like a perfect time to explain why having the option to forgo
that same percentage and be allowed to invest it yourself would help
the problem but also provide the individual with even more money.

Shame we don't have an (R) senate or (R) house that could push this.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - I choose to live my life as a black woman at June 11, 2018 01:49 PM (VgKNm)

That'll never work. More than half of those people would lose all of their money and then what? They won't starve to death quietly.

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 01:55 PM (UBzPO)

122 This thread is depressing, I'll come back later. Fuck me! (running, If I could run)

Posted by: USNtakim prfoundly deplorable! at June 11, 2018 01:55 PM (0OmEj)

123 115 So you're telling me all those 65M immigrants we took in over the last 40 years aren't going to close the SS gap for retiring Americans? Color me surprised."

--------

step 1. 65 million immigrants
step 2. most of them go in welfare
step 3 ???
step 4 solvent social security.

Posted by: Krystal Slider Enthusiast at June 11, 2018 01:55 PM (FOPyv)

124 Social Security won't be there when I am old enough to collect, I've known that since I was in my 20s. The system was never meant to be a 20+ year retirement plan to begin with.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 01:55 PM (39g3+)

125 The reason Trump could be the one who "saves" it is because the Trump voters seem to be the biggest beneficiaries. And as an outsider, he'd bring some credibility. Further, the press attacking him as a meanie would likely not have the results they think it would have. Finally, the economy may be humming along well enough to give some cover to make these changes.

Not predicting this will happen, but he may be the one who could do it.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 01:55 PM (sX1BW)

126 I like how europe tried the same thing and instead, the very fecund africaners are having 7-11 kids apiece and are driving up taxes so one new breeder can keep popping them out.

Posted by: Krystal Slider Enthusiast at June 11, 2018 01:56 PM (FOPyv)

127 It also didn't help that Ryan didn't really want to implement his plan either; viewing it as a mere checkbox to fool the rubes.

Posted by: RoyalOil at June 11, 2018 01:56 PM (TN1P5)

128

See the chameleon
Lying there in the sun.
All things for everyone!!!!

Run .... run..... away.

Posted by: fixerupper at June 11, 2018 01:56 PM (8XRCm)

129 I believe the Soc. Sec. problem is the disability plan. It needs a breakup of the two.
Is the Medicare problem is recent due to the new national medical coverage?

Posted by: yeah me at June 11, 2018 01:56 PM (uhKSs)

130 Mitt Romney called Perry's plan a Perry Scheme to scare Florida voters into voting against Rick Perry. Mitt Romneycare doesn't deserve any credit for making this problem better.

Posted by: gm at June 11, 2018 01:56 PM (k9hLY)

131 118
I agree. But being 34, please allow me to expend a hearty "FUCK YOU" to all my elders. Great job assholes.
Posted by: Jollyroger at June 11, 2018 01:54 PM (+087i)

==============

I'd love a, "If you don't expect to receive Social Security, sign here and we will stop pulling money from your checks now and forever, and you will receive no benefits."

1) I'd take it, even if I didn't get a single cent back from what I'd already "invested".

2) No one would make this happen because it would make the system collapse even faster.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 01:56 PM (PijNd)

132 96 This seems like a perfect time to explain why having the option to forgo that same percentage and be allowed to invest it yourself would help the problem but also provide the individual with even more money.

Shame we don't have an (R) senate or (R) house that could push this.
Posted by: Moron Robbie - I choose to live my life as a black woman at June

..

Or even explain that the government is not saving your money for you.

The government is taxing you for a redistribution system

It will tax your children and grandchildren too, and give you a tiny portion back of what they take.

Why the GOP shies away from painting this picture is beyond me. A clear presentation would have the masses ready to riot.

Posted by: TexasDan at June 11, 2018 01:57 PM (XKUjU)

133 Lock.Box.

Posted by: Roland THTG at June 11, 2018 01:57 PM (xBSm0)

134 113 And the "fix" will be a nationalization of all private pension and retirement systems; which is frankly why I'm in no hurry to start putting $ back into my 401k.

------------

I don't think this will happen.

------------

I didn't think a lot of things that happened would actually happen. Then, they happened.

If SS goes broke while the Boomers are still running the show you can bet the 401k and private pensions of anyone over a certain (and probably very low) $$ threshold is going to be "impounded" - a nice word for "converted to SS 'bonds'"

Posted by: DocJ at June 11, 2018 01:57 PM (NYS7S)

135 Most of the people drawing SS have already taken out far more than they ever put in.
Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 01:52 PM (UBzPO)

Ida Mae Fuller laughs at us all.
During her lifetime she collected a total of $22,888.92 in Social Security benefits and paid in $24.75

Posted by: Jollyroger at June 11, 2018 01:57 PM (+087i)

136 *gingerly dips toe in the water*

Hey gang. Just checking in. I won't stay long. The current situation, which I wish I could explain in detail but am not at liberty to for a number of reasons, remains...problematic. One of the more immediate issues may resolve itself in the near-term. However, I have concerns about specific relationships being significantly damaged, and certain person or persons potentially leveraging the current situation for their own gain. I know that's very cryptic but it's all I can say.

Thanks for everyone's continued thoughts, prayers and support. Keep on Hordin'.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 11, 2018 01:57 PM (NWiLs)

137 Lockbox status: empty.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 01:57 PM (+CzJu)

138 Due to start collecting in a half dozen years or so, so this is right on schedule.

A Ponzi scheme from day one.

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at June 11, 2018 01:57 PM (FTlwv)

139 108
64 now, and don't expect to collect much of anything from SS by the time
I need it. But had I been able to keep that 15% or whatever it is
extracted from me every year and put that into my own retirement savings
plan, thanks to compound interest I'd have well over $3 mil in there
now and wouldn't burden anyone.

Get the govt out of the retirement business.

Posted by: Leonard Pinth-Garnell at June 11, 2018 01:52 PM (7A6l6)

You honestly believe the generation who needs to be told not to eat Tide Pods will be able to invest properly for their retirement?

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 01:58 PM (UBzPO)

140 BTW Everything else will be gone before these programs are gone.

Posted by: yeah me at June 11, 2018 01:58 PM (uhKSs)

141

Sad thread. Headed out into the sun for some long overdue exercise today.

Remember that there will have to be a grandfather clause built in to any of these programs if they are going to be changed or ended. So those getting close, hang in there because you're probably safe for now.

See ya's. Looking for a more positive thread down the road.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at June 11, 2018 01:58 PM (fceHP)

142 Posted by: Insomniac at June 11, 2018 01:57 PM (NWiLs)

Sorry to hear that, dude. Prayers up

Posted by: Joe, living dangerously at June 11, 2018 01:58 PM (mk7Bj)

143 My favorite part of Social Security is that I know of at least two elderly immigrants who slipped into the country just in time to start collecting from a system they never paid into. If I know two, there must be about a million more.

Posted by: Trudeau's escaping eyebrow at June 11, 2018 01:58 PM (Pf63c)

144
I'd love a, "If you don't expect to receive Social Security, sign
here and we will stop pulling money from your checks now and forever,
and you will receive no benefits."

1) I'd take it, even if I didn't get a single cent back from what I'd already "invested".

2) No one would make this happen because it would make the system collapse even faster.
amen

Posted by: brak at June 11, 2018 01:58 PM (VckGX)

145 It will be fixed when it needs to be fixed - which is not now. Even the article says 2034. That may not be smart, but that is simply reality.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 01:48 PM (sX1BW)

Sixteen years is a long time in politics.

Heck, it is just a long time in the life of a human.

Posted by: Mikey NTH - The Outrage Outlet Proudly Sponsors The Last Voyage of the Sea Cuck! at June 11, 2018 01:58 PM (hLRSq)

146 Posted by: notsothoreau at June 11, 2018 01:50 PM (JKNZq)

Yup, there is a minimum payment anyone here can get... even if you never worked a single day I the US.

Posted by: Don Q at June 11, 2018 01:58 PM (NgKpN)

147 >>>A Ponzi scheme from day one.
Posted by: Jinx the Cat at June 11, 2018 01:57 PM (FTlwv)>>>

If you say that, Mitt Romney will call your solution a "Perry Scheme" to scare voters. He's a sack of shit who deserves absolutely no credit for attempting to tackle this issue. I think Ace must have been smoking crack through the 2012 election.

Posted by: gm at June 11, 2018 01:59 PM (k9hLY)

148 4 I thought Obola fixed that shit.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at June 11, 2018 01:30 PM (+y/Ru)

He could just make up the shortfall from his staff. /honors graduate of the Peggy Joseph School of Finance

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 01:59 PM (+CzJu)

149 This is partly Trump's fault, because he rejected any idea of reforming these systems to keep them solvent.

=====

Yeah...here's his assigned fault percentage....

.00000000001%

Geez ace...c'mon. He's been the president for just over 500 days and he's the first one you mention to fault?!

Posted by: Tami at June 11, 2018 01:59 PM (Enq6K)

150 stash, not staff

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 01:59 PM (+CzJu)

151 UNEXPECTEDLY!!!!!

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Profoundly Unserious at June 11, 2018 01:59 PM (pw+jk)

152 Average life expectancy in 1950 was under 70 years old, retiring at 65 was pretty much at the end of the road. They didn't plan on people living into their 80s or older, just a few years on social security retirement.

http://tinyurl.com/q9cma46

The system has not kept up with the times.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:00 PM (39g3+)

153 136 *gingerly dips toe in the water*

Hey gang. Just checking in. I won't stay long. The current situation, which I wish I could explain in detail but am not at liberty to for a number of reasons, remains...problematic. One of the more immediate issues may resolve itself in the near-term. However, I have concerns about specific relationships being significantly damaged, and certain person or persons potentially leveraging the current situation for their own gain. I know that's very cryptic but it's all I can say.

Thanks for everyone's continued thoughts, prayers and support. Keep on Hordin'.
Posted by: Insomniac at June 11, 2018 01:57 PM (NWiLs)

-------------

Yo, good to hear from you.

And, you sound better!

Keep on keeping on!

Posted by: Blake - used bridge salesman at June 11, 2018 02:00 PM (qC1Sy)

154 @139

no, but that's no one's fault but their's.

Posted by: The UN at June 11, 2018 02:00 PM (qJjzH)

155 Thanks for everyone's continued thoughts, prayers and support. Keep on Hordin'.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 11, 2018 01:57 PM
Continued prayers for you and yours, Insomniac.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 11, 2018 02:00 PM (p+Wdc)

156 152 Average life expectancy in 1950 was under 70 years old, retiring at 65 was pretty much at the end of the road. They didn't plan on people living into their 80s or older, just a few years on social security retirement.

http://tinyurl.com/q9cma46

The system has not kept up with the times.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:00 PM (39g3+)

Neither has the birth rate. Too few people feeding the beast.

Posted by: Tami at June 11, 2018 02:01 PM (Enq6K)

157 At least we get to disenfranchise the poor and minorities in Ohio.

You gotta celebrate victory when you can!

Posted by: Elmer at June 11, 2018 02:01 PM (1o3yd)

158 It will be fixed when it needs to be fixed - which is not now. Even the article says 2034. That may not be smart, but that is simply reality.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 01:48 PM (sX1BW)

Sixteen years is a long time in politics.

Heck, it is just a long time in the life of a human.

----------------

Exactly. Stop making payments, or insist on raising FICA taxes. Until then, nothing will be done.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 02:01 PM (sX1BW)

159 I agree. But being 34, please allow me to expend a hearty "FUCK YOU" to all my elders. Great job assholes.
Posted by: Jollyroger at June 11, 2018 01:54 PM

As one of your elders, I could tell you all the reasons why this has been done, and why you should believe this will all work out for you, but I think it would be far more honest of me to simply tell you the real, internal response of everyone in my generation, and say HARDY HARDY HAR HAR HAR!!! We got ours, and by the time the rest of you figure out what we did, we'll be dead.

Posted by: Tom Servo at June 11, 2018 02:01 PM (k1TUh)

160 Posted by: TexasDan at June 11, 2018 01:57 PM (XKUjU)

They are like the Lady riding the Tiger...

If they admit they stole from me for the last 40 years? 14% of my take home?

And I get nothing? Do you think I would ever trust them again?

And yes, some of those exact same people ARE still in Congress...

Posted by: Don Q at June 11, 2018 02:01 PM (NgKpN)

161 "143 My favorite part of Social Security is that I know of at least two elderly immigrants who slipped into the country just in time to start collecting from a system they never paid into. If I know two, there must be about a million more."

=----------=

yeah, it's insane. Expect a bunch of Hawain judges to keep the gravy train going too.

Posted by: Krystal Slider Enthusiast at June 11, 2018 02:01 PM (FOPyv)

162 Guess what really hurt Social Security?

1. The EIC (earned income credit) that is social security dollars that go to the poor and illegal aliens.

2. The "crumbs" that Obama and the democrat party gave us by cutting the FICA tax in half during his reign of error.

So the only way to fix this is to steal more money form the middle class.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Profoundly Unserious at June 11, 2018 02:02 PM (pw+jk)

163 This is Trump's fault like California's shit would be Cox's fault if he won. I don't even want Cox to win because I don't want the GOP to have to be the bad guy to clean up the mountains of shit the Democrats have been piling up all over California. Make the Democrats clean it up and admit they are feckless c**ts.

Posted by: gm at June 11, 2018 02:02 PM (k9hLY)

164 157 At least we get to disenfranchise the poor and minorities in Ohio.

You gotta celebrate victory when you can!
Posted by: Elmer at June 11, 2018 02:01 PM (1o3yd)

=============

I smell troll...

Smells like...oh, God!, the smell!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:02 PM (PijNd)

165 Shhh. Am not here. You don't see me.

Begun, the generational wars have.

None of Gen X people I know think they will get a penny of Social Security. None. Doesn't matter the politics of the person. No one thinks we will get a slim dime and haven't since we were in our early 20's.

Math doesn't lie and the long term demographics on this have been apparent since the mid to late 1980's and every single person who dared bring it up was told OH NOES YOU WANT GRANDMA EATING CAT FOOD.

People refuse to believe the facts about this. I've had people accuse me of lying when I say there is no such thing as an individual Social Security account and it's not your money and SCOTUS decided in the 1960's that there is no vested right to benefits and that benefits could be limited or changed and the requirements for receiving those benefits were at the discretion of Congress.

We ran out of time 20 odd years ago. All that's left now is to sit there next to the rest of my Gen Xers and laugh bitterly as the Boomers and Millenials fight over the scraps.

Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Hopping all around. at June 11, 2018 02:02 PM (mf5HN)

166 I don't think this will happen.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 01:53 PM (sX1BW)

The worst case scenario has to be put forward as what will happen, else we will not get to the "Lighting of the Hair" part of our day. And if the happens the chicken will go unf**ked, the Outrage Outlet will go without properstocking, and AtC will grow five sizes. Total chaos.

Grow five sizes *upwards*, that is.

Posted by: Mikey NTH - The Outrage Outlet Proudly Sponsors The Last Voyage of the Sea Cuck! at June 11, 2018 02:02 PM (hLRSq)

167 The day that SSDI ends is the day I end. I hate being a burden to anyone especially my family. It was a good run. fuck me!

Posted by: USNtakim prfoundly deplorable! at June 11, 2018 02:03 PM (0OmEj)

168 During her lifetime she collected a total of $22,888.92 in Social Security benefits and paid in $24.75

Posted by: Jollyroger at June 11, 2018 01:57 PM (+087i)

One of my grandmothers lived on SS for 30 years after paying into it for only four. Very religious. Always said the Lord was providing. That's what turned me off from religion at an early age.

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 02:03 PM (UBzPO)

169 The system has not kept up with the times.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor

If they'd have just kept their hands off the $$ in the fund.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 11, 2018 02:03 PM (I9SqL)

170 There's no fixing a Ponzi Scheme. And SSI is quite literally a Ponzi Scheme.

Posted by: ScoggDog at June 11, 2018 02:03 PM (xn335)

171 162 Guess what really hurt Social Security?

1. The EIC (earned income credit) that is social security dollars that go to the poor and illegal aliens.

2. The "crumbs" that Obama and the democrat party gave us by cutting the FICA tax in half during his reign of error.

So the only way to fix this is to steal more money form the middle class.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Profoundly Unserious at June 11, 2018 02:02 PM (pw+jk)

===========

Steal from the middle class in order to give to the middle class.

Nope.

Just kill it.

Let the middle-class keep its money. Cut out the middle man.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:03 PM (PijNd)

172 156 152 Average life expectancy in 1950 was under 70 years old, retiring at 65 was pretty much at the end of the road. They didn't plan on people living into their 80s or older, just a few years on social security retirement.

http://tinyurl.com/q9cma46

The system has not kept up with the times.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:00 PM (39g3+)

Neither has the birth rate. Too few people feeding the beast.
Posted by: Tami at June 11, 2018 02:01 PM (Enq6K)

Actually, if we had reasonable growth rates of 3 to 4% during the Obama years?

It would be much more solvent. The Pyramid needs an expanding Money base to support it... not an expanding WORKER base to support...

Posted by: Don Q at June 11, 2018 02:03 PM (NgKpN)

173 Mr. Insomniac, sir: please maintain chin in elevated position.
Good luck and God bless.

Posted by: Leonard Pinth-Garnell at June 11, 2018 02:03 PM (7A6l6)

174 This seems like a perfect time to explain why having the option to forgo that same percentage and be allowed to invest it yourself would help the problem but also provide the individual with even more money.

Shame we don't have an (R) senate or (R) house that could push this.

Posted by: Moron Robbie

=============

We had an R president who tried, and an R Senate that let itself get browbeaten into submission on the other side.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 01:51 PM (PijNd)

---

You mean back when Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan were in office?

Funny, that.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - I choose to live my life as a black woman at June 11, 2018 02:04 PM (VgKNm)

175 165 Shhh. Am not here. You don't see me.

Begun, the generational wars have.

None of Gen X people I know think they will get a penny of Social Security. None. Doesn't matter the politics of the person. No one thinks we will get a slim dime and haven't since we were in our early 20's.

Math doesn't lie and the long term demographics on this have been apparent since the mid to late 1980's and every single person who dared bring it up was told OH NOES YOU WANT GRANDMA EATING CAT FOOD.

People refuse to believe the facts about this. I've had people accuse me of lying when I say there is no such thing as an individual Social Security account and it's not your money and SCOTUS decided in the 1960's that there is no vested right to benefits and that benefits could be limited or changed and the requirements for receiving those benefits were at the discretion of Congress.

We ran out of time 20 odd years ago. All that's left now is to sit there next to the rest of my Gen Xers and laugh bitterly as the Boomers and Millenials fight over the scraps.
Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Hopping all around. at June 11, 2018 02:02 PM (mf5HN)

=============

How do we kill it faster and what do we do to make sure it doesn't get replaced by something worse?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:04 PM (PijNd)

176 Isn't the 16 year timeline assuming we have no tech and scientific advances that increase our life expectancy even more?

Posted by: Derptastic at June 11, 2018 02:04 PM (DB16e)

177 54
"They've started making noises about how "unfair" it is that Roth IRAs allow people to "evade" taxes when they retire."

Yup.

Believe it was 3-4 years ago during mincy halitosis's second term
they first floated a "trial balloon" about privatizing 401Ks. For
everyone's convenience, of course.

this is how this krep starts...

Posted by: TCDD, pointin' and laughin' at June 11, 2018 01:41 PM (QGNGb)

Let get one thing straight. No You won't be taking my money to pay people who took your promise of benefits that you cannot afford. I opted out of that Ponzi scheme by saving my money for me.

Posted by: Cuthbert the Witless at June 11, 2018 02:04 PM (ymnmz)

178 129 I believe the Soc. Sec. problem is the disability plan. It needs a breakup of the two.

Posted by: yeah me at June 11, 2018 01:56 PM (uhKSs)

I suspect that that's right. It's possible to plan for Social Security outlays from actuarial analysis of the demographics.

It's not possible to plan for disability disbursements, which I've read were granted like crazy as a substitute for exhausted unemployment benefits.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:04 PM (+CzJu)

179 "At least we get to disenfranchise the poor and minorities in Ohio. "

---------

lemme guess, voter roll purges and ID's are bad...mkay?

"muh franchise is sacred...also, let's let illegals vote. And oh by the way, everyone on earth is a minority so they count more than you"

Posted by: Krystal Slider Enthusiast at June 11, 2018 02:04 PM (FOPyv)

180 >>>I agree. But being 34, please allow me to expend a hearty "FUCK YOU" to all my elders. Great job assholes.
Posted by: Jollyroger at June 11, 2018 01:54 PM >>>

It's actually the indoctrinated and brainwashed people of your generation (Millenial is largest generation of voters) who allow this to propagate. A generation of voters begging to get screwed. It's amazing.

Posted by: gm at June 11, 2018 02:04 PM (k9hLY)

181 I'd say there is more than enough blame to go around. Quite simply, this is everyone's fault. It is not like the system EVER made sense.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 11, 2018 01:54 PM (ycWCI)

---------------

It wasn't supposed to make SENSE.

It was supposed to make VOTES.

And it did.

Posted by: reason at June 11, 2018 02:05 PM (l2max)

182 Most people receive a statement from Social Security that shows how much you have paid in and future benefits. If you do the math, you'll see that, more than likely, you'll burn through your contribution in not to many years after you apply. Even worse, say, for example, you had a railroad retirement job, retired early from that, and get a pretty sweet job for five years paying into SS, you'll eat up that contribution and be thanking the grandchildren on a given Wednesday every month.

Posted by: bill in arkansas at June 11, 2018 02:05 PM (xzqr4)

183 The EIC (earned income credit) that is social security dollars that go to the poor and illegal aliens.

Its so frustrating, people think that's a myth. They just refuse to believe in it if you bring it up.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:05 PM (39g3+)

184 We ran out of time 20 odd years ago. All that's left now is to sit there next to the rest of my Gen Xers and laugh bitterly as the Boomers and Millenials fight over the scraps.

-----------

Gen X will fare the worst in this battle of selfish generations. We'll pay a lifetime into SS at very high rates only to get nothing out of it. The millenials will stop paying once they enter their prime working years.

That's ok. We'll make the sacrifice. We have always known it was coming.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 02:05 PM (sX1BW)

185 I had to get a new SS Card a while back. Went to a SS Office in Alexandria and I was the only American there. A lot of elderly newbies were there and none of them could speak English. I wondered why we are bringing in so many non workers? Maybe Al Franken can tell me. Nothing better than Somalis with four wives, 10 kids and a work participation rate of 30% to make math work.

Posted by: Godfather Gumby at June 11, 2018 02:05 PM (2LelM)

186 ... quit NATO, the UN, take that money to fund SS. Thats a start

Posted by: DXO at June 11, 2018 02:05 PM (nzKWW)

187 179 "At least we get to disenfranchise the poor and minorities in Ohio. "

---------

lemme guess, voter roll purges and ID's are bad...mkay?

"muh franchise is sacred...also, let's let illegals vote. And oh by the way, everyone on earth is a minority so they count more than you"
Posted by: Krystal Slider Enthusiast at June 11, 2018 02:04 PM (FOPyv)

============

Any imposition for a minority to vote Democratic is a Constitutional crisis.

Any punishment of innocent gun owners for the crimes of others is a Constitutional guarantee.

It's science.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:06 PM (PijNd)

188 Unexpectedly !

Posted by: sock_rat_eez, they are gaslighting us 24/365 at June 11, 2018 02:06 PM (GNCPT)

189 Deese heartless Repubs ain't gonna raise taxes to keep Medicare solvent.

Posted by: Dimmy Kibble, Sobbing and Wanking into an Alms Cup at June 11, 2018 02:06 PM (LgxQn)

190 None of Gen X people I know think they will get a penny of Social Security. None. Doesn't matter the politics of the person. No one thinks we will get a slim dime and haven't since we were in our early 20's.
------------
it's weird, we're so fucked.

We're old enough to remember pre-invasion America and her promises to us...too young and stupid to have done anything about it.

oh well, at least I'll get to work well into my 80's to help pay for the sacred pensions and sacred welfare for illegals our idiot boomer parents decided was more important.

Posted by: Krystal Slider Enthusiast at June 11, 2018 02:06 PM (FOPyv)

191 no, but that's no one's fault but their's.

Posted by: The UN at June 11, 2018 02:00 PM (qJjzH)

Agreed, but do you honestly expect millions of people to just starve to death quietly? Are you prepared to live in a country where you have to step of those people's starved corpses when you walk to the store? Before the Great Depression no one could imagine supporting the welfare programs that quickly came into being either.

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 02:06 PM (UBzPO)

192 People refuse to believe the facts about this. I've had people accuse me of lying when I say there is no such thing as an individual Social Security account...

It's pervasive and generational.

My parents - Trump voters, both of them, in their mid-70's - honestly think there's an account somewhere with their names on it, collecting interest for all the money they paid into the system.

Yeah, after the 5th or 6th time trying to explain it to them I just gave up.

Posted by: DocJ at June 11, 2018 02:06 PM (NYS7S)

193 A severe cutback on who can be on SSI disability would help too. Yeah, you're really fat. That's not my problem, and its not up to the taxpayers to pay you to be fat.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:06 PM (39g3+)

194 102 Sorry Ace but Trump is in no way responsible for this. Even if he wanted to, nothing would happen. Lets give him a chance to evaluate whether growth has indeed solved it, and if it doesn't he may well take it on in Term 2.

------------

While I wouldn't bet heavy on it, I can easily see Trump being the one who makes some changes to "save" the programs. Really, just delaying its demise. There is no way to actually save it.
Posted by: SH

There's lots of ways to save it. Economic growth/jobs, so more is coming in--Push back the eligibility age, means test, let people partially opt out, replenish the 'lockbox' and invest it long term in something other than the government.

Medicare has similar opportunities including tort reform, total free market competition by insurers and care providers.

These suggestions might seem cruel and heartless to some; but compared to killing (letting die) sick and old people (which is the path Europe has chosen and Obamacare was heading for) they seem pretty damn good to me.

Posted by: Dirks Strewn at June 11, 2018 02:06 PM (kfcYC)

195 Shhh. Am not here. You don't see me.

Wha? Who said that?

Posted by: rickl at June 11, 2018 02:07 PM (xjiRE)

196 >>>None of Gen X people I know think they will get a penny of Social Security. None. Doesn't matter the politics of the person. No one thinks we will get a slim dime and haven't since we were in our early 20's.

Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Hopping all around. at June 11, 2018 02:02 PM (mf5HN) >>>

I have max contributed to SS for more years than I can count and don't expect to get a dime. The only way to get any money out of it is to die now so my wife and kids can get the survivor benefits.

Posted by: gm at June 11, 2018 02:07 PM (k9hLY)

197 "Any imposition for a minority to vote Democratic is a Constitutional crisis. "

---

minority now means everyone on earth. So basically, 300 million americans are the majority over 6 billion people.

Posted by: Krystal Slider Enthusiast at June 11, 2018 02:07 PM (FOPyv)

198 Agreed, but do you honestly expect millions of people to just starve to death quietly?

That's not what would happen, and you know it. Private charity would step up where government does not cover like it always has. And in the United States, without fail historically, every single time people have more money in their pockets charitable giving goes up.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:08 PM (39g3+)

199 175
165 Shhh. Am not here. You don't see me.

Begun, the generational wars have.

None of Gen X people I know think they will get a penny of Social
Security. None. Doesn't matter the politics of the person. No one thinks
we will get a slim dime and haven't since we were in our early 20's.

Math doesn't lie and the long term demographics on this have been
apparent since the mid to late 1980's and every single person who dared
bring it up was told OH NOES YOU WANT GRANDMA EATING CAT FOOD.

People refuse to believe the facts about this. I've had people
accuse me of lying when I say there is no such thing as an individual
Social Security account and it's not your money and SCOTUS decided in
the 1960's that there is no vested right to benefits and that benefits
could be limited or changed and the requirements for receiving those
benefits were at the discretion of Congress.

We ran out of time 20 odd years ago. All that's left now is to sit
there next to the rest of my Gen Xers and laugh bitterly as the Boomers
and Millenials fight over the scraps.

Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Hopping all around. at June 11, 2018 02:02 PM (mf5HN)

=============

How do we kill it faster and what do we do to make sure it doesn't get replaced by something worse?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:04 PM (PijNd)

Deep in their hearts the lefties know if they turn the heat up enough, they can get the go ahead to steal everyone's savings and spread the wealth , then we'll all be wealthy and comfortable in our retirement??? or something???

In their mind there is always someone else with enough $$$ to pay for the wants of other's, with their cut for doling it out.

Math is hard.

Posted by: Cuthbert the Witless at June 11, 2018 02:08 PM (ymnmz)

200 Steal from the middle class in order to give to the middle class.

Nope.

Just kill it.

Let the middle-class keep its money. Cut out the middle man.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:03 PM (PijNd)

I agree, but the problem is that most people are too stupid to handle their money wisely. How many people have any retirement savings at all?

Then when those people do retire, they'd be starving and in the streets, and then the MSM would be howling about that.

The upshot would be that they wouldn't pay in at all, having pissed away every dime they ever made, but would end up being supported by taxpayers anyway.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:08 PM (+CzJu)

201 Hey Insom, how's it going?

*tinfoil hat*

Hmmm, Insomniac comes back on the same day that we talk about SS going insolvent? ... and he says that a situation will be resolved 'in the near term'?

Insomniac stole the SS lockbox!!

Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 11, 2018 02:08 PM (ycWCI)

202 Of all the people who I blame for the ss debacle, Trump is is somewhere around 100,295.

Posted by: LASue at June 11, 2018 02:08 PM (8eVay)

203 We ran out of time 20 odd years ago. All that's left now is to sit there next to the rest of my Gen Xers and laugh bitterly as the Boomers and Millenials fight over the scraps.
Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Hopping all around. at June 11, 2018 02:02 PM

atc read my mind
I'm gen x and learned 25 years ago not to expect a dime from SS.
Thing is, I don't know if Millenials (and the generation coming up after them ) will distinguish between Boomers and GenX'ers. I expect to become collateral damage one day.

Posted by: Hands at June 11, 2018 02:08 PM (EzdLW)

204 Thing is that the original idea was kind of interesting...

They were supposed to take that money and INVEST it so it had a rate of return... it was supposed to be used as a fund to invest in America...

If they had done that, instead of just writing IOUs to the fund??? Both retirees and the Economy would be in a much stronger position.

Posted by: Don Q at June 11, 2018 02:09 PM (NgKpN)

205 Cloward-Piven...

Posted by: Hikaru at June 11, 2018 02:09 PM (WDCYi)

206 This seems like a perfect time to explain why having the option to forgo

that same percentage and be allowed to invest it yourself would help

the problem but also provide the individual with even more money.

Shame we don't have an (R) senate or (R) house that could push this.

Posted by: Moron Robbie

---

That'll
never work. More than half of those people would lose all of their
money and then what? They won't starve to death quietly.

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 01:55 PM (UBzPO)

---

21% =/= all their money and starvation. They'll still get their 79% from the feds. Not to mention the chance to earn 7% or so that voluntary 21% reduction is completely optional.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - I choose to live my life as a black woman at June 11, 2018 02:09 PM (VgKNm)

207 39 Solution is simple: kill all seniors
Posted by: NHS Liverpool Pathway at June 11, 2018 01:39 PM (hMwEB)

=====

There's an app or a bill for that called Death Panels. And who said Obama didn't try to fix this problem?

Posted by: ShainS at June 11, 2018 02:09 PM (AfgyK)

208 "How do we kill it faster"

you can't kill it faster, you can't kill it at all. It's too ingrained, and old people turn up and vote at a higher rate than any other age group. Any party that moves against them is guaranteed to be disbanded by the next election.

"and what do we do to make sure it doesn't get replaced by something worse?"

No matter what you replace it with, it is guaranteed to be worse. That is one of the Immutable Laws of the Universe. Don't think you can get around it.

Posted by: Tom Servo at June 11, 2018 02:09 PM (k1TUh)

209 198
Agreed, but do you honestly expect millions of people to just starve to death quietly?

That's not what would happen, and you know it. Private charity
would step up where government does not cover like it always has. And
in the United States, without fail historically, every single time
people have more money in their pockets charitable giving goes up.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:08 PM (39g3+)

No, do you expect millions of people to have their life savings stolen because of the mismanagement of the government and out right vote buying?

Posted by: Cuthbert the Witless at June 11, 2018 02:09 PM (ymnmz)

210 "This is partly Trump's fault, because he rejected any idea of reforming these systems to keep them solvent."

He can't even get the GOP Congress to cut spending.

I do think SS 'reform' will be part of his 2020 run.

And I do think that means testing will have to be a part of it. Not that it's fair, as those most affected/excluded will be those who paid the most into it; in other words, they paid even moar extra taxes to fund Other Peoples Retirement.

Posted by: GnuBreed at June 11, 2018 02:09 PM (0ogQG)

211 it is odd to think that 20 years ago was almost the time that Al Gore invented the Lock Box.

Well, we've known this was coming for a long time. But the donks have gone from selling out the poor youth to rich elderly to selling out america to the teeming hordes of non-americans they bet will vote for them if they just open those borders.

Posted by: Krystal Slider Enthusiast at June 11, 2018 02:09 PM (FOPyv)

212 Another program Trump screwed up !!! We had no problems when Presdent Obama was in charge !!!

Posted by: Mary Clogginstien from Brattleboro, VT at June 11, 2018 02:10 PM (qM84C)

213 We need to run a reverse COLA, every year retirees get 2% less.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 11, 2018 02:10 PM (yQpMk)

214 Continued prayers for you Insomniac. Good to see you if only briefly. We miss you.

Posted by: Jewells45 at June 11, 2018 02:10 PM (zRZaJ)

215 "This is partly Trump's fault, because he rejected any idea of reforming these systems to keep them solvent."

---

only in the sense that trump is an acceptance that America's economics and budget is no longer related to income tax revenues or even math. and that trying to fight that fight is like trying to say you got binders full of women.

Posted by: Krystal Slider Enthusiast at June 11, 2018 02:10 PM (FOPyv)

216 200 I agree, but the problem is that most people are too stupid to handle their money wisely. How many people have any retirement savings at all?

Then when those people do retire, they'd be starving and in the streets, and then the MSM would be howling about that.

The upshot would be that they wouldn't pay in at all, having pissed away every dime they ever made, but would end up being supported by taxpayers anyway.
Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:08 PM (+CzJu)

===============

I'm sorry, but how is that my problem?

Here's an analogy for you:

I can ensure safe driving by everyone in the country overnight. Install a speak in the steering wheel of every car in the nation, pointed directly at the driver's heart. People will drive more safely if they know they'll most likely die if they get into a crash.

Bringing that back to Social Security:

If you know that no one is looking out for you for retirement (a modern invention, by the way), then you have greater incentive to save for it yourself.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:11 PM (PijNd)

217 212 Mary's right. When TFG was in charge we never even heard of any of this.

Posted by: Leonard Pinth-Garnell at June 11, 2018 02:11 PM (7A6l6)

218
Want to do something that will REALLY piss you off.

Do a cuurent value analysis of the first hundred dollars you put into social security. For me.... that happened in 1981.

Calucate PV of 100 at 3% rate of return annualy copmpunded for 37 years... Doubled my money. $198.52

Now.... 100 into the S&P in 1981 was at 133.00. Today it is at 2,786.

You do the fing math.

Posted by: fixerupper at June 11, 2018 02:11 PM (8XRCm)

219 SS was always a ponzi scheme, but it was more insidious than one dude playing a game of three card monty. It caused changes in how people looked at their own responsibilities and gave people this idea that they did not have to seriously think, and do something, about their retirement.

The Piper must always be paid.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 11, 2018 02:11 PM (ycWCI)

220 a million bluehairs marching on DC...and all of them armed.
Hilarious!!!

Posted by: Diogenes at June 11, 2018 02:12 PM (0tfLf)

221 I bet we'd save a sh*tload of money if food stamp recipients were only allowed a set volume of staples like powdered milk, flour, sugar, salt, eggs, etc. each month.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - I choose to live my life as a black woman at June 11, 2018 02:12 PM (VgKNm)

222 You know whose fault its not?

Obama's

Posted by: Mega at June 11, 2018 02:12 PM (7jsGy)

223 Deep in their hearts the lefties know if they turn the heat up enough, they can get the go ahead to steal everyone's savings and spread the wealth, then we'll all be wealthy and comfortable in our retirement??? or something???

"You have so much, and others have so little."

Yeah, well maybe if they'd been more prudent financially, they'd have a lot more too. A lot of people live up to the limit of their income - or above the limit, in some cases.

I taught my sons the profound difference between saving for something, and then buying it, versus buying something, and then paying for it.

In the first case, you get paid interest; in the second, you pay interest.

Integrated over a lifetime, that alone generates a huge swing in financial fortunes.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:12 PM (+CzJu)

224 Insomniac stole the SS lockbox!!

and the train it won't stop going
no way to slow down, no way to slow down.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 11, 2018 02:12 PM (yQpMk)

225 Because if you're really hungry, you'll be f*cking THRILLED to get a guaranteed box of food every month.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - I choose to live my life as a black woman at June 11, 2018 02:12 PM (VgKNm)

226 There has been, and up to a point that I can't honestly define has always been a solution for Social Security.

End it. With the following Caveats.

1. Anyone Currently getting paid social security will retain it, until they die. It cannot be passed to children.

2. Anyone Over X age, and X is going to be probably 40 or 50 will also be guaranteed a reduced benefit. This will suck for some people. But better some then all. This benefit does not pass on to children, and ends when they die.

3. Anyone under those ages, will be paying for social security probably the rest of their adult lives, but with luck, their children will not. Plan for it now.

The above will never happen because its reasonably fair, but some of us will bear an unpleasant burden with no benefit. And as noted, someone will tell me I've pushed Grandma off a cliff.

Posted by: FrozenTech at June 11, 2018 02:13 PM (IXw8E)

227 I assume that the first change will be means testing. That means us who earned a military retirement will lose SS.

Posted by: Heywood Jablowme at June 11, 2018 02:13 PM (jsWA8)

228 SS was always a ponzi scheme, but it was more insidious than one dude playing a game of three card monty. It caused changes in how people looked at their own responsibilities and gave people this idea that they did not have to seriously think, and do something, about their retirement.

Almost as if it was designed that way by the rich communist fucker who put it into legislation and rammed it through Congress in a fortnight.

Just like socialized medicine - when the gov't controls the flow of a commodity that can save your life, you'll vote for whoever will give you more of it

Posted by: DocJ at June 11, 2018 02:13 PM (NYS7S)

229 We need to run a reverse COLA, every year retirees get 2% less.
Posted by: Grump928

How about, I get a lump some equal to every penny that was taken at gunpoint, and in return, I don't charge interest on a forty year loan?

Posted by: rickb223 at June 11, 2018 02:13 PM (I9SqL)

230 I bet we'd save a sh*tload of money if food stamp recipients were only allowed a set volume of staples like powdered milk, flour, sugar, salt, eggs, etc. each month.

I guarantee it, having worked in grocery stores and convenience stores before. 100% guarantee a huge savings if they were clipped down to basic stocks and necessities. Its painfully obvious yet good luck getting that anywhere.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:14 PM (39g3+)

231 Solution is simple: kill all seniors
Posted by: NHS Liverpool Pathway at June 11, 2018 01:39 PM

-----

You rang?
Posted by: ObamaCare Death Panels at June 11, 2018 01:49 PM

Let me be clear. At a certain point you've lived enough years.

Posted by: Barry the Lightbringer at June 11, 2018 02:14 PM (EzdLW)

232 Hang dai insomniac.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - I choose to live my life as a black woman at June 11, 2018 02:14 PM (VgKNm)

233 you can't kill it faster, you can't kill it at all. It's too ingrained, and old people turn up and vote at a higher rate than any other age group. Any party that moves against them is guaranteed to be disbanded by the next election.

------------

Start the means testing. And I mean this. Its probably something that you may be able to garner the political will to do, but it will change the mindset of SS. The popularity of SS rests on the fact that everyone receives it. Take that way, and it will start to lose a lot of its popularity.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 02:14 PM (sX1BW)

234 How many people have any retirement savings at all? "

Yeah. 'Cause there used to be herds of older folk, wandering the streets and plains...

Heh

Posted by: The GOP at June 11, 2018 02:14 PM (7LY+6)

235 Insomniac stole the SS lockbox!!

Can't steal what don't exist.

And with my declaration of innocence (of that at least) I'm out. Thanks again folks. Be seeing you.

Posted by: Insomniac at June 11, 2018 02:14 PM (NWiLs)

236 230 I bet we'd save a sh*tload of money if food stamp recipients were only allowed a set volume of staples like powdered milk, flour, sugar, salt, eggs, etc. each month.

I guarantee it, having worked in grocery stores and convenience stores before. 100% guarantee a huge savings if they were clipped down to basic stocks and necessities. Its painfully obvious yet good luck getting that anywhere.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:14 PM (39g3+)

=============

Lintels? Potatoes? I can't eat these? I need real food! Like frozen pizzas and soda!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:15 PM (PijNd)

237 lost in this is that the old are richer than the young and this is a truly regressive tax on the poor to subsidize the rich

Posted by: Krystal Slider Enthusiast at June 11, 2018 02:15 PM (FOPyv)

238 I miss Monty.

"What can't continue, won't."

Posted by: WitchDoktor, AKA VA GOP Sucks at June 11, 2018 02:15 PM (PFy0L)

239 You know what will fix this? More cowbell.

Ironically, PDT will do more to save these monstrosities than anything the D's have tries simply by getting more people working, paying taxes and reducing the need subsidized public benefits.

Posted by: Kristian Holvoet at June 11, 2018 02:15 PM (4RsUF)

240 234 How many people have any retirement savings at all? "

Yeah. 'Cause there used to be herds of older folk, wandering the streets and plains...

Heh
Posted by: The GOP at June 11, 2018 02:14 PM (7LY+6)

============

How many working don't have some kind of 401(k) or 403(b) plans these days?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:15 PM (PijNd)

241 That's not what would happen, and you know it.
Private charity would step up where government does not cover like it
always has. And in the United States, without fail historically, every
single time people have more money in their pockets charitable giving goes up.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:08 PM (39g3+)

I've seen it with my own eyes in various 3rd-world countries. Vietnam was like that less than 10 years ago last time I was there. Who do you expect to be contributing to those private charities?

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 02:15 PM (UBzPO)

242 I'm sorry, but how is that my problem?

Here's an analogy for you:

I can ensure safe driving by everyone in the country overnight. Install a speak in the steering wheel of every car in the nation, pointed directly at the driver's heart. People will drive more safely if they know they'll most likely die if they get into a crash.

Bringing that back to Social Security:

If you know that no one is looking out for you for retirement (a modern invention, by the way), then you have greater incentive to save for it yourself.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:11 PM (PijNd)

I get it, and I agree, but realistically, it's not politically possible. To make it work, you'd have accept that there would be people dying in the street, a la Calcutta.

Now it's true that some people's sole contribution to society is to serve as an example to others, but we as a society are not prepared to do that. Whether we should be or not is another question.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:15 PM (+CzJu)

243 I'm fine with people getting back what they put into Social Security, then end it at that point. For me that would be like 80 bucks or some such. If it were ever ended you'd have to let people have back what was taken out of their paycheck.

But this is just nonsense. Nothing outside an act of God or SMOD is going to end Social Security. They'll gut the military and intelligence budgets to pay for it. Never, ever will it stop.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:16 PM (39g3+)

244 This is why we, heh heh, need to EXPAND Social Security and, heh heh, give EVERYONE Medicare regardless of age!

Posted by: Nanzee Polozee at June 11, 2018 02:16 PM (XcgmW)

245 I need to start prepping the wife for life in a Yurt. I think she'll do well with the goat milking but I'm not sure she will like softening my moccasins with her teeth.

Posted by: Godfather Gumby at June 11, 2018 02:16 PM (2LelM)

246 I get a lump some equal to every penny that was taken at gunpoint, and in return, I don't charge interest on a forty year loan?"

Aw, that's cute. Thinking what you have doesn't belong to us...

/ your betters

Posted by: The GOP at June 11, 2018 02:16 PM (7LY+6)

247 21 This is partly Trump's fault, because he rejected any idea of reforming these systems to keep them solvent.

------------

I have a hard time putting an ounce of blame on a guy who has been President for the last 2% of the current entitlement lifecycle.
Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 01:36 PM (sX1BW)

Yeah, same here.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez, they are gaslighting us 24/365 at June 11, 2018 02:16 PM (GNCPT)

248 Simple fix - pay out all SS and Medicare payments in Bolivars. There are a metric f*ckton of those available.

Posted by: Roy at June 11, 2018 02:16 PM (7n4KQ)

249 All that's left now is to sit there next to the rest of my Gen Xers and laugh bitterly as the Boomers and Millenials fight over the scraps.

I can see AtC sitting there twisting her handlebar mustache giggling "the plan, the plan".

Posted by: wrg500 at June 11, 2018 02:16 PM (Bdeb0)

250 238 I miss Monty.

"What can't continue, won't."
Posted by: WitchDoktor, AKA VA GOP Sucks at June 11, 2018 02:15 PM (PFy0L)

=============

I was just thinking of him.

Why doesn't he bring his special brand of joy to the HQ anymore?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:16 PM (Hy0dE)

251 I'd place reasonable odds on 401ks and other savings being taxed because that's where the money is (among other places).

Posted by: Willy Sutton at June 11, 2018 02:16 PM (LgxQn)

252 223
Deep in their hearts the lefties know if they turn the heat up
enough, they can get the go ahead to steal everyone's savings and spread
the wealth, then we'll all be wealthy and comfortable in our
retirement??? or something???

"You have so much, and others have so little."

Yeah, well maybe if they'd been more prudent financially, they'd
have a lot more too. A lot of people live up to the limit of their
income - or above the limit, in some cases.

I taught my sons the profound difference between saving for
something, and then buying it, versus buying something, and then paying
for it.

In the first case, you get paid interest; in the second, you pay interest.

Integrated over a lifetime, that alone generates a huge swing in financial fortunes.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:12 PM (+CzJu)

It's like the people you know who have declared bankruptcy twice and yet take a cruise every year to the Caribbean, taking their kids out of school to do it.
I haven't had a vacation like that in all of my lifetime, let alone every year.

Posted by: Cuthbert the Witless at June 11, 2018 02:16 PM (ymnmz)

253 Lintels? Potatoes? I can't eat these? I need real food! Like frozen pizzas and soda!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:15 PM (PijNd)

---

Easter baskets!

https://tinyurl.com/ychqcpup

Posted by: Moron Robbie - I choose to live my life as a black woman at June 11, 2018 02:16 PM (VgKNm)

254 Who do you expect to be contributing to those private charities?

Clearly not you.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:16 PM (39g3+)

255 You do the fing math.

Posted by: fixerupper at June 11, 2018 02:11 PM (8XRCm)

NO! I DON'T WANT TO AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at June 11, 2018 02:17 PM (wYseH)

256
How many working don't have some kind of 401(k) or 403(b) plans these days?
---------------------------
I had a real nice one until the Clinton Mortgage Ponzi Scheme popped.

Posted by: Godfather Gumby at June 11, 2018 02:17 PM (2LelM)

257 "Here's an analogy for you:

I can ensure safe driving by everyone in the country overnight. Install a speak in the steering wheel of every car in the nation, pointed directly at the driver's heart. People will drive more safely if they know they'll most likely die if they get into a crash. "

Why you stealing my Driver Improvement plan?

And for the record, it is supposed to be a 4" Stainless Steel spike.

And the steering wheel mounted airbag is obviously deleted.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at June 11, 2018 02:17 PM (EyPfd)

258 I get it, and I agree, but realistically, it's not politically possible. To make it work, you'd have accept that there would be people dying in the street, a la Calcutta.

Now it's true that some people's sole contribution to society is to serve as an example to others, but we as a society are not prepared to do that. Whether we should be or not is another question.
Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:15 PM (+CzJu)

=============

Selfishness is a virtue, you know.

Posted by: Ayn Rand at June 11, 2018 02:17 PM (Hy0dE)

259 What? Trump has said since the campaign he wants reform to occur.
He's looked at Johnson's plan and even talked to some Democrats about it.
The main problem that really exacerbated to losses was the loosening of Social Security Disability requirements.
Remember they made "not speaking English" a disability?
There is so much fraud and welfare in that program it's a joke.

Posted by: Marcus T at June 11, 2018 02:17 PM (VpIIl)

260 "Deep in their hearts the lefties know if they turn the heat up enough, they can get the go ahead to steal everyone's savings and spread the wealth , then we'll all be wealthy and comfortable in our retirement??? or something???"

Richard Fernandez has a good article up, relating to the troubles of globalization and George Soros' realization that all of the money he is dumping cannot necessarily *make happen* the things he wants to happen. Some parts of the Left, it seems, are remembering that they are riding on the same boat as everyone else.

It is sort of like the supervillain monologuing about destroying the world and the superhero's sidekick saying "Destroy the world? You mean the one we're sitting on, Captain Genius?"

Posted by: Mikey NTH - The Outrage Outlet Proudly Sponsors The Last Voyage of the Sea Cuck! at June 11, 2018 02:17 PM (hLRSq)

261 I've seen it with my own eyes in various 3rd-world countries. Vietnam was like that less than 10 years ago last time I was there. Who do you expect to be contributing to those private charities?

-----------

Charitable Americans who have a long history of being charitable with their wealth ... not third world countries who have no such history - though the Catholic Vietnamese in this country are indeed quite charitable.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 02:18 PM (sX1BW)

262 USNTakim at 92: Dude, don't even joke like that. Please,let the horde know if you really feel that way. We can help.

Posted by: Scott-High Plains Deplorable at June 11, 2018 02:18 PM (IaZyW)

263 How many working don't have some kind of 401(k) or 403(b) plans these days?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:15 PM (PijNd)

1 in 3 Americans Has Saved $0 for Retirement

http://time.com/money/4258451/retirement-savings-survey/

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:18 PM (+CzJu)

264 Late to the thread, but

1. Bush also tried reform at the start of his second term. He was pilloried by the press.

2. Just to be clear, the key date is not when the "lockbox" is depleted, but when the flow into the fund goes negative. That is, right now.
The lockbox is just a pile of IOU's. When flow goes negative they have to raise taxes or cut spending. Or print money.

The negative effects will be delayed, since they have been printing money for a while without bad inflation, but the bill will come due - there is no question there.

We have been spending our future for quite a while, but it accelerated after 2000, and went into hyperdrive under the last admin. What has all that spending bought us?

Posted by: Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest at June 11, 2018 02:18 PM (LWu6U)

265 How many working don't have some kind of 401(k) or 403(b) plans these days?

Millions of union members and public leeches.

Posted by: Kristian Holvoet at June 11, 2018 02:18 PM (4RsUF)

266 Ponzi schemes, how do they work?

Posted by: Retard Strength Trumps Smart Power at June 11, 2018 02:18 PM (RKQ/v)

267 The only thing worse for a society than redistribution of wealth is the promise of future redistribution of wealth.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 11, 2018 02:18 PM (AURKQ)

268 Social Security already is means tested, on the back end: to the extent you have other income, your Social Security benefits are federally taxed. So they give it to you and then take some of it away.

Posted by: Fungible Felix at June 11, 2018 02:19 PM (XcgmW)

269 257 Why you stealing my Driver Improvement plan?

And for the record, it is supposed to be a 4" Stainless Steel spike.

And the steering wheel mounted airbag is obviously deleted.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at June 11, 2018 02:17 PM (EyPfd)

============

I think I got it from Milton Friedman.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:19 PM (Hy0dE)

270 I was told this banana republic would have free bananas.

Posted by: Neil deGrasse It's not rape if I'm wearing the dress Tyson at June 11, 2018 02:19 PM (1L9V9)

271 How much is the FBI costing us each year? HEW, HUD, Dept of Educaiton. There are a lot of places to cut.

Posted by: Godfather Gumby at June 11, 2018 02:19 PM (2LelM)

272 I'm betting we send a metric buttload of charity dollars* (and toys, clothes, food, etc.) to those 3rd world sh*tholes where their neighbors won't.

* And taxpayer dollars

Posted by: Moron Robbie - I choose to live my life as a black woman at June 11, 2018 02:19 PM (VgKNm)

273 I can see AtC sitting there twisting her handlebar mustache giggling "the plan, the plan".

Posted by: wrg500 at June 11, 2018 02:16 PM (Bdeb0)

Then she turns her Big Wheel around and pedals off, the handlebar tassels floating in the wind.

Posted by: Mikey NTH - The Outrage Outlet Proudly Sponsors The Last Voyage of the Sea Cuck! at June 11, 2018 02:19 PM (hLRSq)

274 Matlock! Maaatlock! Maaaaaatlock!

Posted by: 2034 A.D. protesters at June 11, 2018 02:19 PM (Evws/)

275 While I wouldn't bet heavy on it, I can easily see Trump being the one who makes some changes to "save" the programs. Really, just delaying its demise. There is no way to actually save it.
Posted by: SH

There's lots of ways to save it. Economic growth/jobs, so more is coming in--Push back the eligibility age, means test, let people partially opt out, replenish the 'lockbox' and invest it long term in something other than the government.

Medicare has similar opportunities including tort reform, total free market competition by insurers and care providers.

These suggestions might seem cruel and heartless to some; but compared to killing (letting die) sick and old people (which is the path Europe has chosen and Obamacare was heading for) they seem pretty damn good to me.
Posted by: Dirks Strewn

Raise the income cap on SS tax payment, but then the system looks more and more like income redistribution than some government pension plan.

Look REAL HARD at people getting SS below retirement age.

Raise the ceiling for MAXIMUM benefits. My BiL is 66 and frankly worn out, physically, after doing manual labor most of his life. He is already "retired", but sometimes works (and pays taxes on it).

And the old tried and true result: Raise the SS Tax. It will happen.

Balance the budget to allow more borrowing for SS. We are so deep in the red in Federal Spending, this too will bring about a reckoning.

And I'm 62. I'll likely work until they don't let me work anymore, or until I'm dead. Or something like that.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....menace to society at June 11, 2018 02:20 PM (vcOmj)

276 I'm amazed that no one has brought up the easiest way to keep the system going. All you need to do is bring about 30 million 25 - 30 year old men into the system, guys who will have their entire working lives ahead of them, and no associated older relations to siphon off benefits. Of course, it's only fair that in exchange for saving the SS system with their earnings, they be given full amnesty along with immediate citizenship and full voting rights. Right? Right???

Posted by: Jeb Bush at June 11, 2018 02:20 PM (k1TUh)

277 There is so much fraud and welfare in that program it's a joke"

True. SS payments are seemingly everywhere today...

Posted by: Anon a mouse at June 11, 2018 02:20 PM (7LY+6)

278 Yeah but there are more stars in the sky than grains of sand on earth...

Posted by: Obama's philosophy on how to fix this at June 11, 2018 02:20 PM (FWsqf)

279 Social Security already is means tested, on the back end: to the extent you have other income, your Social Security benefits are federally taxed. So they give it to you and then take some of it away.

-----------

I'm talking about means testing it on the front end. Taking it away entirely for certain wealthy people who believe they are entitled to it because they paid for it their whole lives. Harsh - I'm not generally in favor of taking from the producers of this country - but a necessary start.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 02:20 PM (sX1BW)

280 Grow five sizes *upwards*, that is.
Posted by: Mikey NTH - The Outrage Outlet Proudly Sponsors The Last Voyage of the Sea Cuck! at June 11, 2018 02:02 PM (hLRSq)

Sigh. That is not how that is going.

*shovels Pringles into maw*

Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Hopping all around. at June 11, 2018 02:20 PM (mf5HN)

281 265 How many working don't have some kind of 401(k) or 403(b) plans these days?

Millions of union members and public leeches.
Posted by: Kristian Holvoet at June 11, 2018 02:18 PM (4RsUF)

Also, how many people actually contribute to 401(k) or 403(b) plans? Or make trivial contributions?

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:20 PM (+CzJu)

282 SH
I never thought the government would destroy my private health care, but they did, and it happened fast. Before that I did not believe they would take the 401K's (IRA's etc.), but now I believe they will.

Posted by: LMD Outer Banker at June 11, 2018 02:21 PM (YuQLm)

283 And with my declaration of innocence (of that at least) I'm out. Thanks again folks. Be seeing you.
Posted by: Insomniac at June 11, 2018 02:14 PM (NWiLs)

I think he just stole my jar of lineament!

Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 11, 2018 02:21 PM (ycWCI)

284 276 I'm amazed that no one has brought up the easiest way to keep the system going. All you need to do is bring about 30 million 25 - 30 year old men into the system, guys who will have their entire working lives ahead of them, and no associated older relations to siphon off benefits. Of course, it's only fair that in exchange for saving the SS system with their earnings, they be given full amnesty along with immediate citizenship and full voting rights. Right? Right???
Posted by: Jeb Bush at June 11, 2018 02:20 PM (k1TUh)

============

Someone make this man president!

He's the most conservative choice!

Posted by: Bill Kristol at June 11, 2018 02:21 PM (Hy0dE)

285
1 in 3 Americans Has Saved $0 for Retirement

http://time.com/money/4258451/retirement-savings-survey/
Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity

Under "means testing" these will be the people who receive SS, not those of us who bothered to save.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at June 11, 2018 02:21 PM (IqV8l)

286 The existence of a 401k or 403b plan is one thing - though I know quite a few coworkers who had to put off their retirement for, um, eight years because of lackluster stock market performance coupled with the mutual funds into which those plans were invested.

And because they did not retire until later, job prospects for younger workers are more limited - thus delaying their own saving.

Lost decade indeed.

Just saying.

Posted by: WitchDoktor, AKA VA GOP Sucks at June 11, 2018 02:21 PM (tVWQB)

287 The problem with incentivizing people do do what is good for them is that there are more than a few people who are just so worthless, stupid, foolish, short sighted, or unlucky that it doesn't change them any.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:21 PM (39g3+)

288 Don't worry guys, we can just print more money.

Posted by: Former Enron Advisor Paul Krugman at June 11, 2018 02:21 PM (72PAC)

289 "I think I got it from Milton Friedman."

So that's the fcuker that copied it?

Next, somebody is gonna claim my Affordable Firearm Act for themselves as well.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at June 11, 2018 02:21 PM (EyPfd)

290 sock off

Posted by: LGoPs at June 11, 2018 02:21 PM (FWsqf)

291 How about, I get a lump some equal to every penny that was taken at gunpoint, and in return, I don't charge interest on a forty year loan?

Sadly, your chance of this is zero point zero.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 11, 2018 02:21 PM (yQpMk)

292 Dilemma.
Turn 66 next year. Forced retirement at 62 has left me with a livable income while working part time and paying for insurance. Spend the other half time job taking care of parents.
So should I get immediate benefits? Positive is I get to suck out some money before they means test me out of benefits. Negative is I accelerate the collapse.
So should I wait? Positive is that monthly payouts go up as I wait. Negative is as I wait the day of payouts evaporating gets closer.
Notice the incentives. Strike now! Don't wait! There is no realistic incentive to wait. This is because the system is being run by the gubbermint. And the blubbering gubbermint destroys all even with the lightest touch.

My bet is the bastards will find a way to tax away any benefits I will receive to feed back into the program. It's the ant-grasshopper fable with the iron fist of fairness flipping the moral of the story.

Posted by: Headless Body of Agnew at June 11, 2018 02:21 PM (e1mEI)

293 And the old tried and true result: Raise the SS Tax. It will happen.

-------------

I wouldn't be so sure of that. Remember this country likes low taxes as much as they like entitlements.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 02:22 PM (sX1BW)

294 You realize that they did raise the retirement age, right? I was born in 1951 and could retire at age 66 at the earliest. That goes up, depending on when you were born.

And we are talking about $1600 a month here. I pay taxes on mine because I'm still working.

Posted by: notsothoreau at June 11, 2018 02:22 PM (JKNZq)

295 You want to see fraud, abuse and political favors at work, check out the Foxnews story on Hasidim in NY. It's a joke, they are draining one community at a time.

Posted by: Marcus T at June 11, 2018 02:22 PM (VpIIl)

296 Yeah but there are more stars in the sky than grains of sand on earth...
Posted by: Obama's philosophy on how to fix this

There are more grains of sand on earth than brain cells in Obama's head.

A lot more.

Big Dummie.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....menace to society at June 11, 2018 02:22 PM (vcOmj)

297 287 The problem with incentivizing people do do what is good for them is that there are more than a few people who are just so worthless, stupid, foolish, short sighted, or unlucky that it doesn't change them any.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:21 PM (39g3+)

============

If you are going to build a system, you do it for the benefit of the most possible.

The good of those who fall outside of it can't be what drives the decision making processes.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:23 PM (Hy0dE)

298 Shouldn't we all be thanking former President Cock Curious?

Posted by: Fritz at June 11, 2018 02:23 PM (2Mnv1)

299 Some robot stole my pills!

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 11, 2018 02:23 PM (yQpMk)

300 We could all go and live with Robert Dinero.

Posted by: Godfather Gumby at June 11, 2018 02:23 PM (2LelM)

301 Makes me laugh when they use the words "trust fund" in relation to Social Security. Its not a fund. Its nearly $3 trillion in special T-Bonds that earn 2% a year and can only be cashed in by the SSA.

When they cash them in, the Treasury has to issue new bonds (aka borrow) to cover the bonds cashed in. If they can't find enough buyers we are boned. And we are legion (Monty's Legion of the Boned, anyone?) The money has long since been spent.

Posted by: AZ Hi Desert at June 11, 2018 02:23 PM (O9qtX)

302 I do admire the way the Horde can get themselves worked up over something that may or may not happen sixteen years into the future. It's like more immediate problems have all been addressed or they like arguing about this stuff or something.

Posted by: Mikey NTH - The Outrage Outlet Proudly Sponsors The Last Voyage of the Sea Cuck! at June 11, 2018 02:23 PM (hLRSq)

303 Another unspoken secret is hat ecomonists know exactly where to find all the money needed -- in the transfer of wealth from one generation to the next.

When the baby boom dies off there will be a lot of money transferred. This is the politicians favored source since the well off will know how to set up trusts, and shelters. The poor have none, so once again middle class will pay the bill when inheritance taxes go up.

Posted by: Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest at June 11, 2018 02:23 PM (LWu6U)

304 Charitable Americans who have a long history of
being charitable with their wealth ... not third world countries who
have no such history - though the Catholic Vietnamese in this country
are indeed quite charitable.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 02:18 PM (sX1BW)

My point is there won't be enough. That's why these systems were designed the way they were in the first place. During the Great Depression those charities eventually ran out of other people's money and the Gov't didn't have the money to fund it outright. That's how it became a system where future workers paid for current retirees. The only way it ever worked in the first place was WWII starting and the mobilization that came with that followed by the economic boom that came with our rebuilding of Europe.
Which brings us to Option #2. Another World War.

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 02:23 PM (UBzPO)

305 Obamacare and Social Security were doing fine until Trump took over! Arrrrrgggghhhhhh!!!!!

Posted by: And Now a Message from West Hartford at June 11, 2018 02:24 PM (XcgmW)

306 1 in 3 Americans Has Saved $0 for Retirement

http://time.com/money/4258451/retirement-savings-survey/
Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity

Under "means testing" these will be the people who receive SS, not those of us who bothered to save.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at June 11, 2018 02:21 PM (IqV8l)

Yep. It's inevitable.

I just wanted to rebut any supposition that most people have retirement savings.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:24 PM (+CzJu)

307 295 You want to see fraud, abuse and political favors at work, check out the Foxnews story on Hasidim in NY. It's a joke, they are draining one community at a time.
------------------------
The line between a shame people and a shameless people is very fine.

Posted by: Godfather Gumby at June 11, 2018 02:24 PM (2LelM)

308 Two obvious things are forcing us to rethink how we do things at a very basic level:

1) People live far longer than they ever used to, and are relatively healthy and active during those years.

2) Family structures across many demographics have been completely ravaged.

The ideal is that your own family takes care of you when you're not able to take care of yourself anymore.

For many (and for many different reasons), that is not an option. It's not merely an exercise in economic knob-twiddling like the so-called "experts" in congress seem to think. Our culture got broken, and no amount of free goodies or lockboxes is going to fix that.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 11, 2018 02:24 PM (AURKQ)

309 There are more grains of sand on earth than brain cells in Obama's head.

A lot more.

Big Dummie.
Posted by: Bozo Conservative....menace to society at June 11, 2018 02:22 PM (vcOmj)

Dream smaller: There are fewer cigarettes in this mostly empty pack than brain cells in Obama's head...

Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 11, 2018 02:24 PM (ycWCI)

310 It's like more immediate problems have all been addressed or they like arguing about this stuff or something.

This is Abuse. Arguments are next door.

Stupid git.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at June 11, 2018 02:24 PM (XtLaP)

311
118 I agree. But being 34, please allow me to expend a hearty "FUCK YOU" to all my elders. Great job assholes.

you're welcome

Posted by: Anachronda gets senior discounts now at June 11, 2018 02:24 PM (NmR1a)

312 >>>I agree. But being 34, please allow me to expend a hearty "FUCK YOU" to all my elders. Great job assholes.

Don't. Stop. Thinkingabouttomorrow.

Posted by: Baby Boomers singing Fleetwood Mac at June 11, 2018 02:24 PM (Fiwz/)

313 Yeah while I really liked Bush's "invest your own money" retirement plan, the crash of the stock market a year or so after he proposed it kind of took the wind out of the sails there. Its true that you generally can do much better with your own investments than what the government does, but the government's investments are usually much, much safer and more stable. And since you're likely to see 2-3 crashes or big downturns in the stock market in your lifetime, its not a very secure or trustworthy way to plan for your future.

I know more than a few people who's retirements were nearly wiped out by the '07 crash.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:24 PM (39g3+)

314 All you say is true, ace, but two small corrections. Dubya took a (brief) stab at trying to reform the system (Soc Sec side), but of course was demagogued into submission (plus, the stalwart American people were panicking like Justin Trudeau over OMG Iraq war eleventy help us eleventy!!! etc, and the GOP was as useful as they are today, so Bush was far too weak to take on something this big).

Dubya also worsened things on the Medicare side, big-time, Part D.

And Trump has not been around long enough (got his first public paycheck less than two years ago) to really share responsibility. But his clock has started. We'll see.

Posted by: rhomboid at June 11, 2018 02:25 PM (QDnY+)

315 Also, I don't think young people should stop contributing because what you pay in you save a good part of by not having to pay taxes, plus you get an employer match. So it gets invested and grows. Then if the government even starts talking about privatizing, immediately pull it and pay the penalty, you still should be ahead of the game if you are vested and get an employer match.

Posted by: LMD Outer Banker at June 11, 2018 02:25 PM (YuQLm)

316 None of the solutions are politically viable. Perhaps with term limits...

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 02:25 PM (UBzPO)

317 I do admire the way the Horde can get themselves worked up over something that may or may not happen sixteen years into the future. It's like more immediate problems have all been addressed or they like arguing about this stuff or something.

---------

And this is the problem with these arguments. Human nature is to deal with calamities after the calamity. Not before. Especially ones that are societal in nature.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 02:25 PM (sX1BW)

318 How many working don't have some kind of 401(k) or 403(b) plans these days?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison at June 11, 2018 02:15 PM (PijNd)

How many 401(k)s were ass-raped by the recession? That's the problem. People in the 40s remembered the Great Depression. By the 1970s the memory had started to fade, and a new generation embraced 401(k)s. Then 2008 happened.

Posted by: Colorado Alex In Exile at June 11, 2018 02:25 PM (Tnhbr)

319 As a dedicated, hard-core, unapologetic, and ongoing TEA Partier, I was informed in no uncertain terms that noticing this reality was racist. I personally don't need SS or Medicare, I was just worried about the progeny, but apparently that was just the privilege and greed talking. So everyone can go fuck right off.

Posted by: motionview at June 11, 2018 02:26 PM (pYQR/)

320 We're nearly 300 comments in and no one has mentioned the AARP's culpability here? Any damn time there has been a serious proposal to rework "entitlements" in an effort to maintain their viability OR the tax system in general, the fucking AARP marches out and scares the living shit of seniors. "The Republicans are going to take your bennies and MURDER YOU! BLARGH!! Call your congressmen today and tell them you don't want to be murdered by Republicans!!" And, the seniors buy it hook, line, and sinker, the plan is killed, and the can is kicked farther down the road.

Posted by: antisocial justice beatnik at June 11, 2018 02:26 PM (NL6wI)

321 Which brings us to Option #2. Another World War.
Posted by: Brian in New Orleans

So cheery. So optimistic.

Breed more kids that will grow up to pay taxes. It was 42 working people to each person on SS when the plan went into effect. Now it is less than 2 people paying for every person collecting SS benefits of some kind.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....menace to society at June 11, 2018 02:26 PM (vcOmj)

322 287 The problem with incentivizing people do do what is good for them is that there are more than a few people who are just so worthless, stupid, foolish, short sighted, or unlucky that it doesn't change them any.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:21 PM (39g3+)

This.

And there are a lot of those people. Perhaps even a majority.

And we could just let them rot, and I appreciate the point, but as the liberals say, "That's not who we are."

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:26 PM (+CzJu)

323 304 Which brings us to Option #2. Another World War.

no good. it'll mostly kill the young 'uns that should be making sammiches for us old folks.

Posted by: Anachronda gets senior discounts now at June 11, 2018 02:26 PM (xGZ+b)

324 Both parties piss me off on SS. They always ask in the debates if they will raise the age past 65.

I am 29 so my retirement age is 67. The law changed in 1983. The bastards are too chicken shit to even admit what is already the law.

Posted by: blaster at June 11, 2018 02:26 PM (Z5y53)

325 Under "means testing" these will be the people who receive SS, not those of us who bothered to save.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr.

Truth

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at June 11, 2018 02:26 PM (FTlwv)

326 MiL update. She was diagnosed with a tumor, which is bleeding, causing pressure on the brain, nausea, incoherence. She is somewhat stable in ICU. Surgery at 4 pm PT. FiL still en route.

Thank you for your continued prayers for my dear wife and her family, and my two boys, all of whom love her dearly and are crushed or will be. We have not told the boys much.

She is the Grandma that every grandchild deserves. Wife and I would joke that we didn't exist when she was around, from sun up to sun down.

She keeps asking to see them but they cannot go in, and she can't leave. We're going to try to FaceTime soon.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (gTYjx)

327 prayers, Insomniac!

we'll be keeping The Barrel warm for you

Posted by: votermom pimping NEW Moron-authored books! at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (hMwEB)

328
How about we just cut off all of the money to all of the welfare programs to the lazy asses who think we owe them a living and put all that money to SS. Let the FSA riot. Fvck 'em

Posted by: TheQuietMan at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (SiINZ)

329 Yeah while I really liked Bush's "invest your own money" retirement plan, the crash of the stock market a year or so after he proposed it kind of took the wind out of the sails there.

Yeah well...how have the markets done since then?

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (XtLaP)

330 Noooood!

Posted by: 2034 A.D. protesters at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (Evws/)

331 This is why I have everything in Bitcoin.

Posted by: Brian Dead at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (XcgmW)

332 prayers for your MIL, flounder

Posted by: votermom pimping NEW Moron-authored books! at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (hMwEB)

333 How many 401(k)s were ass-raped by the recession? That's the problem. People in the 40s remembered the Great Depression. By the 1970s the memory had started to fade, and a new generation embraced 401(k)s. Then 2008 happened.
Posted by: Colorado Alex In Exile at June 11, 2018 02:25 PM (Tnhbr)

This. My grandparents always lived on shoe-string budget- and they had money saved up.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (ycWCI)

334 Sustainability you say? Couldn't we just like, sell carbon credits for Mother Gaia or something?

Posted by: Fritz at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (2Mnv1)

335

I can start taking the reduced payment in 2024 age 62... will have to think about taking some versus risking getting none...

Kinda like getting raped in the prison shower... gonna happen, do you lube up ahead of time and take the dicking without the beating, or go down fighting and getting yur bunghole sewn up later?

Posted by: In Vino Veritits, What Trolls Under the Bridge Are Afraid Of... at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (UFLLM)

336 Which brings us to Option #2. Another World War.
-----------------------
Well we could have the WWIII in about 30 minutes. No need to mobilize just launch the missiles. So we take out China in an hour, which means we took out 15% of the world's GDP. Somehow I don't see how that makes us wealthier.

Posted by: Godfather Gumby at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (2LelM)

337 Some robot stole my pills!
Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 11, 2018 02:23 PM

Ok that one made me laugh.

If the ONT is still running in 2034, I can see MisHum posting a link to a story of some genius actually making that claim.

Posted by: Hands at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (EzdLW)

338 Headless body of agnew,

Here's how it works. Things change the year you hit retirement age. They raise the cap on what you can make and collect benefits from something like $12k to $44k, up to the month you hit retirement age. The month you hit retirement age, the cap goes away. You can collect benefits regardless of how much you make. You may be taxed on it, but you can work and collect. And it does increase the amount you are paid, as you put more money into the system.

I'm working and collecting. I make $16 an hour. Getting the extra money allows us to get this house on the market. (My husband was on disability and was changed over to SS when he hit retirement age.) When the property sells, I retire for good and hope there's enough to live off. I've had to take out early draws from my 401k to keep the taxes paid up enough they can't foreclose on the house (which is paid for.)

Posted by: notsothoreau at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (JKNZq)

339 I assume that the first change will be means testing. That means us who earned a military retirement will lose SS.
Posted by: Heywood Jablowme at June 11, 2018 02:13 PM (jsWA

I'm kind of counting on SS to make my military retirement an actual retirement. Also, we have to enroll in Medicare as we approach age 65 or else lose Tricare.

Posted by: Bill R. at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (IuYIh)

340 Obamacare and Social Security were doing fine until Trump took over! Arrrrrgggghhhhhh!!!!!
Posted by: And Now a Message from West Hartford

it's because we haven't invested in renewable energy sources like... hemp...dude.

Posted by: Colorado at June 11, 2018 02:27 PM (5C+G3)

341 1) People live far longer than they ever used to, and are relatively healthy and active during those years.

And what's more is that they retire at the same time as their grand dad did, despite having a decade or more of vigor and ability to keep working.

In the 1960s, a 60 year old was a white haired grandparent, Aunt May from the comic books. You were out of steam and on your way out by that point. Today, 60 is still going strong, if a little slower.

2) Family structures across many demographics have been completely ravaged.

The ideal is that your own family takes care of you when you're not able to take care of yourself anymore.

A very good point; the main infrastructure that worked for millennia before has been successfully destroyed by the left, making it impossible to rely on for most people. Even for those with intact families, culturally we're trained from birth to care about ourselves first second, and third, with family a distant 50th or so. Popular Culture depicts family as a horrible annoying burden, not a joyful blessing.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at June 11, 2018 02:28 PM (39g3+)

342 How about we just cut off all of the money to all of the welfare programs to the lazy asses who think we owe them a living and put all that money to SS. Let the FSA riot. Fvck 'em

---------------

I do think the welfare checks will cease before the SS checks.

Posted by: SH at June 11, 2018 02:28 PM (sX1BW)

343 Posted by: Headless Body of Agnew at June 11, 2018 02:21

As you say, look at the incentives. Obviously you stop officially working part time, so that your payments will be maximized. Then find some way to keep on doing what you're doing off the books, cash only. Everybody else does it.

as far as "accelerate the collapse" - it's coming no matter what you do, it's self flattery to think anything you can do will have any impact at all. So that means you don't have to worry about it. Remember, if it's Everyone's Problem, then it's no one's problem at all.

Posted by: Tom Servo at June 11, 2018 02:28 PM (k1TUh)

344 "You guys just going to sit there and rattle your gums or is somebody going to give me a push?"

--Grandma, cliffside, in a wheelchair

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at June 11, 2018 02:28 PM (FTlwv)

345 How many working don't have some kind of 401(k) or 403(b) plans these days?

Millions of union members and public leeches.
Posted by: Kristian Holvoet at June 11, 2018 02:18 PM (4RsUF)

Also, how many people actually contribute to 401(k) or 403(b) plans? Or make trivial contributions?

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:20 PM (+CzJu)

--------------------

I was for a while when I was younger.

Then life got expensive.

Right around the time Obama was elected - 2008.

I had to throttle back my contributions to nothing, then next-to-nothing once things started getting a little better, but now back to nothing.

I had to take out a loan against my 401k. I paid it back just in time to need another one one.

And these "needs" aren't things like vacations or new cars. These needs were like medical expenses and patching together the existing car and a new roof on the house when the old one wasn't working. The most frivolous thing I think any of the money went to was chipping in on my step-daughter's purchase of a used car.

Every year my salary grows right about as much as my costs for medical insurance grow. Some years it didn't even cover that.

I saved when I could. I'm glad I did. Not all of it is making it to retirement.

Those who don't have savings -- some are idiots, some are wasteful, some are just dealing with life kicking them in the teeth at the moment. We're still reeling from a crap decade under Barry, and it takes a while for some to bounce back financially.

Posted by: reason at June 11, 2018 02:28 PM (l2max)

346 Nood...Soylo

Posted by: Tami at June 11, 2018 02:29 PM (Enq6K)

347 "It was 42 working people to each person on SS when the plan went into effect. Now it is less than 2 people paying for every person collecting SS benefits of some kind."

Population is larger now than back then.

So.....we'll make up for it in volume.

Common Core is my friend.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at June 11, 2018 02:29 PM (EyPfd)

348 I do admire the way the Horde can get themselves worked up over something that may or may not happen sixteen years into the future. It's like more immediate problems have all been addressed or they like arguing about this stuff or something.

The problem has to be tackled on a long-term basis. Getting our hair on the fire the week before the whole thing collapses is pointless.

It's kind of like China's one child program. It's kinda hard to generate 20 year old Chinese right now. You have to have thought about that 21 years ago.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:29 PM (+CzJu)

349 Look at the numbers on Social Security Disability. Then look at who is collecting it. In fact, go to one of these urban cities and see who is applying.

It's a total scam and a lot of it was linked to immigration policy, or the lack thereof. The Democrats really opened it up to the world, and the GOP partly helped them while chasing votes. There are doctors who are just rubber stamping this garbage. The people applying all know who to go to and what to say.
It's pathetic. Meanwhile seniors who paid in their entire lives are worried.

Posted by: Marcus T at June 11, 2018 02:29 PM (VpIIl)

350 Social Security won't be there when I am old enough to collect, I've known that since I was in my 20s. The system was never meant to be a 20+ year retirement plan to begin with.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor

I'm sick of hearing this.

Veterans benefits included free medical care for vets and their families. That goal post was moved again and again.

Which is one of the main complaints with Obamacare and ANY government program. They promise all sorts of shit and pawn it off on others.

Posted by: Blue Hen at June 11, 2018 02:29 PM (GYX1g)

351 Rush just asked; where are all the Republicans pushing back on all the crazy attacks on Trump?

If someone at the country music awards said F' Obama, every Republican would be running to the microphones to condemn the hateful rhetoric.

Posted by: Cm9000 at June 11, 2018 02:30 PM (fRU2t)

352 bring about 30 million 25 - 30 year old men into the system, guys who will have their entire working lives ahead

Can we make them 20-25 year old men, well oiled and desperate for money?

Posted by: Shep Smith at June 11, 2018 02:30 PM (Fiwz/)

353 Let the FSA riot. "

It'd be a good one. Last numbers I saw claimed some 60 plus million received SS payouts, but only 40 something million were "retired, widowed, or families of..."

20 million is a lot...

Posted by: Anon a mouse at June 11, 2018 02:31 PM (7LY+6)

354 Anyone who "lost" money in 2008 was someone who panicked and sold. If you left it alone or - gasp - invested more money at temporarily depressed prices, you'd have done very, very well in the last ten years.

Posted by: Index This at June 11, 2018 02:31 PM (XcgmW)

355 Those who don't have savings -- some are idiots, some are wasteful, some are just dealing with life kicking them in the teeth at the moment. We're still reeling from a crap decade under Barry, and it takes a while for some to bounce back financially.
Posted by: reason at June 11, 2018 02:28 PM (l2max)

My sincere sympathy. Life kicks some people in the teeth, no question. Others go dancing in the mine field. The problem is how to help out those who suffered misfortune through no fault of their own, while not doing so for those who created their own problems.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:31 PM (+CzJu)

356 My losses were in the six figures, though in fairness, I've been writing them off against my taxes for 10 years, but still, painful.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 11, 2018 02:31 PM (yQpMk)

357 If you really want to have fun, read up on CALPERS and what is happening to cities as they try to pull out of the system.

Cities that dutifully collected what CALPERS said was owed as contributions are now getting the bill for the real amount owed. Why? Because those numbers are the true ones, not the 7-10% annual growth that CALPERS uses to lie about how badly off it is.

see this: https://lat.ms/2vfI1L8

Okay and now I must off *trudges*

Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Hopping all around. at June 11, 2018 02:32 PM (mf5HN)

358 How many working don't have some kind of 401(k) or 403(b) plans these days?

Millions of union members and public leeches.

Posted by: Kristian Holvoet at June 11, 2018 02:18 PM (4RsUF)

Time to cut off all funding to all public sector/government retirement plans too. I have to fund my own retirement. Let them do the same

Posted by: TheQuietMan at June 11, 2018 02:32 PM (SiINZ)

359 "People live far longer than they ever used to, and are relatively healthy and active during those years. "

It doesn't matter. If businesses are cutting older workers around age 50, what makes you think they will keep workers on that are 70? And...my experience is that 70 is not as spry as people assume. It's hard not to have racked up some sort of health issues by then.

Let me also point out that there are young folks that die off and don't collect a penny of what they paid in. Should we encourage more of that, if we are considering killing off old folks? jk

Posted by: notsothoreau at June 11, 2018 02:32 PM (JKNZq)

360 266
Ponzi schemes, how do they work?

Posted by: Retard Strength Trumps Smart Power at June 11, 2018 02:18 PM (RKQ/v)

And ahave you heard about my new crypto currency?

Bitulip?

Gonna be yuge in 2020.

Posted by: Cuthbert the Witless at June 11, 2018 02:32 PM (ymnmz)

361 Anyone who "lost" money in 2008 was someone who panicked and sold. If you left it alone or - gasp - invested more money at temporarily depressed prices, you'd have done very, very well in the last ten years.

Posted by: Index This at June 11, 2018 02:31 PM (XcgmW)

or you own lots of bank stock that wasn't Democratically connected enough to get bailed out.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at June 11, 2018 02:33 PM (yQpMk)

362 354
Anyone who "lost" money in 2008 was someone who panicked and sold. If
you left it alone or - gasp - invested more money at temporarily
depressed prices, you'd have done very, very well in the last ten years.

Posted by: Index This at June 11, 2018 02:31 PM (XcgmW)

That's only because the $10 TRILLION in bailout money given to bankers went straight into propping up those over-valued equities. That's a big part of the problem we're in today. Now they're out of gunpowder and none of those valuations have any basis in reality. Expect a minor correction of ~40% before the next presidential election.

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at June 11, 2018 02:34 PM (UBzPO)

363 Cities that dutifully collected what CALPERS said was owed as contributions are now getting the bill for the real amount owed. Why? Because those numbers are the true ones, not the 7-10% annual growth that CALPERS uses to lie about how badly off it is.

see this: https://lat.ms/2vfI1L8

Okay and now I must off *trudges*
Posted by: alexthechick - Ragebunny. Hopping all around. at June 11, 2018 02:32 PM (mf5HN)

Imposing a restriction that they have to assume annual growth of no more than the federal funds rate would kill a lot of this stupidity with public sector pensions.

Posted by: Colorado Alex In Exile at June 11, 2018 02:35 PM (Tnhbr)

364 Cruelty needs to make a comeback.

Posted by: Hikaru at June 11, 2018 02:38 PM (WDCYi)

365 Imposing a restriction that they have to assume annual growth of no more than the federal funds rate would kill a lot of this stupidity with public sector pensions.
Posted by: Colorado Alex In Exile at June 11, 2018 02:35 PM (Tnhbr)

Yep, but not gonna happen. They assume wildly unrealistic rates of return so they can claim that the pension fund is over-funded, freeing up cash for Dem politicos to throw at their favorite constituencies to buy votes.

AKA the CalPERS dipsy-doodle.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:38 PM (+CzJu)

366 Make sure you wait until you're 70 to retire kids! That way you'll help the system by not drawing money now that you were promised at gunpoint and maximize the amount of money you won't receive!
Every year you wait after 62.5 increases your benefits by 8% except they won't be there when you're 70!

Help us help you!

Posted by: Damnedyankee at June 11, 2018 02:38 PM (37IEG)

367 Yep, but not gonna happen. They assume wildly unrealistic rates of return so they can claim that the pension fund is over-funded, freeing up cash for Dem politicos to throw at their favorite constituencies to buy votes.

AKA the CalPERS dipsy-doodle.
Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, now with a spark of divinity at June 11, 2018 02:38 PM (+CzJu)

Yeah, I know.

Posted by: Colorado Alex In Exile at June 11, 2018 02:43 PM (Tnhbr)

368 Meh ... they'll just reduce the pay-outs when the money runs short and call it a day.

Posted by: ScoggDog at June 11, 2018 02:47 PM (xn335)

369 And you do know you were f*d sideways from the start if Social Security was your entire retirement plan, right?
That ain't what it was for, ever.

Posted by: Damnedyankee at June 11, 2018 02:49 PM (37IEG)

370 369 And you do know you were f*d sideways from the start if Social Security was your entire retirement plan, right?

my retirement plan was to die of cancer before 50; when i was a kid, *everything* caused cancer, so it was inescapable.

that didn't work out.

Posted by: Anachronda gets senior discounts now at June 11, 2018 02:51 PM (NmR1a)

371 That ain't what it was for, ever.
Posted by: Damnedyankee at June 11, 2018 02:49 PM (37IEG)

Used to be 11% of my gross ... now 14%.

At those rates - it damn well should be all thats needed to retire.

Posted by: ScoggDog at June 11, 2018 02:51 PM (xn335)

372 One of my Constitutional Amendment ideas:

All laws passed by Congress and either signed into law by the President or veto overridden shall have a sunset provision of no more than 20 years.

No reactivation of a sunsetting law may be recorded on the same vote as any other sunsetting law [ed. no omnibus re-activations]. A law that receives no vote after the first 30 days of the session in which it expires is stricken from the federal register within no more than 14 days and may not be voted on after the 30th day of the session.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
------
Concur wholeheartedly TJM.

Posted by: NALNAMSAM - not as lean, not as mean, still a Marine at June 11, 2018 03:19 PM (A/K7w)

373 The Gubmint, what can it not do?

Posted by: wth at June 11, 2018 03:26 PM (HgMAr)

374 Thanks for everyone's continued thoughts, prayers and support

You and yourn are in my prayers.

Posted by: JT at June 11, 2018 03:47 PM (P9RJ+)

375 In 16 years, if we are lucky, and can still walk, we'll help them burn the world down. Simple.

Posted by: goon at June 11, 2018 03:51 PM (PEcU2)

376 The farce of the Social Security "lockbox" featured prominently in Reagan's "A Time for Choosing" speech.

So, even with over 54 years of warning, government is still kicking the can down the road.

Posted by: OCBill at June 11, 2018 05:45 PM (df+Zi)

377 Is the Democrat party a wing of the Media, or are they one and the same? How would we know?

Posted by: DrDeano at June 11, 2018 05:59 PM (didR+)

Processing 0.04, elapsed 0.0497 seconds.
15 queries taking 0.0183 seconds, 386 records returned.
Page size 226 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.