The way it stands, I get the strong impression that social security benefits others at my expense.  Theft.\n\nIf social security is for my own benefit, why can't I just opt out (stop paying and sign a waiver that will prevent me from receiving public assistance if my own plans for retirement fail)?  After all, this wouldn't be a risk for anyone but myself, right?
134642
ohh don't get me started on the social security issue it pisses me off. i'm losing like a grand a year for someone else and the money won't even fuckin be there when it's my turn. there was actually a bill up for approval that would have allowed you to have your personal social security but it was rejected.
112363
can't you explain all this to your divorce judge?  that you are on medical retirement for a reason?  because you're medically unable to work, now?  you could give up your retirement, but what if you don't get it back?  you don't want to give it up just to get more sick.  i understand child support, but alimony seems a bit of a stretch.  i would consider a part time job, perhaps, to supplement income.  surely this would be okay.
120876
Call your social security office and ask them this question just to make sure you are doing everything by the book, okay? Good luck.
235689
SS helps cover different situations.  Disabilities, survivors, etc.  Depending on why you are on SS, your children may or may not be able to get money.  But any money the government paid them would not off set the child support.  You would still be obligated to pay that as well.\n\nYou can call SS to ask about them getting money, but you will still have to pay child support.
602222
It is not the job of the government to take care of your financial needs. However much I may personally sympathize with someone who cannot work, I reject the notion that the government has a legal, constitutional or moral right to put a gun to my head and take my money to give to other people.\n\nPoliticians and government don't just pull the money out of thin air. They take it from ME. What right do you have to demand I support you?
497791
It seems to me that the welfare system is not set up for people to succeed.  I was on welfare to go to college.  If I had a test and would not be able to make an appointment, they would not reschedule me.  Instead, I would have to go down the offices on a morning that I can go and wait all day until they had a cancellation so that they could fit me in.  If there were no cancellations, I would have to do the same thing on another day until they could fit me in.  If I didn't get in within a certain amount of time, my benefits were suspended.  As a full-time college student, a full-time/part-time (depending on my school schedule) employee, and a single mom, I did not have that kind of time nor could I afford to not have their help.\n\nAlso, for every dollar that I made at my job, I would lose more than a dollar in benefits.  When I'm not makin much at my job, the loss of benefits really hurt.\n\nPlus, though I was in school, I was supposed to take occupational classes.  If not, I needed all my profs to sign a sheet saying I was in their class - that I was on welfare I did not want everyone to know.\n\nI ended up graduating and getting a great job and I'm definitely paying the system.  I think that if someone is working hard to get off welfare that the system should work with them and that if someone is just abusing the system that it should be harder for them.  Just my opinion.
233252
You will do well to note that it is not a savings account where you get out of SS what you put into it.  It is more like an insurance policy, where you pay a premium that is pooled for lots of people to draw claims from.
284687
Perhaps the families in question should read the fine print before they borrow money from a "Payday Loan" type of lender. Better yet, being more responsible with your financial matters usually helps out alot. These businesses while charging way too much for their services and preying on those who are in need of quick cash, have the right to operate this way. The charges for their services are not "secret" and if cost is a concern then I would recommend asking the right questions, i.e. How much??? \n\nI am in the Army and know that it is not necessary to starve unless you  can't keep your unnecessary spending in check. As for deployments? I am inclined to ask how all the increased family separation pay, the hazardous duty pay, increased BAS and BAH and the other support benefits are not enough? \n\nShould the government help protect these poor poor souls? Yes, by strengthening our education system and releasing graduates into the world that have enough sense to find their way home at the end of the day. \n\nDo you really think that we need to be protected from our own choices? Go to payday loans....Choice. Spend responsibly and cut back when necessary....Choice. Frankly I think it is sad that you would ask for the governments help in the form of limiting freedoms and in the same breath bring up our military who if you are unaware, are charged with protecting freedom. \n\nI agree that these businesses are wrong to prey upon those in need. In fact I think their practices are unscrupulous and un-American, but their right to charge what ever they wish for THEIR product or service is theirs to cherish, appreciate or take advantage of. It's too bad that they choose to take advantage rather than to contribute, but that's life. Get your affairs in order the old fashioned way. Don't live outside your means and quit expecting someone else to pick you up when you throw yourself to the ground. I for one can more than relate to having debt issues and tight times, but I also know who is to blame and exactly who will have to pull me out when I find my self in such a place.....ME.
175036
I don't believe in forced savings. It is one more example of the government trying to save us from our own stupidity. Furthermore, I have something close to forty years before I become eligible to recieve Social Security and it look unlikely that the program will still exist in that time. The government has borrowed from that progeam, therefore us, for it to pay us back in full eventually. I don't know if I would call it a fraud, but at least a scam.
553735
My social security number! Why does everyone think they need it when the "experts" tell everyone not to share it??
109192
Receiving money from Social Security isn't a matter of pride, rather it is a matter of support.  There are quite a few people on SS funds.  I'm sure that your parents appreciate the food that you bring home from the food bank, as well.  \n\nI hope that you are seeing a therapist, or at least a doctor, in addition to receiving SS benefits.  If you are not, please look into that.  There are usually community resources that base your rates on your income.  Also, have you conseidered talking to a clergy member about your feelings about God and Jesus?
362121
Don't blame you at all for being irked! I work in child support so have come across many who are on welfare or some other type of state assistance. It's a very mixed bag which is one of the problems with the system. Some people use it the way it's meant to be...temporarily...and others take it very much for granted. So there are definitely some problems with it. My opinion, it needs to be better controlled and if people aren't willing to use it the right way they should not be entitled to it.
73623
This is more of a cynical than logical answer.  It is important if proving the invalidity of (whatever) benefits your own (whatever).
49208
You sound intelligent.  \n\nDo you really think you can just change your social security number and watch all of your trouble go away?  \n\nI don't know your situation so I can't give you much advice.  I can supply you with some of my favorite links.\n\nI am not a lawyer or credit counsoler.   I am someone who has been down this road.  Contact me if you want some advice or encouragement.
152789
The Social Security crisis is not a myth, it's an inevitability of demographics that there will be more people drawing than paying in to it in the future.  The so called trust fund has been invested in very low yielding bonds for a long time, mostly so Congress could have access to the money to hide deficits (both parties share blame equally for this).  Generally speaking the average person  would be able to get a better return on on that money in a self directed IRA, 401K plan, or buying annuities.
837
It is my understanding that SSI disability is a federal program under Social Security. Therefore there is no difference in the benefits received in different states.\n\nInstead of looking for more money, perhaps you should consider finding where it's less expensive to live on the income you have.
337017
I am for total private control. The government should give every American back every penny they put into Social Security over the years, tax free, with interest. Let them invest it themselves to be drawn on, tax free after they retire. It's called personal responsibility. Disband the whole system.\n\nThe problem with this is that the money's not there. All that's left in the "Social Security Trust Fund" is a bunch of I.O.U.'s.\n\nI started my first 401k in 1984 and, although I've rolled it over many times, it's still there.