Does anyone else wish that Social Security didn't exist?
396838
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.
340953
Yes, Stupid,Why Do You Think They Invented Social Security # For
691274
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.
359725
No, the problem is multi lateral.\n\nThe main issue is that starting in 2011, there will be more people getting benifits than those that are paying into the fund.\n\nWhy 2011?  The "Baby Boomer" generation will start to retire.    Because of the development of birth control and abortion they did not adequately reproduce themselves in order to sustain the program.  Hence our population demographics now resembles a sort of reverse pyramid... with the greater percentage of those becoming older moving to the  top.... So what happens?  It naturally falls and collapses.\n\nThe second issue is that the Social Security fund is used as a cash money 'grab bag' Not enough money in the budget for Senator Wastepennies project?  Get it out of Social Security.  The result is that there's nothing in there but a big I.O.U. and the populace is basically paying the benifits as we go along.
928144
If you were lucky enough to create a savings for your retirement great! But for many others, living day to day on a minimal benifit is terrible.They  are our great survivors of the drought, wars, depression, etc...they have given many things in our life for us to live better. The governement should at least give them a proper income raise each year that coincide with their pay raises !!!!!
2541
in my opinion social security cards have gotten out of hand you need one for everything. when it first started out it was an optional retirement program funded by your tax dollars.. and look at it now you need it to get married its messed up
984547
My social security number! Why does everyone think they need it when the "experts" tell everyone not to share it??
948196
Hello,\n\nIs this Art Bell?\n\nHey, I am sorry the CIA is not cooperating with you. It sounds like they are ignoring you ever existed.\n\nAlso, at the rate of infanticide (abortion) in America, I find it highly unlikely any one in my age range who were born in the 1970's, will ever see a dime from Social Security. BTW, why is it called social security anyway. I would rather not rely on any "Social Programs" This is what our government wants. With fewer and fewer people entering the workforce, who will be contributing to SSI? \n\nPlus, are you sure you want to rely on any "social programs".\n\nHope this helps you............................................................  :-O
417260
Sure, why not?  If you cannot perform work, then you certainly need it.  Some people abuse ssi, it seems you actually need it.
1154037
Its a damn shame. I mean if had came here legally he would have that big fat social security check to look forward to.
332674
Helps to pay taxes. Don't you know that Social Security is a tax. It never was a savings plan for old age. Why do you think it can only continue if there are a constant flow of new members. Once the monthly checks are covered, the rest goes into the general tax fund. How can we give congress the good salary & perks if we have to account for every dollar. Bookkeeping cost would be too high & people might wonder what a congressman does for a iving?
1102290
I do. I have worked hard all of my life on this Earth. I have never needed welfare or any assistance from the government to raise my child or my family for that matter. Isn't it amazing that people who don't work have refrigerators full of food that the government pays for ,i mean hundreds of dollars in food and I can only afford to fill it up not even close to full. They are lazy and I don't appreciate my precious money coming out of my check every time i get paid, taking care of these louses ,who use the money to get their hair and nails done. Lazy people absolutely disgust me and I pray that the welfare system will soon be gone and they make those people who can work, work. \n\nEven the bible says:\nII Thes 3:10:\nIf a man will not work, he shall not eat."
484526
I will guarantee that you will receive social security, because the government will not take it away (it would be bad policy, looks bad).  However, it will not be enough for any person to live on.  It is barely enough by today's standards.  So I believe it will exist, but it will be more of a nod to the elderly and the poor, but will not be any real assistance.  So I suggest to everyone invest, put money into your 401K, and try to save as much as you can.\n\nFor the guy who said he'll take care of himself. Good for you, but if I put you in a minimum wage job, lets see how well you do.  This program was instituted as a promise by our government to workers.  I find it cruel to say "oh yeah never mind should have saved".
79267
Yes. Too many people that are ripping off the government using the welfare system. Also, welfare is not a permanent solution, but is a helping hand until you get on your own two feet.
235348
I so understand your situation, in the 70's and 80's I raised 3 kids and a grandchild as a single mother and had to work 2 and 3 jobs because full time jobs were not available to women, because they would have to pay benefits so I would get 32 hours at one job 28 hours at another and then I'd wait tables  so I'd have everyday money for food, lunches, ect. the other checks I used for bills.  Unfortunatly this seems to be the same scenareo.  I am now disabled in the prime of my life due to the fact of just not having the recources to take care of my body when I should have.  This country doesn't take care of it's people and from the budget that Bush has put together this year it isn't going to happen if it passes.  Everybody wonders why so many people are on disability so young, honey thats your answer the government pushes the workers, they protect the businesses instead, giving them tax breaks for every little thing they can think of and the employees suffer not only in the short term but in the long run.  I went to college, held down 2 jobs in the process college doesn't pay the bills so I had to make a choice!  In the long run, yes I suffer every day now in chronic pain, but my kids suffered then they didn't have their mother, sure they had sitters but it didn't come close to what they should have had, and no there was no child support at all and no attorney genneral to help me get it even tho I told them where to find him and even paid out of my own pocket! So this is the kind of country we live in and I don't think it's gonna get better, just hang in and VOTE that's the only recourse we have get somebody in congress who cares about the workers, that would be different. But nothing will change if you don't VOTE.
1001561
washington takes from social security because they can. there isn't one thing that anybody can do about it . once social security disappears, then they will quit stealing from it...
953191
Only if your employer has a valid alternative. \n\nPrimary example:\nExecutive Summary\nApproximately five million state and local employees are exempt from Social Security and instead participate in retirement plans administered on the state and local levels. The history of those retirement plans provides valuable information for policymakers attempting to reform the federal program.\nhttp://www.socialsecurity.org/pubs/ssps/ssp-16es.html