O_Q45A. While you were going through this process did you have any other thoughts about Social Security that you would like to share with us now? (OPEN END)
Money for Planned parenthood and other wasteful should go to social security. also eliminate the CZAR's positions and put that money into social security. Remember Jesus is Lord. He is the Creator and sustain-er of the Universe.
Reduce the amount of benefit to wives in divorce. Eliminate all benefits to illegal immigrants. Start work camps instead of handing out money for those that never worked or are too lazy to work.
Some people already use SSA for a safety net or welfare. This is not the problem because most of these people have worked or do have disabilities. Please re-evaluate the reasons for taking SSA away from those who need it.
Add to the bill this provision, SS monies cannot be used for any other program outside of the Social Security program.
Wonder where SS would be if Congress hadn't "borrowed" from the fund in the past. This should be illegal!! Let's educate our citizens to learn to provide $ for themselves (their own retirement) -use school to learn investment strategies, etc. Make this mandatory!!!
My 1st choice would be to ELIMINATE social security and replace it with individual retirement accounts - let individuals control their own destinies.
The less time you have contributed in the less you should get, unless something happens and you cannot work. If you cannot work because of drug addiction so should not get anything
You did not examine the solution of properly managing SS. The Federal Government is amazingly inept at doing so. Social Security funds are used for far more purposes than originally intended. No need to reduce benefits or increase revenues. Just manage the funds judiciously and remove those from the roles who are obtaining benefits and should not be.
I think the percent of taxes paid should be the same for all amounts over what it is now, with higher caps to start with, that increase more gradually for more income.
Soc" Sec. Should be put on a lock box so it's not used for anything but Soc. Sec. Why did Congress pass a law to allow Pres. Johnson to use the Soc. Sec money and leave it open for other Presidentts to get into it. These money's should be put back in so they can make interest.
I think how disability is paid and what is considered "disability" needs to be reviewed. I think there is waste in none disabled individuals receiving benefits. Also if we make people less dependent on the government, that would have more people working and more paying in. Also what is the impact of illegal immigrants working and not paying in, but being able to receive certain social security benefits. Also the simple impact of them not paying in and taking the jobs of citizens that could pay into SS. These need to be addressed before cutting, changing, or adding to any part of SS.
Raise early retirement to 64. People are living longer and most are able to work longer.
A concept that has been tauted before is to allow people to opt out of Social Security and invest in their own retirement plan. That should be an option in considering any changes to Social Security.
Schools should teach money management in earlier grades and in high school. The government should not be in the business of taking care of people. They should be taught to be contributors not takers.
SS tax money paid in SS does NOT go into the SS Trust Fund!! SS taxes goes to Food Stamps or what every.
We need to take care of the elderly. It would be great if we got back to being a society of multi-family households where grandparents are helping raise grandchildren, and then children and grandchildren are there when parents/grandparents need them. But social security is very much needed to keep the elderly from falling through the cracks, and the need for it is becoming even greater as middle class incomes continue to fall and companies discontinue pension plans. I am a huge fan of taxing everyone equally, although the very poor cannot afford to be taxed at all. A graduated "flat income tax" would be ideal.
401k limits and other retirements options should be encouraged. I think if rich people want to they should support a fund to help other retirement options. For instance instead of limiting 401k to like 18000 a year be merciful and make it 30000 a year.
The Social Security Fund is in trouble because the government borrowed from it for other programs. No money from the Social Security program should ever be allowed to be used for ANY other program including Social Security Disability. The SS disability program has now become another government welfare program for those that may or may not have verifiable disabilities. I would suggest a Welfare overhaul that reduces benefits for every year a family is on welfare after two years, before touching the Social Security program working people, of any income, have paid into. It is time the government remembers they are serving the people, not taking from the people. It is funny that you can go to any National Park in our nation and see signs that say, "Do not feed the animals, as they will become dependent" and yet allow our welfare system to pay "poor" families for generations and think they won't become dependent. People are "poor," they are smart.
Raise the age from 62 to 63 for Minimum S.S. benefits.
Make members of Congress part of Social Security to stop them from stealing from it.
We must find a reasonable solution to a very unfortunate problem. All people deserve to be considered.
I did not like the Government taking SS funds and giving an IOU for those funds rather than keeping them separate. These funds should have been invested.
Stop paying people that have not contributed and should not be eligible for social security. Have a better system that would kick people off that should not be getting social security or are cheating to receive it. Stop taking money out of social security for other "projects" and find someone that is smart enough to actually increase the fund by smart investing.
It won't work because the government is not the most efficient insurance or savings place.
Have the idiot politicians in Washington D.C. quit taking money out of SS and return everything that they removed. Do NOT allow illegal immigrants (yes, I said it) earn ANY SS. As NON-citizens they have NO rights to ANY benefits that citizens have paid for over their lives. SS is for each person based on what they earned and they should not be deprived of these benefits just so politicians can try and solidfy their voting base.
Regardless of a persons wealth, if they paid the tax, they deserve the benefit. cut the pork! There is so much waste on ridiculous studies that benefit no one.
The welfare of an individual is, properly, the responsibility of the individual. Government is creating a greater problem for the people by inhibiting the ability of the individual to be responsible. Any model where participation is mandatory is a setup for failure. Abuse is takes place when forced coercion (also when there is no punishment for abuse) is used to support a program/company (. The individual should have the freedom to choose where their earnings go to prepare for the future. By attempting to remove the responsibility from the individual, the individual is tempted to submit to being made a subject/slave rather than a free citizen. This is not in the best interest of the individual...
The age should increase now to 65, then to 66 in 2019, 67 in 2023, 68 in 2028, 69 in 2036, 70 in 2043. It should increase at a slower rate as the population ages. It is not realistic to expect people to work until the age of 70 any time in the next decade unless the job market changes and healthcare advances allow people to work longer. The increase will have to consider scientific advances as well as hireability. I don't think there is a cookie cutter approach since these factors cannot yet be determined. We may live longer but not be able to perform work proportionately longer. The types of jobs and technology will continue to change independent of aging. Spending needs to be monitored more closely. Continuing to increase spending and the deficit is poor business.
Social Security taxes should be earmarked for SS benefits not Welfare programs.
I would love to see policies to increase education programs to encourage people to prepare better privately for retirement. It would be so much better if so many people were not dependent on government support as they age.
I think that the people making these decisions should also have to be affected by their decisions. For someone to make decisions that don't affect them is a bad way to do things. Having a separate retirement account instead of Social Security is not morally right.
The concept of the wealthy as over $65,000 annual salary is ridiculous considering the cost of large expenditures is 100-1000% of that amount, i.e. house, car, etc. The wage earners should be reevaluated into more realistic categories. Those who do more physical labor or have riskier jobs, such as salesmen or small business owners should have a different pathway than those who work in union jobs, less labor intensive jobs and work in industries that are steady and highly supported economically.
why has it taken 50 years to see that social securiy taxes should be taken out of ALL wages jus not the first 117000. why have we not invested these funds since inception instead of spending them for other things where is Al Gore's Lock Box
I think people who make more money should still pay social security ,and not be capped at 117,000
Question came up to the truth of how SS has been financially managed in the sense as factors like inflation, higher age of living, etc. Were dividends made to assist these factors, etc.?
eliminate social security payments for people with retirement incomes of of $500,000 or more. And admit, finally, that social security indeed is not in fact insurance.
They need to stop other funding (grants) & pay back what they took. Leave Social Security alone. People have been paying on it for years. It belongs to them.....
This was an excellent survey, presented options in a very clear manor.
Stop giving any SS benefits to Illegals.
Another reason we have a shortfall is because money was taken from the fund a long time ago, the government should pay that back. Maybe by seizing some assets from the people responsible for taking it. Also, the payroll tax taken on income over the cap should happen, but at a lower rate. Also, if we did make the path to citizenship faster, we could collect payroll taxes on new citizens too.
I have heard that a large amount of Social Security reserves was transferred to the General Fund and spent on things other than retirement benefits to the elderly through the SSA. I would like to see those funds summarily returned to the Social Security Trust Fund and left alone. Another alternative I would propose it to give the public the option of managing their own Social Security accounts (or a portion thereof) through a licensed firm (accounting, for example), not unlike an IRA, but with no withdrawal privileges until retirement age, and forfeitable upon death to the SS Trust Fund. The government does not need to be able to get their hands on the money contributed by private citizens and corporations for this specific purpose.
If the government had not used social security as their personal '"piggy bank" we would not be in this situation. The system would have had more than enough money to fund itself if it had been left alone. Government created this problem and now they want to raise taxes or cut benefits to fix it.
STOP giving it to people that didn't pay in (or their spouses). The problem is people that don't DESERVE Social Security are getting it (including people illegally in the country). Social Seciurity was created to give back to the people that put into it. THAT should be the only people that receive it (or if you are/have been medically unable to work).
Change the definition of income to include carry interest and other types of "capital gains" that are actually income and not from long term investments.
Spilt the payroll tax increase, leave the employer matching at 6.2% but do a graduated scale for the employee portion. for 117K and below leave it alone say 6.25 from 117k to 250k then 6.3 from 250k to 500k and so forth. you remove the cap and increase it for those who have the means. Also with the cap removed lower the benefit percentage for the new top 10 of earners. Also consider Capital Gains. and 1% to capital gains tax to go to social security trust fund
Have policymakers (Congress) go on record about their votes
There might be a "shortfall" that we need to figure out and solve, but we can't turn our backs and forget about the people alive right now that are not being taken care of. Those elderly people living in poverty right now. We need to fix both in an equal manner that will benefit all involved as fairly and humanely as possible.
Why only raise the cap $215,000. Perhaps not tax all income, but raise the limit to $300,000.
I truly believe that there should be no cap on wage contributions - make more pay more. Our eligible seniors who worked their 30 year should truly be able to call social security a benefit - not a supplement -
It is NOT a government benefit. It is returning money taken from taxpayers' paychecks, assuming they would not be wise enough to plan for their own retirements. The government has stolen the SS trust funds to use for other purposes.
They keep dipping into Social Security with disabilities that weren't happening several years ago. Think there are some fraud going on there.
Use some money that we would normally give to some foreign nations. Americans who pay taxes come before nations who do not contribute to our economy.
need to better educate and be more honest with American people about the impending shortfalls. Re-evaluate the original intent of the Social Security Program. It should not be used as an extension of our progressive income tax system to facilitate equal life styles in retirement. Get the politics of class warfare from the reform process debate.
Better manage social sucurity funds find way to make money with social security taxes
Self-employed workers should only pay the social security tax once and not be required to pay the employee and employer portion.
I have to supplement my benefits with periodic withdrawals from the remaining savings that I have. I don't know if the people who are calculating the current COLA have ever stepped into a supermarket, looked at their utility bills, or been aware of their municipal services charges in the last 10 to 15 years, because they seem to be completely out-of-touch with reality.
I think Social Security is a right for those who pay into it. It should be available and sufficient and cover the cost of living for older Americans.
I'm 56 and I'm getting nervous. I haven't saved nearly enough.
I loathe the whole idea of social security and the "Nanny State". Social Security should be voluntary.
I am not one for raising taxes, but the cap on income for social security tax should be taken away.
Don't pay SS to anyone who has not paid into it
Yes Ssdi....those disabled should recieve free medicare and pay no premium and recieve higher benifits as THIER cost of living is higher in many cases due to the disability
Social Security was never intended to be the sole income source for retirement. I am 62 and retired, and during my working years I saved and planned ahead. I can live as I always have, on what I saved myself.
What are possible scenarios for reducing the shortfall that would result from immigration reform?
If the government had not borrowed from the SS fund or if it would repay what was borrowed there would not be this problem. Removing the cap is the best idea to start fixing the shortfall, and it should have been done years ago!
I know this country is in debt and that our own government borrowed from SS and not paid it back. I think that it is sad that because of greed in Washington and not fulfilling promises so many of our elderly go without. I know many who can not buy meds and food in the same month and that is unacceptable in this great land.
Top 1 percenters should pay SS for all their income
Does the government dip into the social security funds, for other needs not associated to the design of the social security purpose?
reduced benefit for retirees with post-retirement incomes above 200,000 per household
I do not like that the current payers finance the current payout. Why not treat it like insurance companies do with a trust. Feel like congress is unable to deel with the situation as it is now.
Social Security is very important to the middle-class people.
Consider that many responders might already be getting closer to end of life and won't be around in 20 years to see the effects.
Social security employees should offer options and explain them better to the public. The information on the social security website makes it difficult for many people to fully understand options and subsequent benefits.
Raise the minimum age from 62 to 65 over the next 30 years.
Some people are forced to take an early Social Security and them not be able to change it when they reach the retirement age. I would like to see some change in this. The extra monies could go a long way to keeping them out of poverty
I don't believe people over 80 need to have increased SS. They tend to spend less after 80 because of less travel and having a harder time just getting around.
The theories presented for solving the short fall problem are good, however I don't agree with the dollar amounts. We need to change, but I would prefer a longer time frame to have them go into effect.
Hold back all congressmen's paychecks until they tackle this problem. They have avoided this far to long!
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS SHOULD BE INCOME TAX FREE FROM BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES
Make it like the HSA where you contribute to your own retirement, not the retirement of others.
Do not give social security to illegal immigrants, do not give social security to people who have never worked or paid into the system. Disabled people who have never worked should not get social security. Let their family take care of them.Do not give spouses higher social security just because their spouse eared more.
people who don't pay in should not receive SS pmts other then married couples - spouse receiving a portion of working spouse benefits
I realize none of us want to increase what is taken out of our checks, but we must do something. Social Security was never intended to be a retirement plan, but we cannot afford to just let people go hungry or without care as they get older, not matter how dumb they were for not planning for the future properly.
COLA increases should be based on increased taxes (all), increases in charges for electricity, water and gas and increases in increases in grocery and gasoline prices.
There are just about no completely satisfying responses to this dilemma!!!!
quit giving benefits of any kind to people who never pay any taxes of any kind into the US economy... should have to be earned
You also need to look at the people offered social security, such as, illegal aliens receiving benefits and not paying in anything. If you would cut abuse and fraud, that would probably save about 10% of the shortfall.
Congress needs to find a way to pay back the money it has taken from Social Security over the years. Their actions are the root cause of the SS problems we have today and the fear of the SS system needing more money. Congress needs to get realistic and stop adding funding amendments to bills that are totally unrelated to the bill itself.
law makers should not be exempt from social security, they should have to abide by the same laws as everyone else. Lawmakers should not earn their fixed salaries for life, but only while they are in office.
I would rather freeze social security altogether and remove any further government role in providing a mandatory retirement plan. Pay out what was promised, but don't let anymore people join or pay into the system.
We in our 50's and 60's have known for a long time that there will probably be no return on our Social Security investment. We as a generation are spending less, saving more, and talking to each other about this preparation. Let's start educating those most at risk of not realizing the coming danger-- those with language barriers, new or nonnative citizens, and the economically disadvantaged who may think they can't do anything about it--about their desparate need to prepare, save (We did it from below the poverty line; it's possible) and to form connections with family, churches, and others who can be their network as they age. Let's teach families to take more responsibility for their elderly. Let's encourage nonprofits.
Back when Social Security was first started there was nobody on it. Then the wars that we have been in was funded partly by Social Security and they said they said they paid it back but did they? If the people who work for the govt. would quit stealing the money then it would be solvent today. Disability would be solvent if the doctors would quit putting people on it that doesn't deserve it.
I think that Congress needs to give up their benefits and quit robbing the American people. I also think that if my husband could have had the money that he paid into the government that he would have invested it and made us much more than the inept government. I have little faith in our elected officials and no faith in the government in investing money. Look at how we got to this mess by mixing the social security monies to balance the budget.
Since I pay what I consider to be my money in ...I do not feel like I should be threaten of the possibility of no funds being available when I reach retirement. My funds should be my funds.
Put all the money back into the Social Security fund that was taken out to fund wars. Over 1 trillion dollars. That would put it back in the black and cover the shortfall for several years.
The capital gains and other "non-wage" income of the top earning citizens should contribute to the Social Security fund. So much is just paper profits now, that it should be included for the top 10% of income earners, at least.
Why do we have to pay income tax on Social Security benefits? Eliminate this tax would give people more, not less of their SS benefit.
The statements about people living longer is accurate, however, I'm seeing more people not being able to work because of disease (diabetes, heart disease, etc). I was curious is that was figured into any of this.
Eliminate SSI altogether and let people have their own IRA instead of SSI. They would have a better income
Do not raise the full retirement age. Not everyone is in good health and can continue to work. Everyone needs to pay SS taxes on all their earnings and should benefit. The option not mentioned was for the government to STOP borrowing from Social Security. If the government can't function without borrowing from Social Security, then the government needs to cut expenses someplace else.
I think Medicare should be free at least for those who are low income and/or completely dependent upon Social Security.
yes, one shortfall that was not mentioned is that other gov. agencies can and do take money from social security and us it in other areas. This needs to stop. this would help improve any shortfalls.
I believe we need to take a hard look at people receiving full disability benefits because of drug and alcohol use and abuse. They receive more benefits than someone that has been a responsible employee and citizen and deserves to be able to retire and feel comfortable doing so. I believe we could solve a lot of the shortfall by making some major adjustments in this area.
I believe that the Social Security Payroll Taxes should be managed in a way similar to the California Public Employee's Retirement System. This would mean that funds will be invested like pension funds and NOT be a line expense on the taxpayer. Even if the return on investments was only 1% above administrative cost it would be a PLUS, (Income), to the fund where there is NO True Return on the funds collected now. The U.S. Government should not be like GM where social security is a operating expense without any opportunity for income or returns. Running Social Security like CalPERS would lock up the funds away from spending on other things and would also help the economy. CalPERS a year or so ago saw a 22% return on the investments even during this poor economy. Social Security should NOT be totally Taxpayer funded. Yes the Taxpayers would be ultimately responsible for the benefits just like the State of California is with CalPERS but that would be only if the Fund went broke or bankrupt. Without a doubt CalPERS is the most successful Retirement System in the nation if not the world and has served the public employees well. There should be bi-partisan agreement because the Democrats heavily support CalPERS in California and the Republicans should want the income and tax savings in such a program. Thank You!
Simply do away with the program and let people invest for there own future.
Raising the age of retirement seems viable except that many people would not be able to find jobs. There is a large bias against older people and they are often pushed out for younger workers. If you want to raise the minimum wage, you need to come up with some requirement that companies have a certain percentage of workers over 65.
Consider revenues from the general fund.
I would like to see elimination of all caps of upper limit contributions to the Social Security Fund. If the age at which receiving benefits is ever raised again, the type of jobs in which the worker is engaged should be considered. There is a huge difference in a 70 or 72 years old working as a secretary in an air conditioned office and the same person working as a sanitation man or sewer worker.
My preference is to increase the earnings cap from 117,000 to unlimited.
As a group, people age 65+ are the wealthiest age group. Giving social security income increases based solely on becoming a certain age (80) doesn't make a whole lot of sense. All people 80+ aren't equally needy!
Every year the cost of goods, health ins. and living in general goes up. How are SSA Recipients without COLA supposed to manage each year the cost of living goes up Especially those who earn less than others?
Give benefits only to those who have worked for them. Stop giving SS to refugees coming to this country who have never contributed. e.g. southeast Asian refugees, Illegals whether they are granted immunity or not.
If we decide not to cap payroll subject to SS tax, then we should also decide not to cap the SS benefit.
-Return income tax (collected on social security income) to the social security fund. -When I went to the social security office to apply for social security, the room was full. I was the only person there who was over the age of 50? 55? (I was 70). I don't hear anything about decreasing the deficit by using Social Security only for older people. Am I mistaken in believing that many groups (disabled, etc) are receiving money from this fund?
Get rid of social security altogether. Create a personal retirement fund and you only get out what you personally put into it. When it runs out you're out of money. People need to plan for retirement or their families need to take care of them in their old age. It's not the government's job to plan for an individual's retirement. Social security is given to more than just the retiree. Stop payments to widows, widowers, and children under 65. They didn't earn that benefit.
As we change policy we need to change attitudes about what Social Security is and is for, being reminded it is meant to keep US out of poverty when WE are elderly. At the same time we need to work together to solve the problem for other streams of retirement income.
I've been told that illegal immigrant over a certain age when they come to this country are able to receive Social Security benefits. The person I talked to said that her mother come over when she was 65 and was able to start collecting. How can someone collect Social Security benefits when they put nothing into it. I believe that if we cut back on what the US gives to illegal immigrants then they would be able to cover the shortfalls in Social Security benefits for those US citizens that have worked in their country for years and deserve the benefits that they have paid into.
I strongly believe that those workers who earn significantly more than the mean salary/income should not receive ANY S.S. upon retirement. Period!
The richest of us get most of their income from capital gains, dividends and interest. As far as I know neither is subject to SS taxes. 50 years ago the highest tax rate was 90%. Increasing taxes on the very rich and using that for SS would not affect their lifestyle and would increase their income as that money would be spent by SS recipients and generate increased dividends.
Yes--elimination of the FICA cap is essential, and I would add some means testing for those with more than one pension, especially govt pensions.
SS tax should be on all sources of income including capital gains.
Perhaps looking at the younger population drawing social security for "disability" reasons. Maybe stricter qualifications for benefits.
The average person is too uneducated or stupid to realize they are bankrupting america. The real answer should be wind down the program. The same with wel-fare. In exchange the government should lower medical costs by forcing Europe to pay the actual cost of their health care so thereby America can stop subsidizing the world. Europe is just a leach on America as is South East Asia.
I believe the main problem is the mismanagement of our funds in general. The waste in government spending overall.
I'm 63 (64 next month); after 2013, I was, as I call it, forcibly evicted from the workforce. My monthly benefit lasts about a week, typically, after paying my monthly expenses. It's not working for me.
No senior should have to live in poverty. Even when you save, you earn no interest on your savings which discourages people from saving.
Reduce the internal expenses with managing SS. I suspect there is much fat in that system.
I would like to see an end to social security. It would be ideal for those of us that have paid into it, to get out what we were promised, but no one should pay into it anymore, thus, ending social security altogether.
Allow people to elect to forfeit Their benefits.
Have the government payback all the money they took from Social Security to fund other things like war.
None-the arguments were fair and balance. There is nothing I can add.
Not require employers to increase their portion of SS tax.
Eliminate benefits for children who have parents who are in prison. people use this to make money. Put a small tariff on goods imported from countries that have taken American jobs away. Nobody needs pennies. Round up to a nickel and put that into the system. Increase the tobacco tax by 5 cents or more, to hell with those smokers. Increase the gas tax by a penny.
Reduce benefits to those who have not worked a minimum period in the US. Giving benefits to people who have not paid into the system is counter-productive.
A spouse working at no salary for over 20 years should be able to collect on the business owner's (spouse) SS rate regardless of marital status. Re-marriage does not negate the 20 years of contribution to the business.
Set up individual accounts that stay with the person, not using the young workers to pay for the elderly.
This problem is old news and fixing it would have been old news if it had been a priority. Instead our money has gone to other things.
I think the amount of SS payroll taxes really should be tied to how much a person makes. for instance an annual income of less than $25.000 would have a PR tax of 5 % and gradually increase to 10% at $250.000 +, 15% at $400.000+
As long as all decreases in benefits and increases in rates paid in only effect those not currently receiving SS then it is fair.
What happens to those of us who put into it for 20+ years but now work in the field of teaching?
This only covered the SSA retirement benefits what about the SSI disability benefits
The cost of living for retired people keeps going up, especially as Baby Boomers get Alzheimer's and other diseases of age. We must take this into account and plan for their care, not let more elderly slip into abject poverty and the inability to get care.
SSA should be abolished and replaced with a privately funded system. It's not the government's job to carry us into old age. That is up to the individual. SSA must end.
This survey assumed that payroll tax is matched by the corporation even if no cap was selected. Don't agree that this should be the case. The American Corporations are being taxed to death. We need the Job here in America. Social Security expense should primarily lie on the employer. Allow Free Enterprise to reign and not Government Controlled Enterprise.
the lower income workers have the hard labor so the lower income workers should receive the higher cost of living increases and the cost of living increases should never be stopped but should continue to rise!
Who do I call and make sure that congress makes the necessary changes to keep SS solvent?
If the government didn't Rob it in the first place we would not be talking about it at all !
Right now both myself and my mother are unable to survive do to the current rate SSI is going. She had to retire early due to medical reasons. I am disabled due to medical problems. Yet we still need to go to Foodbanks each week to survive. That is sad when the food banks were only supposed to help out a little, but now too many of us HAVE to go to them!!!
All Americans should contribute to social security...even the Senators..and they should also have to pick and pay for their own medical plans..why are they exempt?
do not take medical medi-care insurance out of benefits. these costs I thought we had also paid for out of our payroll taxes..... if necessary raise those taxes as well.... we can pay for it better when we are working than we can when we retire.... just a thought
it's a scary topic for someone my age (29) - it's definitely interesting to see how many pieces there are to this puzzle but what I enjoyed most, was seeing that there are MULTIPLE ways to make it better!
Higher payments as soon as possible to all earners 125% of the poverty line and under. How can we get THERE?
Social Security should not be a penalty for success in a persons work life. Small businesses must not be penalized for hiring employees. Jobs will be lost with any continuing increase of deductions. Benefits only for those who contributed.
Eliminate Social Security payments for any and all reasons other than retirement from work at the specified ages.
We help people that come to the United States and have never worked in the United States and yet can get benefits. Money, health,cars, homes and other things. If we would only give SS month to people that have worked here and if someone wants to come to the United States, they need to be able to take care of themselves. Stop giving our hard earn money away/
The wealthy need to pay their fair share. Also, we need to tax for SSI capitol gains and hedge fund earnings.
I think we should stop spending social security money on expenses other than social security!
Those who make the least often do not have the options to save more for their old age, especially if they want to send their children to schools that will increase their chances for a better life. Those low paying jobs also may not have retirement plans that supplement Social Security. Also as people age they are often let go without a chance to get another job. So if they rely on Social Security as a nearly fixed income, yet inflation drives their living costs up, up, up, what are they to do? It is NOT a welfare program to pay into a system that just about guarantees a person will starve at the end of their lives! Sad that our country can't resolve this issue in some way to let all of our elders live in dignity.
Everyone that has paid into the system should be entitle to the benefits of the Social Security system. I would agree to higher ss taxes, if their was an offset from federal income taxes. additionally, those that have been administering the Social Security system need to be fired. The system would not have any shortfall it it was not for those idiots that used the system to finance and supplement the revenue general funds, as well as poor investments made to Wall Street
I have always thought the cap should be removed.
The rules should be the same for public (government) and private workers. I am not sure they are.
I am on SSDI now, and the 2016 policy of no COLA increase due to gas prices going down is ridiculous. Many seniors (such as myself) were negatively impacted, as I don't drive anymore and I don't buy gasoline, so I could have used a COLA increase.
I believe there must be some way to take into account where people live. The cost of living is so much higher in places like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, etc.
It should be illegal for congress to borrow SS monies without solid , concrete plans for repayment WITH interest .
The shortfall is the result of Congress looting the fund for decades. How about putting a stop to that?
Am not sure if Social security is paid to ALL individuals irrespective of whether they ar US Citizens or not. SSI and SSA should be based on the number of years you live in the USA not just the age.
Social Security is called "the social safety net" for a REASON! Asking people to take the brunt of cuts, people who've paid into their social insurance program ALL their working lives, while at the SAME time providing continual exemptions to CORPORATIONS and allowing them to PAY NOTHING is down right CRIMINAL! There would BE no "shortfall" if certain groups in power weren't raiding the fund for their own purposes while simultaneously giving the .5-1% of the wealthiest in the nation breaks to pass the burden along to the poor! Make those who've benefited from all this country offers PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE TOO, and most of these proposals won't be needed!
Raising the eligibility age is the most important piece. It's so far out of sync with life expectancy back when Social Security was initiated.
A well planned healthcare system would eliminate the need for seniors to pay 50% of their benefits in medical expenses. If we work on making sure everyone is taken care of both in income and in health, a bit higher taxes won't bother most.
Just get rid of the whole system. With a lower tax rate, people will be able to save more for themselves and provide for their own income during unemployment, retirement and disability. Disabled people who are unable to work can seek aid from non-governmental philanthropists.
I have come to understand that SS is not necessarily an "account" that I pay into and must get back. i endorse the idea that all workers pay into the SS but that those at the top for whom SS is inconsequential should not receive benefits.
So often the American peoplehear that our social security funds are spent on people that have not even paid into the fund. If this is not true a statement should be conveyed to clear this up. Without it the people aren't going to be happy about any increase.
Eliminate the cap on earnings. That is ridiculous!
I learned some things. I feel we must continue to allow people to receive SS benefits because too many of the elderly have nothing else. I wish you had included more info about the incredible number who live below the poverty line. People don't understand how important this issue is.
Being in my late 60's I know that I do not have the energy or capacity to work as hard as I used to. And try finding a job at this age - especially one that pays well. Making people wait longer to collect Social Security is a mistake.
Does the govt invest the funds in the system or do they just sit there? I hear pundits say that the govt borrows from soc security for other things. As a high income earner my soc security benefit is reduced already. You don't say anything about this in your simulation. Very mis-leading since high income earners are already having benefit reduced.
My first idea was no limit on wages but no change in age to retire. People are staying in school longer which cuts into their work years and earnings unless they have mega degrees & get the big salaries. OR no limit and change retirement date to later. Then what about the low wage earners? Will these workers have to work forever? What to do? Tax the very rich.
Congress should not use our funds for other funding of the war, etc. , just because the funds are there, they should be invested to increase funding and keep it going.
The weaker and frail need to be protected.
It's a system based on trust, faith and not necessarily "fairness" so it's important to educate people, give ample notice and phase in so people new to employment and social security have a new appreciation of the system, and those who have been contributing for years aren't blindsided. Like a legal principle of passing a new law and retroactively finding someone guilty, we ought not start changing the rules across the board. Phasing in helps, and so does saying there's a graded transition for applying the changes based on years worked, or years of retirement. Fairness isn't an absolute.
We should privatize it. Let people invest their own money.
The government should pay back what was "borrowed" in the recent past, with interest and penalties.
The government needs to stop borrowing from SS.
I am 61 years old and I am horrified and afraid of what I am in for when I retire. I have been self employed for 40 years and I really don't think I will ever b able to actually retire. I have struggled for 40 years to pay my taxes and now I will never see those benefits. Those who make more money SHOULD PAY MORE TAXES. Why not?
Stop outsourcing job to other countries. Create job in this country. Bring back the Blue colar worker.
Pollicy makers need to also weigh the cost of retiree's needing goverment assistance and how much that costs against the added benefits.
Why is it that a high school graduate with a glass of wine is able to do what our government has failed to do? A couple of the choices were uncomfortable compromises, however these decisions mathematically accomplished the goal.
There are legal ways to make a living outside the social security system. These methods contribute greatly to society. I think expanding qualifiers for inflow and outflow could create a path to a better balance.
My consternation on this subject is that the people who make the decisions are our elected leaders. When the day comes that the do not give themselves a pay raise then they can tell us that there is no social security pay increase. They protect themselves at our expense. There should never be a year when we do not get a small increase in benefits that we worked a lifetime to get.
Social Security Trust Fund should be SEPARATE, not intermingled with other funds
I am not sure if increasing retirement age is fair. Some are a lot healthier than others. It depends on the person. Also, some businesses are less likely to want to hire someone that old and train them when they may retire soon and may not be the healthiest. Not really fair for force them to work longer. Some (like me)started working as teenagers, not fair to increase my retirement age.
The FUNDAMENTAL problem is Congress spent the annual excess revenue. Demographics brought the crisis sooner. Invest any excess FICA revenue via a National Investment Trust . Put any increases of FICA taxes there too.
My favored solution for dealing with the Social Security shortfall is to simply eliminate any disbursement of funds to individuals who have a monetary net worth (money in the bank, retirement annuities, etc.) that exceeds 200% of the maximum disbursement of Social Security. If they are taken care of by any other means (e.g., retirement, savings, etc.), then the government should not send out a payment. If things change, then the payment can be sent out based upon what was put into it. It should be seen as something provided only if the need merits rather than a form of retirement.
Reduce benefits for retirees living (and spending ) out of the country.
Social Security is a poory-managed Ponzi scheme I was born into without any representation. All funds need to be returned to all victims at current losses before it gets worse. A seasick monkey could manage their own retirement funds better than the government ever did. It's just another excuse to form another giant administration to mismanage my money.
This budget has to be balanced, but there are no easy solutions. Although there are areas of government spending that I believe should be cut a bit, I prefer that this program is self-sustaining. I can see unintended consequences for every decision I made or did not make.
I question the premise that the shortfall will be as projected in 2034. There are a significant number of credible economists who challenge that number as being too high. In addition, these long term projections have a miserable accuracy record. The undeniable fact is that the cap on earnings needs to be raised significantly or eliminated entirely. Thanks the opportunity to comment.
I am already on it and just recently both my husband and I saw our amounts go down and we don't know why.
the cap should be eliminated completely. investment income > $50k could be taxed with social security if you make over XXX per year, perhaps some type of sliding scale? investment income as the primary source for the very rich should not eliminate their paying social security on that. and yes, investors take risk, so if we have them pay more, let them write off losses more.
That there is no cost of living by location variance is a major flaw in Social Security. Making $117,000 a year in some locations still requires both parents to be working; that a lower-middle income family in one location is taxed like as if they had an upper-middle class life-style is a joke. Social Security at a national level should be scrapped. The issue of retirement should be left to the individual states.
instead of colas coming from SS funds those raises could come from lowering tax rate on ss benefits 1% a year from 85% to 80% . At least saving some funds for 5 yrs.
If the government would have handled the social security system correctly over the years we would not be in this situation. They have used our funds to spend on other issues. It is very frustrating for us who have paid into this program all these years and now it is in jeopardy!!!!!
I am thinking that people on Social Security, shouldn't lose their increase to medicare increases. Seems like the seniors I know get an increase in their social security and then their medicare costs go up + some
Every time I get an increase my rent goes up....and I back at square one. I'm in below market housing but I never get ahead.
I, just like millions of Americans are solely relying on SSI upon retirement. I, just like millions of Americans don't make enough to invest or have a separate retirement fund.
People work to put into SS. I think cuts should be made in other areas to help balance the shortfall of SS caused by the government misusing the funds originally paid into SS. If the funds paid into SS had been left alone and handled correctly to begin with we would not be in a problem
None Just that It benefits you in the near future
Since the President, Senators, and Reps earn lifetime wages, they don't need SS. Also there are so many unemployed people who get government benefits, including SS and Medi-Care, which is very unfair
We paid into Social Security,so we are entitled to get out benefits.
I think it should be easier for workers to qualify for Social Security Disability. So many people are mentally and/or physically unable to work, but they do not fit into the government's mold and therefore are deemed able to work. They have paid into this fund for years, then when they need it, they are denied.
Stop including so many groups under Social Security - disabled, children of disabled, etc. Do a better job of monitoring people collecting disability when they could be working at something. Stop sending checks to dead people for years. Make government workers part of Social Security,,
S.S. would be solvent if other agencies and departments were not able to pilfer from it. Cola has been so altered towards not showing any inflation whatsoever that it will only show inflation in a major event.
Currently teachers are NOT able to draw Social Security and a pension even if they have paid into it with work outside of teaching. I believe other workers with a good pension could also be treated this way. Maybe a pension level that would eliminate the ability to draw on their S.S. earnings or possibly link S.S. with income tax returns for those that are wealthy.
for many people, SS is the only form of retirement, so we need to preserve the SS system...
We have a welfare system that is capable of helping the elderly.. We just have to stop giving out food stamps to men/women who who have no dependent and do more in house checks for fraudulent cases and put a stop to people selling their EBT cards
I would like to verify exactly where the current 100% of Social Security Funds are being used because I've heard of a portion of these funds being used elsewhere in the Government?
These people like us all have paid into social security and as taxes goes up and our dollar value goes down. These people need the money that would be able to make them comfortable living but not over paying them at the same time. They deserve to being to live as well off as anyone else that is working today to provide for there family.
definitely feel higher earners should get less benefits if they are to receive pensions, 401k's, or are members of the "elite" or especially government workers as they get more money during their working years to begin with and should be forced to save and plan for retirement like average citizens do
I also think ssi supplemental security income should have yearly raises because things are getting more and more expensive and it's leaving people into deep poverty just aswell as retirement I think people pay way more into retirement than what they receive monthly
You cannot live on social security alone
Over the past 30 years our elected Presidents have chosen to rape the Social Security Fund by tapping in to this money. The Government took the money putting us in this situation. The money taken should be replaced. If we can send billions overseas then the money should be paid back.
I agree that people can work longer if --a big "IF"-- employers continue to hire and/or keep employing "older workers". I think there is a lot of age discrimination when it comes to our workforce.
HAVE A BETTER MONITORING SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY ABUSERS OF SS
absolutely everyone should pay the same tax rate! Seniors or retired will have to settle for less or more...they should have purchasd a home and only needed a retirement check to buy food, vacation, and im ediate household bills!
Make certain that ALL American wage earners (including the House and Senate), are required to participate in Social Security. No exemptions for politicians holding office in our government.
Not penalizing spotty work records in last 10 years, this is when health problems surface. Just average the whole record so failing health victims still gets some disability.
Perhaps Congress can eliminate there pay raises. That might help a great deal. The cpi didn't go up, but their salaries did.
It's a shame that people work hard their whole lives, not earning a large salary. They contributed to the SS only to have to live at poverty level in their senior years. They put that money in thinking that would help them live, not barely able to survive.
I never understood why there was a cap for the amount people put into the system. I also never understood why, if we are to help the elderly, their benefit would not keep them above the poverty level.
A current evaluation of my benefits to determine if they need adjustment.
During the baby-boomers' working lives, the government "borrowed" money from the then Social Security "surplus". They have never paid it back and now we need it. The "shortfall" is the result of Congress "cooking the books" for too many years. Maybe we should just "borrow" our money back from Congress's retirement programs and see how they like it.
One of the facts presented is that the working population is decreasing, resulting in less tax revenue for social security, yet U.S. Population steadily increases. I am not convinced that reduce work force numbers contribute to this problem. I believe that lower wages and less secure pension options are the real problem. IRA's and 401k's aren't working for Americas retirement needs.
Yes, lowering taxes will generate more business which will generate more revenue. Lowering corporate taxes will bring more corporatations to do business in America which will generate more revenue. We need pro business policies to increase revenues.
The problem with SS is that it is based on having new workers contributing to the system as old workers start drawing benefits. Since we not replacing retirees with new contributors in equal numbers, the system will continue to have financial problems regardless of some changes in benefits and revenues.
We can take care of everyone without an issue if we limit defense spending and shut down our bases around the world.
UNDO THE WINDFALL ACT AND THE GOVERNMENT PENSION OFFSET. IT IS UNFAIR TO WORKERS THAT HAVE HAD FULL CAREERS IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR. I HAD 30 YEARS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND 22 YEARS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. I CAN ONLY COLLECT ABOUT 50% OF MY SOCIAL SECURITY AND MY PENSION IS NOT THAT BIG BECAUSE EARNINGS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR ARE UNDER MARKET AS A RULE.
raise the retirement age faster because the original program was based on retirement at 65 but the average life expectancy was much lower than it is now. We do need to keep our promise to help those seniors who depend on SS for their living.
The program is incredibly important and needs to be saved. Top earners can usually do without benefits because they have considerable savings and resources. The lowest earners do not and are usually dependent on the program.
Perhaps offering an incentive to the wealthy to opt out if receiving benefits if they don't need it and offering them the ability to donate their funds for a percentage tax break or other incentive.
In general, the tax code needs to be simplified -- it's way too complicated. I'm in favor of a flat tax approach for all income earned with much fewer deductions. However, I would support making retirement accounts non-taxable to encourage people to save for retirement.
the Government has a Ponzi scheme by taking money from one account to another in order to balance it and in the end eventually both accounts go bankrupt!
We can't have the elderly eating cat food. Social Security is essential because too many people are incapable of saving for their retirements without it.
Stop the government from using the funds for anything but paying Social Security benefits and replace the funds already taken. Reduce the pat of worthless politicians if needed.
as taxes go up one would hope wages increase also. as a baby boomer I had to work for what I now have. younger generations should do the same.
I believe there should be a minimum amount payable in social security pension at retirement age even if someone doesn't reach the required minimum age or amount paid in their deducted taxes since this would leave many of the elderly far below the poverty level thus making them more of a burden on society since the government would need to provide other ways to care for them if they have no family members to provide some form of care for them.
I truly don't understand why we let government take our money for SS and give us such a poor return...we should be able to keep our 6.2% and invest it as we might and give up any or a majority of our current benefits. We continue to give up liberty to our government and then expect less and less of ourselves and our citizens. BAD!
I am very concerned about the future of Social Security. All the options are not good for regular people. I worked for a corporation for 26 years and was laid off. Two years later I have a job that pays half the salary I earned. Employers do not, for the most part, want to hire older employees. In addition, most people I know because they're working long hours, are not healthy. Increasing the retirement age may not be possible for many.
The SS money held by the federal government from payroll taxes should be kept separate in the treasury. Congress should not be able to borrow against it or spend it.
Retire with no worries for money. Live the rest of your life with a piece of mind!
SS is a supplement to your retirement savings. 401k's, IRA's, should b
Eliminate subsidies and credits, retaining 10% for R & D, primarily medical, charitable and advanced research. Alternate tax rates:over $500K increase 2 pts, to 37%, $150K to above incr 1% to 32%, 40K to above, no change, remains 22%, below reduce 5 pts to 10%. Retain interest, charitable, state taxes and medical deductions and eliminate dividend, cap gains and interest income. Social security modifications: Full retire @67, increasing 1 year every 5 yr beginning 2017, 68 in 2022 etc. Those reaching 55 in 2017 would be unaffected and finally all Fed employees would enter Soc. Sec and med plans. Consider!!!
I had no idea social security was in this dire of a situation...
I think they should be fare to everyone,and give them an amount they can live comfortable with.
i'm 46 and it seems that I will now have to start saving more by the time I retire.
No nothing other than the fact that social security is fund that actually belongs to the people and not the government. The government was supposed to mange the money NOT borrow from it. I would also like to them taxes corporations to add to the funds since most corporations don't offer pensions any more.
SS should go only to those who have contributed to it. If you have not worked for the money it's not yours to claim. Only the worker and family he is supporting. That would get us back on track.
One shouldn't get benefits from S. Security because kids have Attention Deficit Disorder. One is able to work, and we can provide tutoring or other ways to help them rather than having a disability check going to the parents. Obesity should not count for a disability and get a check increasing S. Security. Elderly being brought in illegally from other countries or Asylum, or legally should not get S. Security. There are too many ways that people sign up for S. Security and deplete the system. One needs to look at what is fair to the Americans that came in. If you sponsor a parent to come to America, than you pay for them, you don't put it on the tax payer. The one toe rule for Cuba giving them the right to sign up for benefits and right into S. Security is wrong, they have not paid. There are too many folks that continually work under the table and get to collect benefits without paying in is wrong also. Bringing in people from war torn countries and signing them up for S. Security is wrong too. You can't add people for a system that is short of funds.
Well... It might not work so well with average people, but including some of the more 'untraditional' views on social security would produce more interesting results. Of course, this probably was not one of the objectives of the survey.
Social security was not meant to be the only income of people. They are living longer and should start later. If you are going to raise social security to be above poverty line, then the other programs other "handouts" and aid such as food stamps, housing supplement need revision as well.
Hello< I appreciate the work social security does however, recently applying for social security disability found the process very long and have not yet received or approved for benefits. I believe the process needs to be streamline.
My understanding is that the social security fund "bucket' has been accessed by the federal government and used for other government entities (general fund??) - i.e., that so called 'bucket' that holds all SS funds as they are collected from employee/employer does not - in reality - exist. To use one description - it is full of I.O.U's. Sad to say, it seems to depend upon who is disseminating the REAL STORY on this issue, varies from whether it's from Democrats or Republicans, Liberals or Conservatives. In order for this survey to have a genuine 'ring of legitimacy', that subject must be clearly and without a bunch of 'bureaucrateze' explained, discussed and revealed to the Taxpaying public. Not one word of that explosive bit of information, was mentioned anywhere in your survey. Another thought, since you asked, it is an easily proven equation - - any time the government has more funds available (raising taxes) for ANYTHING, it is NEVER enough within a very short period of time. The mind-boggling WASTE in any bureaucracy - is disgraceful and feeds the 'beast of Corruption' & I fear will NEVER be effectively dealt-with until our culture focuses upon a different set of values than what now currently exist. Thank you for generating your surveys - alas, sad to say, they are not really addressing the TRUE and REAL situation as it now exists within our Government - Federal, State or Local.
Congress has been criminal in their neglect of overseeing the program and stealing money from the trust fund
I am already retired and are in the group of those over 80 years of age. I have tried to color my responses to take this age difference in to account, but ----
Leave Social Security benefits alone. No cuts. We worked, we paid, we deserve. Cut millions from all other wasteful spending projects the Government does.
I don't think the ratio of people working vs. retirees is solely because there are less children being born. I think that there are too many people who receive unemployment benefits for too long and are actually able to work. I think if we set a cap on that, it would help fund SS.
I have heard that some Social Security benefits are provided to immigrants who have never paid into the program, almost as if it were part of a "welcome" package for refugees. If this is true, then one or two things need to happen: Benefits should be discontinued to immigrants that have never paid into the program, and a special tax to reimburse the program by those who have benefitted from it as described here. That reimbursement should include at least a 1%per year interest payment, to help offset administrative costs.
The government needs to spend only what what the American people need, and to stop giving countless millions to other nations except in severe emergency relief. If the government were to do that and put that saved money into S.S it would be helpful.
People should plan on saving for their retirement. They should be encouraged to save and not spend every penny they have or go into debt. However people do cannot work because of a real and not fake disability should be taken care of. Families that do not have much money should get help in taking care of their family members.
We need to get more people off the welfare roles and in the job force. That would be a win for both.
What about creating a balanced budget at the federal level and sticking to it? Then the federal government could repay the money it took from Social Security.
I don't really get all my SSI payments anyway, because (is it 85% of them?) are defined as taxable income, taking away my benefits. I would rather have my benefits reduced, in exchange for 100% income tax exemption on them.
Social Security benefits need to raised!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am always amazed at the lack of knowing of many members of congress of what actually goes on in "real life" as they propose such ideas as raising the retirement age when the current business practice is to jettison employees as soon as they reach their '50's and bring in cheaper, more malleable, supposedly "healthier" (insurance cost-wise projection) younger employees because the bottom line is most important factor to consider. Unless Congress wants to pass a law forcing employers to hire or retain employees beyond the current reorganize, restructure, downsize or whatever other reason they use for terminating employees once they reach "that age group" , we will merely have a great deal more highly experienced and capable people vying for the mediocre, low-paying jobs just to get by for the next 10-15 years until legally able to collect social security. Many of these people are healthy, intellectually vibrant people who DO NOT want to be put into the retired bin when they have perhaps another 25 years of valuable contribution to the work force because of longer, physically healthier lives.
Put SSI back into a separate fund and restore what has been taken away from it. Keep it out of the general fund.
Raising retirement age to 70 is unrealistic. There is not enough employment available for people that age, nor are they all capable.
All payroll income should be taxed. If you earn $500,000 a year, all that total should be taxed, not just a portion.
If government had properly managed the system we would not be considering these options. the cap on earnings is just another way for the wealthy to get out of paying their fair share. You should have to pay into social security no matter how much or how little you earn.
I WORKED IN A GOV'T CAREER 35 YRS. I ALSO WORKED IN PRIVATE INDUSTRY, FULL AND PART TIME IN OVERLAPPING YRS FOR 25 YRS. S.S. SAYS I ONLY QUALIFY FOR LESS THAN 20% OF MY EARNED BENEFIT!! CONGRESSIONAL LAW 1993 !!!!
S/S is a good program. Do not privatize it!
As a senior receiving SS - not getting a COLA last year made no sense - perhaps a change in the formula is long overdue.
Yes - We need to STOP awarding American Workers' social security wages to people who do NOT PUT INTO IT!!! Foreign people!! I see so much corruption in my area!! Chinese (and other Asian) immigrants being awarded benefits. This needs to STOP!!! I put into Social Security and have since I was 16 yrs. old - It better be there when I need it!! This is a VERY SORE SUBJECT FOR ME!
Social Securityfuns need to be only for Social Security. The government hasa raided the funds for other projects
Reduce Social Security Benefits for anyone earning over $250,000/year
People receiving a pension either government or private company should not be eligible for social security even though they paid into it. In addition. Current elected officials should NOT have their own private type program but instead participate in the social security program ma y other Americans are participating in and unfortunately have come to depend on. Govt. should also offer more incentives to small businesses and self employed options for saving other than social security whether through 401k options etc and provide tax benefits to those. I see many people who have both a nice pension from their employer or government agency AND receiving social security. SS should be provided to those who's employers did not offer pension plans. This is double dipping in my opinion.
I feel the government should stop spending our (earned)(saved) money. We worked for it. They Cant budget thier own spending. With extravagant spending on lunches, cars,lifestyles. Why should we pay them to live on this planet. They do not own it. They do not go to war for it. They just continue to spend something that they personally did not earn.
im 79 , i work 4 days a mo ,till i die .my rent went up 30.00 a mo . s.s O , food aprox 15.00 s.s. 0 , i own 2 pr shoes -3 pr pants -i coat -that i bought at goodwill -i eat a lot of food that is given to me -NO MEAT -my son pays for this computer hook up -& helps when he can,because it`s my lifeline to sanity ..the guv. sends billions here & there,wastes billions more on useless crap . nothing will change ,washington will give it`s self a raise , screw the little guy ,
Interesting exercise. I'm 68 and still work part time. I know what recipients of Social Security are facing.
ALL wages/income should pay social security taxes/contribute to social security INCLUDING elected politicians/government employees, etc. The social security account should NEVER be used for ANYTHING except for retirement expenses for those who contributed to it. Any money "borrowed" by the government from the social security account should be RETURNED to the social security account. NO benefits should EVER be lowered, and retirement age should NOT be increased! I have sooooooooooo much more to say!
Not give social security benefits to illegal's that come into our county work for awhile then collect benefits for the rest of their life.
I feel that if there is no cap on taxation, those that have will plan accordingly and those that have not will benefit from everyone across the board paying dues.
The very Rich should not take benefits if they do not need them, however if their situation(wealth status) changes they should be there if needed.
You people are asking all these questions and ignore the real problems ! First of all there is no " SS Fund " ! The thieving politicians have stolen all the money from the "Fund" and put it into the General Fund which is going on twenty trillion in Debt ! Not only that but quit giving our money away to those that did not contribute into SS . Every time I go by the Social Security office in Garden Grove, California the place is full of Vietnamese and I know for a fact that they did not pay into Social Security !
We need to stop paying social security payments for people that have never worked in this country or have not paid into the tax system. We need to pay only if a person has worked in the U.S. for more than 30 years other wise reduce benefits from that point. Example: if someone comes from another country and makes $50000. or more per year for about ten years, they should only be able to collect benefits for that amount of time not the rest of their lives. We need to stop giving my hard earn tax dollars to people that come into the country for freebees.
Since one of the root causes is the shrinking population in the US we should take action to increase the population. The best way in my opinion is to change the immigration laws to allow the base of new citizens to increase to the level where the US GDP can continue to grow and solve the social security shortfall.
Stop congress from borrowing from the SS fund to pay for other projects
Stop allowing people who are 65 and still working to collect part of their spouse's Social Security when the spouse turns 65. This makes absolutely NO sense. There are several situations like this that are draining Social Security.
Older workers working longer may be taking jobs away from new and young workers. Need more Fraud detection to detect abuse of the system. Older workers high risk for accidents due to aging process and chronic diseases,
Terminate Social Security. Get rid of it. It's the worst idea ever and obviously isn't working.
End mandatory participation in SS and allow citizens to invest their funds themselves.
When SS was implemented, the life expectancy was around 65. Now it's almost 80, and rising, unless the obesity pandemic damps this trend. Raising the retirement age is the single most sensible proposal given.
privatize retirement and phase out social security. young people contributing to their own retirement will grow better than what SS will pay out and they have control over it.
Social Security is the only income some seniors have. They have paid their share and should not be penalized.
Quit raiding social security and giving to those that did not contribute or who should still be working
I find it amazing that we find a way to pay politicians their full salary and very generous benefits for much less than 30 years of work. If we can pay them why can't we pay the people whom they represent.
$69k does not represent higher earning individuals. Lets get real, in CA, $69k is just barely making enough to have a life. CA represents a huge portion of who is paying in to Social Security. Any benefit reduction should be calculated for those earning in excess of $100k.
the problem could be easily solved if the government would quit using the social security funds to pay other debts. monies taken from paychecks for SS should ONLY be used for SS. our government needs to seriously reaccess their spending habits. there is far too much frivilous spending. Not to mention overpayment of government contracts, salaries, etc.
The cost of Medicare should be tied into Social Security benefits. Many elderly cannot afford premiums. Paying income tax on Social Security benefits is not fair for those who have to continue working to supplement.
I receive a monthly social security benefit, after Medicare is deducted, of $500. Upon my husband's death, even though we have some insurance, I will be living below the poverty level.
Social security must be left to work as intended, not a account that the Government can use to offset their shortsightedness on spending.
People only need so much money to live comfortably, any more than that will just be wasted while too many elderly people who never had children do not have all basic necessities. People who actually had a job, their spouses, and their minor children should qualify to receive benefits but not people who are dependents such as parents or other adults who have never worked in the USA. SSA needs to change some laws that are unfair to some of us who have actually worked and contributed into the system. Too many people who have never worked in the USA are receiving Social Security benefits. Please look for ways to make it fair for the working people.
Less federal Spending, Stop trying to be an EMPIRE //WORLD POLICE----Let the CORPORATIONS PAY for Their interests in Foreign Lands---Not US! and as Dwight D Eisenhower warned ..the Federal Reserve and Government are a GREEDY BUNCH. RUN THE COUNTRY LIKE A BUSINESS----DON"T SPEND MORE THAN YOU BRING IN! --WE SHOULD BE ON A 10% FLAT TAX!!
The Social Security Administration is clearly incapable of honoring their commitments. Rather than allow their mismanagement to continue it would be better simply to let the shortfall occur. As a country we can learn from it and not make the same mistakes again. I don't know anyone under 30 that is including Social Security benefits in their retirement planning. If they get anything from it they will just treat it as a windfall.
I learned a lot through this survey. I feel like social security education should be more prominent in schools and to the general public. My understanding of the cost of living and CPI policy is still not great, but I tried to answer with the best of my understanding.
I've heard that is a father dies after paing into SS for a short time, all his children are eligible for benefits until they ae 21 yrs old. I think this is stupid.
I think, like most government programs, they need to be actually funded by the amount in this case that is paid in each year. The government should not be allowed to use funds for other purposes or not actual put such funds into Social Security. Secondly, such funds should be invested, like what some of the European Countries do.
This survey never mentioned that there are some workers who are not part of social security. As a public school teacher in California, I do not pay SS taxes and I will never receive SS benefits.
There was no discussion about the social security benefits of the disabled adults. Many living well below the cost of living.
We are in this trouble because of bad management of the Social Security Monies collected. We need more oversight and review of decisions.
I BELIEVE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF LOWER INCOME, NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT SOCIAL SECURITY IS NOT THE END ALL SUPPORT IN ONE'S RETIREMENT YEARS.
Increase the amount paid to widows or widowers upon a spouses death. Lower the starting age of 60 for a surviving spouse to collect benefits. There is no guarantee that a survivor will last that long. Many die of sadness soon after.
Another alternative is to raise the cap for high earners, but decrease the tax rate over a specified amount, such as $1 million, and cap the maximum amount of benefit at something less than the current percentage.
HAVE THE GOVERNMENT PAY BACK ALL THE $ THEY STOLE FROM SS
Keep the money out of the hands of politicians and invest it like all insurance companies do.
The governemnt should quit "borrowing" money from the fund which I am told they have done in the past.
While there are many ways we can reduce the deficit of this issue, we need to take an overall look at how the US is spending in general. Our support of other countries needs to be reduced.
I Feel you should get what you put into it if you put nothing into it you get nothing. Govement should create more jobs especially in the private sector and reduce welfare spending.
All wages and payroll subject to FICA taxes
Would be nice if the government who took the money out of Social security to start with had honored their commitment to pay back what they took.
just cant understand why social security taxes have to stop when making over 117,000 when I have to pay taxes starting each new year from 0
I am not real happy with the way the system works. As a 33 year educator I worked many second jobs in which I contributed to SS. But because I recurve a pension I will get a very small amount if any from SS.IS THIS REALLY FAIR NO IT IS WRONG.
Make all federal employees pay in to, and draw from, a single retirement or pension. Make lawmakers subject to the laws and regulations they create. When a person is elected to office, they shouldn't be entitled to a lifetime pension and health care!
Make Social Security voluntary. Allow individuals to decide how much they want to participate and determine the benefits they will receive if any. The Government has created a huge Ponzi scheme that will collapse sometime. Let the people decide what works for them. Government should just be on the side that enforces these retirement contracts.
You cannot ever reduce social security benefits, not even from the lady using it to pay her jaguar payments, it is money earned. I think social security needs to be rebranded ; it has such negative press. I agree with both sides generally, but the fact is you cannot get rid of SS, so it needs to be fixed. Rebrand it as a retirement plan that benefits people and the government. An investment in the government almost, we give our SS $$ to the Gov, the invest it smarty (hopefully), in a way that helps the country, and then they pay us back. Maybe the government can outsource the investment of the money to people who will make a larger margin, which will reduce the oversight. Enough with the Caps, I find it sickening I pay almost the same in SS as a millionaire. The Millionaires & billionaires would not exist in the US if it weren't for the government.
Is there a possibility of developing an incentive partnership with the private sector to offset the populations who would have the biggest anticipated needs such as in housing or long term care? In other words, the costlier items as we get older could be provided in a public/private program that could serve as a tax benefit to businesses.
What happened to all of the money that was put in by the people who never drew off of their Social Security? Both of my parents died before they could collect any money...... We kids never saw any of that and I am sure we are not alone? POOR management of funds!!!!
make it illegal for congress or the president to use social security for any other purpose than it is intended. No borrowing or using it for other purposes with the intent of returning it, and not following through. have fund managers from the private sector manage a portion of the total fund to see if they can increase the fund through the market, or other means.
All wage earners in the USA should be subject to the Social Security system, including all local, state and federal employees and all political office holders. Those that establish the laws should live within them just as all the other citizens do.
The capital gains earned through investment should also be taxed for social security. People who have over 20 million dollars should not receive any social security regardless of how much they paid into it.
The government has been misusing social security funds, the crooked politicians should put it back.
As I understand it the danger of Social Security being in the red is that the tax funds are put in the general fund and, of course, are spent on other benefits or waste. This is unacceptable and Congress should be held to account.
IT WOULD HELP SOCIAL SECURITY FUND IF THE FEDERAL GOV WOULD REPLACE ALL THE FUNDS THEY HAVE TAKEN AND PUT THEM BACK. IT IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT "PETTY CASH" FUND TO PLAY WITH IT IS OURS THAT WE DEPOSITED FOR OUR RETIREMENT.
I disagree with The government or anyone else "borrowing" from Social Security
Completely exclude ALL illegal aliens from receiving social security ever. People who don't pay into it should not receive anything but the bare minimum benefit. Congress should never touch it again and should pay back what they have already taken.
This is all based on the premise that there IS a shortfall. If Congress and the Senate had not spent our money on wars and bailouts, the interest on this money would be enough to carry us through. This is an outrage. And what about those making more than 215,000. How about the ones over a million not getting any benefits whatsoever.
The option to increase taxes on carried interest and dividends was not listed but I also encourage this as an option to raise revenues.
It is our moral responsibility to take care of our elderly and most vulnerable citizens. I think it is a disgrace for our political leaders to spread and/or condone false information regarding SS benefits.
Reduce ALL SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS and ELIMINATE ABUSE of ALL SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS.
Raise the earnings cap and create a COLA that reflects what seniors buy. Right now, if gas prices are low, it affects the COLA rate but seniors drive less. So far my property taxes, HOA fees, city utilities, medical premiums, etc have all gone up but my benefits have not ! And get rid of the WEP ! I paid into SS and they shouldn't penalize me because I worked for the government....who, by the way, took a higher percentage of my wages for my pension.
It' obvious something needs to be done. it should have been dealt with a long time ago. I am probably 12 yrs from retirement. I hope something can be figured out. I don't want to retire at 70 yrs of age. I don't think the government is honest with the inflation rate for cola's. sine there was not a cola raise last year.
Social Security is something most of us have paid into for 30+ years. I'm appalled at what I receive versus what I paid into. I don't like that it's mandatory, but I also understand that people are not responsible for their saving for retirement. I feel it is an entitlement because we pay into it. How about looking at reducing benefits of welfare and unemployment and food stamps after a period of time and using those savings to shore up social security. There are way too many people out there that are career lifetime welfare and unemployment recipients. This has to change. We have become a welfare nation and its wrong. Help people get on their feet and cut the cord after a set period of time. We as a nation, are broke because we are spending too much money supporting people who are able, and capable to work. The only thing missing is their desire to work. Why should they if the can live fine without working? There are many programs we could and should cut to shore up social ecurity.
I filed for my Social Security when I was 62 when I lost my job and couldn't find another one. I have had physical jobs my entire life and now, at 66, am starting to feel really beat up. Jobs were always bottom of the barrel, too, so now, I am basically living in poverty. An extra $100 or $200 would make a difference to those at the bottom of the scale. Even though I have managed to pay for my home and drive junker cars, we've still cut back on groceries. Home and car repairs come from the food budget, too. It's OK to say, "You should have saved more", but when I was working, I had barely enough to pay the bills. Wages were always low. Now they are even worse, and with no benefits.
I believe that the double dipping laws should be reviewed. As a widow and retired PERA employee I was shocked to discover that ALL of the benefits I would have enjoyed and that we planned on all but disappeared when my husband dies. It's not right that after 23 years in the military and paying into SS for over 20 years that the $6,000 we payed into and planned on as a couple is now reduced to less than half now that I am a widow.
No, I did like the final outcome of a positive growth.
The Congress, Senate and the President should also pay into social security! they should be taxed the same way as all Americans. Any decisions made by them for Americans should affect them as well.
I think social security should be a safety net for those who fell on serious hard times. You have had 45-50 years to prepare for retirement. This is not a surprise. Your lack of planning should not constitute an emergency on the government's part. That's not it's job.
Social security should not be in the budget, but should be a separate fund. Putting it in the budget during the LBJ administration has allowed congress to raid the fund, making it less solvent.
option to increase for Increase for top 1% not available. minimum was top 25% and that hits the middle class.
I think Social Security should be eliminated for those who have never worked yet receive benefits.
Disabled benefits need to increase to a livable level.
Declining birth rates were mentioned but never looked into during this simulation. The government should not encourage young people to have more children just so there are more workers paying into social security. This just creates a ponzi scheme because each generation of young people will have to have more and more children just to support social security. Currently, the government gives a tax reduction for each child a person claims. I believe that this encourages citizens, to some extent, to have more children. The government should discourage this by taxing a person for every third or more child they claim. If we get our population down to replacement rate, our population would stabilize and eventually we wouldn't have the problem that we are currently having with all the baby boomers retiring. Perhaps this tax for additional children should go into the social security fund. I know that reducing our current birth rate will make things hurt for a little while, but it will all even out in the end. We need to be looking at the long-term goals of ensuring benefits for those who need them most and not worrying about the short-term goals of reducing a deficit no matter the cost to those who live in poverty after retirement.
This does not address the Social Security Disability payments that are made. I think a reduction needs to be considered.
keeping in mind that millions of workers live from hand to mouth, getting rid of government waste is also key to the solution. There is nothing anyone can do about rising costs of goods to survive, however, a person should not have to decide whether to buy food or fuel for heating, especially in rural areas. Every dime helps. I could have used an extra $10 a week when raising 2 sons on $5.00 an hour, but it was what it was, at least I wasn't on welfare.
No mention of personal investment accounts such as TSP for government employees (similar to 401K). Citizens actively participate in their retirement program.
I LIKE THE IDEA OF HIGHER INCOME PERSONS OVER 250K PER YEAR INVESTING MORE INTO SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE BENEFITS! ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO LIVE OVERLY IN LUXURY WITH SEVERAL HOMES, CARS ETC. WE ARE ALL THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THIS GREAT NATION (FAMILY) AND SHOULD TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER! IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT SOME PEOPLE MAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND JUST SPEND IT ON LUXURY, WHILE WE HAVE SO MANY HARDWORKING PEOPLE THAT CANT MAKE ENDS MEET AND WE HAVE HOMELESS AND STARVING CHILDREN IN OUR COUNTRY AS WELL AS THOSE OF US WHO CANNOT AFFORD HEALTH CARE, EVEN WITH THE ACA! ALSO, THOSE OF US WITH SMALL BUSINESSES WHO HAVE TO FEAR LOSING OUR HOMES BECAUSE WE CANNOT AFFORD PAYING THE BUSINESS TAXES & IRS! THIS IS AMERICA AND WE SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED!!!
I will really get screwed if retirement age keeps going up. Eliminating the cap is really the only *progressive* way to address the shortfall, along with PROHIBITING the government from BORROWING from the trust fund! We need to eliminate tax loopholes for CORPORATIONS, as well as bailouts, subsidies, and other forms of CORPORATE WELFARE. Meanwhile, we desperately need a cultural shift whereby amassing personal material wealth is no longer something to aspire to. We need a "sharing" economy instead, and scale down capitalism to local economies whenever possible.
There is a whole group of middle class individuals that currently have their benefits reduced because they draw a government pension. I worked two jobs my whole life so I could have a decent retirement only to find out my Social Security benefits were drastically reduced due to my pension. Not fair!
The real problem is people qualify for social security benefits when they shouldn't. Too many people have figured out how to be disabled.
We have money to spend 6 trillion on wars in Iraq and Afghanistanistan, and billions on foreign aid, yet we neglect our own elderly and disabled. Seems like misplaced priorities. Also, those 11 million illegals could sure help with the shortfall if they were paying Social Security tax.
end social security completely and give us all our money back. It was meant to be a temporary solution not a permanent one.
I am 51 and don't believe I will see the benefits of SS. I think market based solutions are better for everyone.
I think it will take a combination of many proposals to solve the shortfall. I urge Congress to take action!
I just know that something needs to be done....
That all salaried should be taxed, for Social Security. All Individuals in Political office as well as retired officials.
I believe government should pay interest on money they have spent out of social security. That would increase a portion of the short fall. That would let social security be invested more like a real retirement plan.
the government is responsible for not having the money it was put there but they ran thru it. making more money is being idiots. we DO not have to get involved in so many countries business
Yes take away Congress & Presidential powers to use this money in yearly budgeting.
People should pay more if they are making more, my account always say's I wish you were paying a million in taxes,because then you would making 5 million a year. The tax laws are written for the wealthiest people and corporations, and the middle class which is declining everyday are being held hostage economically. The wealthy are running the world economy and we the people are fighting in war's all over the globe to protect their interests. And they do not want to share they always want more. It's rape and pelage the masses, just like medieval days.
It's my understanding that President Bush took $7.2 trillion out of social security to fund the Iraq war. Why doesn't the government return that money back to the fund.
Those that are born after 1985 should have to contribute into social security at half the current rate with employers contributing at the full current rate. Those born after 1985 should be permitted to contribute the other half into private retirement with the understanding that they will not receive social security benefits. This allows younger people to plan earlier for their retirement while continuing to take care of the elderly and disable. Those that are disable should be declared disabled by 2 separate doctors and should be reviewed every 3 years. Furthermore, veterans that are receiving money for services connected disabilities at the rate of 100% should not be permitted to receive social security disability at any point so long as they remain at 100%. This is double dipping into disability benefits. Additionally, Veterans service connected disability at the rate of 100% is more than 3 times the monthly amount of social security disability. SSDI should be used for those people that have no other forms of disability income.
I don't agree with the so-called consensus view that the shortfall exists in the first place. I find the establishment parties are either unwittingly or intentionally limiting themselves to a "taxes fund spending" view of our monetary system, instead of recognizing that fiscal spending is a form of money creation (just as bank lending is the act that creates money in our system, not the Fed's creation of physical or electronic reserve notes). They're also beholden to the desires of the financial industry to reduce tax liability for self-interested reasons. My line of thinking is more in tune with this article: http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/11/obama-wants-to-cut-social-security.html I think this debate is ultimately constrained by some false assumptions. If we (tragically) can't break out of those artificial limits, however, I'd prefer a solution that applies the payroll tax to all income, and (if necessary given this artificial construct) then slightly increases the percentage of wages employers and employees contribute to Social Security. I do believe that a socialized public pension system is far, far superior to an "everyone is an island" system where we focus people on their private investments as a means of funding retirement. There is no reason to let anyone fall through the cracks. Not only does a fully individuated system force people to gamble in the investment market and then punish "losers" with intense poverty, but it really exists to satisfy the
Have the US Government pay back the money they have taken from the social security fund. Nobody ever mentions how this should be first and foremost in ALL plans regarding future plans
Teachers, police and f ire fighters in 14 states have reduced SS benefits or none at all because of state pension plans. Spouses are not eligible for any death benefits even though a spouse paid into SS all his/her life. This is totally unfair and placed a severe hardship on surviving spouses to say nothing about where does hte money go, if not to a surviving spouse??????
The government needs to make cuts & stop borrowing from social security. Also, the SS death benefit needs to be re-evaluated to not cover children whose step-parent is deceased if both biological parents are living and able to provide for the minor child(ren).
replace the money that was diverted or borrowed from the fund. pay interest to the fund for money that was taken from the fund.
People should have an asset/income test as well as just reaching age for retirement.
SS is important for all retirees. Modest changes will keep it solvent for everyone in the future.
Social Security was set up for retirements. From my understanding this fund has been dipped into for other things. There are able bodied americans that do not work and do not contribute to the system. We have an economy that has suffered for many years where those that want to work can not find work and are unable to contribute. We should not pay life time benefits to politicians. they should invest in their own retirement lie a 401k. We should have term limitations to cut out the corruption washington and save $ there.
The policy makers in Washington should be made to live on sis to get a real understanding of what living on just sis is like.
My thought would be to have an additional.0.5% SS tax on the elite. People who make $500,000 or higher. Also with doing that you should reduce the middle to lower income earners, people who make under 100,000 per year by 0.3% to help them out during their working years without reducing their retirement SS benefits. I believe if you make over $500,000 a year you should have your own retirement setup and not need government benefits. For someone who makes $500,000 or more per year for 20 years their benefit should be cut in half.
I am sincerely hoping that the government does not eliminate social security benefits altogether! I had heard rumors of this...I am 53 years old, and have been working since I was 16. I have low annual income personally, and I know I will depend greatly on my social security benefits when I can retire. I'm hoping that they are a monthly amount that will help pay my expenses, and I hope that the retirement age doesn't keep increasing, preventing me from retiring in my mid 60s. Because unfortunately, the benefits decrease if a person retires before full retirement age.
Deal with the SSI beneficiaries under a separate tax; most people don't know they get benefits under social security. Make social security retirement ONLY!
Yes, Teachers are treated unfairly in receiving SS benefits. Either they receive less because they have a pension, even though they have worked at other jobs outside of teaching and paid into SS. Also, widows who are retired teachers never collect any SS benefits which husband paid into over his lifetime. My husband died at 55, and I cannot collect any of the SS he paid. I should be able to collect at least what he paid into SS, not what his employers paid into SS. Repeal those two Acts that penalize teachers, the most important job in the nation.
In Connecticut, we have a very high cost of living, perhaps SS payments can reflect geographically .
Stop allowing illegal workers the advantages of green card holders and citizens! We can't afford to take care of the world!
Make IRAs/401(k)s an opt-out process, so that employees would automatically be set up to participate in one of these plans.
It is important to use both a reduction in costs and an increase in revenue to assist in reducing the shortfall. Social Security must be kept for future generations.
Stop giving benefits to people who are NOT citizens of the US.
Stop giving people who never worked in the USA over age 70 any benifits.stop issuing checks to dead people stop sending ss checks to people outside the USA most are a furad.people who can not find work go to a doctor and say they are depressed and get SS disiabilty TO MUCH FRUAD thats were we start.
yes raise the number of years worked to be able to collect from 40 quarts to 100 quarts
The Administration and management of the Social Security Department of the Government could be significantly improved as well as made more efficient-i.e., a significant cost reduction opportunity, which could contribute to reducing the social security shortfall.
Consider how a person who has his Identity stolen could lose benefits because his benefits are taken by the thief. Or, as an example, someone else using your SS number is paying into SS. Will you benefit.? When I did a credit check on my rental tenant we found that a person with a Mexican name in Arizona is also using my Connecticut tenants SS number.
People should plan for retirement and not depend on S.S. to live on in their retirement years.
The tax system should be revised to tax many forms of unearned income, and huge inheritance income.
The social security fund was begun to help retirees. If congress stopped using it for other reasons, there would be no short fall. Use Social Security ONLY for Social security.
The problem with SSI is that the benefits are paid out based on who is actually working instead of income actually gained. So a portion of SSI should be invested as a way of driving up revenue for current workers, similar how 401ks work.
I agree that we need to deal with the shortfall first before dealing with inflation/COLA. I find it incredibly reasonable to raise the SS cap so that higher earners pay more into the system. It's not like it's that much of a handicap. And being one of the new members of the higher earners crowd, I am absolutely happy to pay more taxes if it means more stability for the country.
The option of privatization was not offered. I feel that would be the absolute best option for future retirees. Let the market decide and if people make poor decisions, that is their responsibility alone.
A government that took my money by force needs to repay me, and all other Social Security recipients. They need to stop spending payroll taxes on other things. This always has been a Ponzi scheme, and that is not the fault of us victims. Enact a special payroll tax on all non-citizen workers. They have taken jobs from citizens and send money back to their homelands. Those here illegally should be required to pay substantial fines to reduce the shortfall before they can become citizens or access any benefit programs available to citizens.
Removing the fraudulent, non contributing, non citizen etc. recipients would go a long way to resolving the shortfall.
Yes. A better approach to fund S/S in the future would be for Congress to refund all of those dollars that have been stolen over the years from S/S, having used those funds to plug holes in the annual budgets rather than what those funds were originally intended for.
it was briefly mentioned, but I think it deserves greater consideration and that is developing some sort of evaluation of the physical needs of a profession and people unable to continue in that maner, ie a person digging ditches should not work as long as a person who does work sitting down, like at a desk
I believe that only those who have worked and paid into SS should be able to reap the benefits. Those who have not, should never get to touch that money.
Lowering the amount a high earner brings home with ssi or ssa reduces the help we can offer others.
I am a 42 year old male. My parents are retired baby boomers. My personal financial planning view is that I am not planning on any social security to be available when I retire in 2038. Any social security payments I may receive will be viewed as a bonus.
My Mother died at 94 and see needed Social Security that was LITTLE. I had to pay for 5 years her living expenses.
It makes no mathematical sense that you project dramatic decrease in the number of people paying yet dramatic increases in those receiving benefits. The curve has to tip over. As presented you have people living to 120. Also you do not have to have the payroll taxable level and income benefit basis match.
Remove Congress from exempt status. Since they make the laws the laws should apply to them as well. Since they helped create the current situation they should also help pay for it.
The Social Security benefit should be given at the same percentage of income no matter what the monthly income.
Personal responsibility for future income needs!!!
I am ABSOLUTELY against ANY proposals to privatize social security. Privatizing social security would put many future recipients at risk of decreasing their eventual payout, would risk the entire socsec money pool, would siphon off part of the socsec money pool to investment firms and managers, and would also open the door to massive fraud and abuse by firms that have already proven themselves to be completely untrustworthy when it comes to handling other peoples' money.
Congress ruined Social Security. It was established in a manner to assist citizens and then changed based on partisan politics (taxed, borrowed from, etc.). I'd prefer citizens be able to fund their own retirement accounts with the money currently targeted for Social Security. My return on what I put in myself would be much more than what I get now. Education from a young age (in school) could help teach people that it is their responsibility to plan to cover future costs associated with aging. Allow people the opportunity to care for themselves rather than having to depend on a government that changes the law to suit their own ideology.
Your options all overlook the effect of getting more people back to work. It is dynamic: the more workers, the more SS revenue. See--it all comes down to stopping illegal immigration!!!
I don't like the fact that my working for PERS for 10 years reduces my social security benefit even though I worked the number of quarters to make the benefit. I would need to make $18000 per year for 3 more years. When I began working the salaries were not that high and now I should have to pay for it. Not enticing for people going to work for the county, etc jobs.
If people start collecting SS at age 62, allow them to earn unlimited money if they want to continue working as after collecting at 66. They are still contributing to SS while collecting it. I also think the way the figure COLA is unfair.
If the govt would cut the waste it wouldn't have a shortfall. If you are employed by the govt you should not get a bonus you already have job security, so giving bonuses is wasting money. If they don't like their job and security then go elsewhere.
Some tough decisions has to be made to save SS for what it was intended and who it was intended for.
If it's possible, perhaps the highest income makers would choose not to take their social security benefits. It may not fix the problem but could help.
only people who contributed to Social Security should receive it!!!!!!!
I personally find social security a failed experiment, I personally think it needs to be abolished, the money placed in now added to the national debt as a debt to the people and the system replaced with a manditory investment system.
Most people do not need to retire at 62 and maybe that should be raised. However, construction workers and agricultural workers are not really physically able to continue working.When your back, knees, neck, wrists and hands are obviously deformed you need to retire. These men will not admit to being disabled but they are so maybe we could index earlier retirements for some occupations but not all.
Eliminate welfare to ILLEGALS. This excess would discourage illegals and increase the likelihood of SELF-DEPORTATION. Financial excess would go to Social Security!
Have congress follow the same laws and in the same manner that we other Americans do. I suspect things would change for the better quickly.
Tax companies that send their money and jobs overseas to avoid paying taxes. Have a larger tax on imported products to increase jobs here which would increase revenue.
Quit giving hard working people's money to illegals. And demand drug testing for all non working and still receive benefits
There might be a proposal that those who earn over $200,000 yr. (single) and $300,000 (joint) pay a higher rate for years they sustain that amount of income. Don't charge any extra for those who make under these amount.
How about stop giving away our Soc.Security to illegal emigrants who have contributed nothing to the system???
All of your arguments 'against' adding benefits to exsisting Social Security benefits are baloney. Saying that we 'cannot possibly add benefits when we are in a deficit now' is ridiculous. We cannot possibly "add a second bathroom until we've paid off our mortgage in 30 years.' And EVERYONE should be taxed. We are in the trouble we are in now because the richest Americans are paying LESS than the poorest. That is BULL. Trickle-down economics does not work.
Why does it have to always come from taxes of the people? Why can't it come from taxes or fees from imports from china and other countries.
Soc.Sec. was NOT intended to be the sole retirement money source. Relating benefits to needs of elderly is flawed idea. People must make their own specific plans for their own retirement and Soc. Sec. should merely be a large portion of that plan instead of the entire plan. There is NO sense in stopping the contributions at 117K. Taxing all income should be first step to fixing shortfall problem.
cut the cost of politicians salary and perks to fund social security,
I've worked for almost 30 years and expect to work for another 20+ years. When I retired, I expect to have the money I was promised available. Anything else is unacceptable.
Allow opt out for people who want to be fully responsible for there OWN retirement
The quickest way to eliminate any deficit is to STOP military spending. Funding unnecessary wars has been a detriment to the American people for decades and is the main reason our country is in trouble.
The problem of the government using SS funds for non SS reasons is never addressed. Am wondering if SS funds would be in trouble if all the money we put in were used for only SS. Creating a larger work force, more job opportunities to allow more funds into the system seems the larger answer to the problem, rather than moving our jobs to other countries and selling items produced to back to Americans.
Social Security for the aged should be the number 1 consideration to remain funded. This is not a benefit to them but a fund which is funded by the working. There should never be any dipping to support any other budgetary concerns from this account.
We need to ensure that social security survives. So many people depend on it.
I am tired of people expecting the government to support them! More effort needs to go into those who are scamming the system, because I, for one, am sick of working hard to support the lazy. I also think that there should not be a cap on SS taxing and everyone should pay their share.
Remove the cap on contributions. Restrict the use of social security to what it was initially used for. STOP raiding the social security account for other activities, ie medicare/ medicaid!
In order to get the cowards in Washington to focus on fixing SS rather than protecting their jobs, perhaps a system such as BRAC (used to trim DOD) ought to be tried.
Those of us who make higher incomes should step up and pay our fair share. Remove the Social Security cap.
All congressman pay their own benefits, no retirement paid by the people, their retirement reduced to the scale of the Military, term limits
Eliminating the cap seems most effective
I agree about the over 80 age people. Having an elderly parent, there are other costs to consider. Her prescriptions and medical charges are higher - even though much of her costs are covered by Medicare, there are many that are limited.
I am in favor of gradually raising the cap on earnings. Wealthy individuals know how to shelter and they have investment income that is not taxed in that way. The trick is to keep the system solvent while protecting the very poor and keeping the middle class and upper classes bought into the system. Good luck with that. Means testing is tricky but it makes absolutely no sense for the very wealthy to get increases just because they have the good genes, good luck and funds for excellent care to get past 85. They have already been rewarded I don't think you have mentioned increasing or including an income tax on a larger portion of social security which would be based on your adjusted gross income. You have to keep giving out social security to have all groups buy into it. The dilemma is at what point do you alienate.
My only comment is if money wasn't taken from social security and used somewhere else we wouldn't have a problem.....
We have known about this problem for a long time. We have also known that the Baby Boomers would make a huge impact on Social Security. The children of the Baby Boomers will never see Social Security at the current rate. Also we will not have the pension and retirement benefits our parents (Baby Boomers) now enjoy. The word "retirement" will no longer be uttered in our lifetime at the current state of affairs.
It's my understanding that Congress took money from the Social SecurityTrust Fund. Congress needs to pay it back, even if it means reducing their retirements and salaries; without raising taxes. I am outraged that at age discrimination for seniors who want to continue working and not hired because of their age. I was forced to start drawing SS that doesn't maintain quality of life. Come up with a better retirement system for all citizens based on contributions from employer and employees and significantly cutting SS Administration. Look at the money saved!
Lots of SSI payments should be reevaluated. You did not ask any questions about SSI and disability SS
I believe that most Americans who make more than 50,000 are already saving in other ways for Retirement. So if we don't get SS it won't make to much of a difference in our Retirement, but those who are not saving, they will be the ones who are in need of money when they retire.
I am currently on disability...this was the most informative survey I have ever taken. Thank you.
Pay into social security should be an option not a requirement. What if instead of paying SS you put your money into a 401K ,etc? I did not sign up for SS when given the choice because I had a retirement membership that was a lot better.
Stop giving benefits to illegals and anyone who has not paid into the system. Stop taking money from social security for other than its intened purpose. Close all the loopholes that allow for removal of these funds for anything other than qualified retirees.
Social Security is currently funding a great number of benefits to survivors, etc. that have never paid into the system these benefits should be evaluated as well if reform is to be realistic and create positive results.
The lower earners are already having a hard time saving for retirement. I'd rather the higher income earners be taxed on every dollar they make rather than having a cap
Crack down on social security abuse!! Millions are being lost on fraud.
Disability fraud is rampant and this issue really needs to be addressed. Apparently it is very easy for people to get disability now. I see this everyday, young people perfectly capable of working are on disability. Disability should be strictly controlled to avoid fraud and to be there for those that really need it.
I worked a full time job until I was 78 years old.It was a desk job and another worked until she was 80 years old. Many who enjoy their jobs will be working loner and may offset those who do not want to want to work longer.Is there any type of chart that tells how long many people choose to work? longer..,
The amount of funds received by lower wage workers is almost insignificant, especially compared to the highest earners. Often, wealthy individuals receive monthly benefits from SS in addition to other income (investments, etc.). I would like to see a system that allows low wage earners to receive funds that cover their actual living expenses and does not penalize them the way the current system does. Often, receiving a minimal amount of funding from SS diminishes or eliminates the ability to participate in other social programs such as food stamps or medicaid. This forces seniors to have to choose between eating, living comfortably, and medications.
Congress, in the past, and perhaps currently as well, has taken Social Security funds for other purposes. An accurate history of these illegal uses of Social Security funds should be tallied, and Congress be made to restore all the funds they've taken from Social Security and used for other purposes.
Protect the SS as should always have been done and don't let ANYONE or ANYTHING borrow its funds! Invest the funds safely so they will grow.
I think raising the cap to over $200,000 is too high. Raise the cap to about $150,000. I do not think higher income people should have their payments reduced. They paid it in. It should be theirs.
there should never be a time when the cola is zero, while other deductions from your social security check is increased
Eliminating the cap on SS taxes .Anyone making any amount of annual income should pay SS taxes at the 6.2% rate.....Even if theY make 2 billion dollars a year..THAT WOULD SOLVE THE SS PROBLEM
Another change would be to stop indexing the payout. If a "rich" person gets, let's say 25%, then a "poor" person get the same 25% amount. This will encourage getting promotions, raises, etc. and do well while at work in stead of just getting by until you retire. Reward what you want to change for the better.
Maybe for those high earning seniors who chose not to collect, let them not collect. In the area I live in I have heard a small amount state they don't need the money but are forced to apply for benefits? Not sure if that is correct or not, but if in my small town we have people who would rather not collect, Im sure there are others.
government should use social security as it was meant to be used,instead of using it for everything else.
I lost a lot of SS dollars because of a job loss at age 55. Look at job loss as part of the shortfall problem. I went from age 55 to till age 62 when I was forced to start SS benefits early because I could not find work. Job loss caused many people to draw SS early. Work harder on catching SS benefit cheaters.
Congress and all Federal Employees should be covered by SS as is mandated in the constitution
The government claims that people are living longer, and thus are healthier, but this is NOT the case. Americans are sicker than ever before and many of them never make it to retirement age. Stop covering up the cancer problem and fix it!
SS benefits should only go to the workers that have paid, not to any other programs. working Illegals do not pay SS taxes but get benefits, not fair
We must take care of our elderly. They built and shaped this country. If we can avoid raising the age of retirement we must. Cancer and the toll of physically demanding jobs has increased in this country and we need to incorporate the price of these health issues into decisions. The fact that we have failed to keep median incomes rising at the same rate as the top 25% is the root of this issue and must be addressed along side everything else included.
Put back the money that was taken out long ago. We could cut down on what we give to other countries and fix our many problems here.
How about increasing the early retirement age to 65 on a graded scale?
Change the retirement benefits of all government employees to be included in social security and not the special retirement plan they currently have
I am 66 at this time. I have to work until 70, because I'm completely supporting a son, who has an injury that can't be fixed was refused disability. His 3minor children, and a grandson who was put in the streets at the age of 16. He has a reading comprehension problem and never finished middle school. If I didn't continue to work we would be a statistic in your homeless situation.
Social Security must never be lowered! retirees are essentially unable to get jobs for those who can still work. SS must be hands off for reductions. Increase deductions and I like the idea of raising the minimum benefit for those who have worked over 30 years. I have worked well over 40 years and get so little.
make all employees everywhere pay SS,especially elected officials
I spent 18 years taking care of foster children and adopting a few and because of that when i got sick and had to go on ss disability I only get 400 amonth...can you live on 400 amonth? i think there should be a fixed amount that you get that you can live on,and with no cost of living increases its really hard for me
I get very angry when I hear politicians call SS an entitlement. As a person who worked hard, and paid in to SS, I certainly do not consider it an entitlement or a gift. I always worked very hard and that money was hard to come by.
I believe that the wealthy shouldn't get a break by only paying on a percentage of their earnings. Everyone should pay on 100% of what they earn. I'm not worried ghat they will have less to contribute to society because they will still have plenty more than most people. Also, the extra money they are contributing will be helping someone who currently doesn't have enough to contribute to society at all. In the end they balance themselves out. The wealthy have a little less to spend while the poor have a little more, solving both problems
If no money was contributed to SS, then there should be no benefits paid. This would eliminate having to cut benefits to the people who have actually paid into the system their whole working lives.
Let me opt out!!! Keep what I have already put in and let me take care of myself!! SS is a horrible return on investment and is a sucker bet for the American people. Mandatory retirement education would serve people far better and prevent them from being dependent on the govt for their every need.
social security is very important and vital for retirees. it is unfortunate that this program has been ignored for the past 30 years.
Since SS has been the governments till. I propose they should find away to replace funds taken. We have put our trust in the government. and they have not kept their word.
the government spends on unnecessary expenses on stagnant projects they can put aside an amount to contribute to the well being of the social security since all the money is contributed thru employment
I don't trust the government to put any increase for SS to SS. They tend to put the money in the general fund and use it for other things. That is what got us is this mess in the first place.
I understood that the Govt has,at time, usedfunds in the Soc Sec fund. If true, has it always been repaid, and with interest? Also, are Soc Sec funds invested in the most profitable and least risky investments?
senior citizens are vulnerable, the government and the citizens should assist seniors in all ways to help them in the golden years, as most civilized countries in this world do.
Assuming that high income earners will have other sources of income at retirement age is WRONG. Many baby boomers had great jobs most of their lives but have been thrust into retirement age poverty due to several serious issues in the past 15 years such as investment stock drops, housing inflation and subsequent drops, loss of home and retirement funds due to age discrimination in the workforce.... ETC... If Social Security is the ONLY form of a person's retirement, there should not be a CAP ... it should be based on what was put in to Social Security.
I had questions about who is actually drawing money without paying into the system. Also, why is congress not on the SS system and currently receive benefits that apparently have no worry of running out.
Increase the rate for higher earners over $250,000 per year, by 5%. Then raise the amount workers can earn that are receiving benefits to at least 25,000 per year before they begin to lose benefits. Then cap benefit amounts at twice the minimum to ensure people who truly need the benefits are receiving them, and not the people who don't.
Why is there no mention about congress exempting themselves? Where is the reduction in their pay and increase in their taxes?
All I want is to have the United States of America the richest and strongest country in the world! Thank You.
In the SS office I see many that have never paid into the system and are very young getting benefits. Why is this allowed.
On second thought the only way I see to keep Social Security solvent is to tax every person's income with no cap on that amount.
Cut the fat in places that have always been waste. Put that fat into our SS System. Quit coming up with ways to kill elderly off. We spent billions to help people live longer. Stop that money in research and put it in SS.
The congress needs to return assets it took from social security fund for non social security issues, even if it has to come from their salaries
We should stop giving Benefits to Aliens that have not contributed for at least 20 years prior to collecting Benefits, and no benefits to illegals or Countries by Totalization Agreements. Eliminate SSI for all under the retirement age.
Reduce disability fraud. Eliminate disability payments for children.
Benefits should be adjusted for married couples who both worked vs single worker or married couples with only one worker; as the dual wage earners would need less benefits to pay rent/mortgage for shelter, while the single wage earners would need more benefits to pay for rent/mortgage.
There are too many individuals getting social security based on incapacity to work.... those should be reduced to who really are incapacitate to work and grant based on what they worked.
If this can be done in less than an hour why can't our government take care of this! Why are they elected and paid good money to not make decisions and compromise for the greater good.
Get more young immigrants into the country. This will reduce the short fall. Look on what Merkel is doing in Germany. She excepts 1 million immigrants a year. Taking the size of Germany this would mean 4 million immigrants for the USA. Most of these immigrant will greatly benefit the society.
too many young people on SSI for disabilities
I realize this is a look backwards, but it sure feels as if several someones dropped the ball on social security. It has been a known quantity as to how many people are affected, so why is there a massive shortfall, and why are the people having to pay the consequences? It was okay to take the money at the time it was earned with the understanding that it would be set aside "for later", but now we are being told that it will likely not be there? It is hard enough making ends meet now, and the future is looking like a scary place. I worry what will happen if I am unable to work but still need to in order to maintain a roof over my head.
you never accounted the qualified people that put money in and died early, that money went back to the pool to be dispersed to help the short fall and the family of the dead did not benefit from that hard earned money put in for years and never given back to family. Its almost a free donation or stealing.
I believe that eliminating the s.s. payroll cap. would solve the shortfall problem. I also believe that people who have not paid into social security should not receive benefits. Don't use social security funds for other short fall in the government's spending on other issues.
Politicians should not use the term "entitlement" when they talk about Social Security. For those who paid into it, it is a "benefit." It is insurance that we purchased, the same way we purchase health insurance or car insurance.
IT IS WHAT MY MOTHER ALWAYS SAYS... WHY WAIT UNTIL IT IS A CRISIS? LESS BIRTHS AND LONGER LIFE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED OVER NIGHT.
What happened to the excess that Congress spent about 20 years ago? This will always be a question of whose ox is being gored.
SS was originally designed to be one part of an American citizen's retirement income. The other two were company pension and individual savings. Since company pensions have all but disappeared and it is almost impossible to save anything today, SS has become the ONLY retirement income for many. It also expanded to disability benefits and aid to dependent children, taking on more of a welfare program than I believe it was originally intended to be. Fix some of that and it might help the shortfall.
Social Security should never have been put in the general fund. It was never meant to be there. It should stand alone as a special fund. It was solvent until it got put in the general fund. We got ripped off when this was done.
there are other programs that need to be looked at where people are frauding the system. these need a hard look and the money used elsewhere.
You didn't include anything about eliminating social security payments to people who never contributed to the system. That should reduce a substantial amount of what is paid out every year. The government also needs to separate social security funds from the general fund - as it was initially set up - and not commingle those funds with the general fund. The government "borrowed" our money from the SS fund. They need to pay it back.
I really do not know how to say this but I think people that make five hundred thousand or better should not get to receive s.s.. It would help people who need it more than a millionaire .
Do not increase the retirement age from 65 to 67..no way..I don't agreed...it is hard enough making it to 62.thanks
Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. When it was implemented, the average life expectancy was lower than the age at which benefits would begin, so it was solvent because people died earlier. It can't be made solvent now.
I just hope they still have social security when I retre
Some people haven't been able to work 30 years of their lives. So I feel they would be penalized.
Take away the 35% penalty for gov pensions. I paid into the pension just like a 401K and should not be penalized. I should be entitled to what I paid into social security not less. I would like to see others penalized like that and see what would happen. It is very unfair to treat gov. workers this way, especially law enforcement employees who have to go to work wondering if they will make it home during each shift. No other employee has to go to work with a gun every day to protect citizens and themselves and who are willing to sacrifice their life for another. It is shameful that law enforcement officers are penalized 35% of social security because of a pension. I worked 26 years in the private sector and I still get the 35% penalty with 15 years in law enforcement.
I currently receive Social Security, along with 2 very small pensions.. I live month to month. This year there was no COLA, however my housing payment and other basic bills increased.. The government needs to keep it's paws off Social Security.. It is not a fund that they can dip into to finance other programs!!! If they paid back the money they stole from Social Security, there would be no problem.. Also, all those fat cats in Washington need to pay into the system too and not have special privileges.. There should be no wage cap. That will help some. Also, all these illegal immigrants coming in should not be receiving any benefits..
The government needs to cut back on other programs in order to pay back with interest the money that was borrowed from Social Security years ago. The government robbed from Peter to pay Paul and never paid Paul back. Also, those entering the work force in years to come will be fewer because of abortion which took the lives of prospective wage earners!
Absolutely no Social Security benefits unless you have worked to earn them. Absolutely no benefits to people who are in the U.S. illegally.
I believe the SS shortages should be covered by lowering our welfare and giveaway programs by 10% per year for 10 years. Take whatever is needed to shore up SS and apply the rest to lower our national debt and educational programs to put Americans to work. Possibly offer financial incentives to companies, large and small based on their percentage of increases in labor force.
It's a shame individuals working and paying into benefits have to wait years to receive a hearing or benefits
I think the Republican party needs to rethink who they are. President Eisenhower was the last honorable Republican. He warned of the perils of becoming an military industrialized complex. He also warned of mortgaging the future for today. The party has completely ignored his warning. Presiden Nixon "borrowed " from social security, you have raided this money and foolishly spent the people's money. Abraham Lincoln is spinning in his grave. Benjamin Franklin said it best. Only a virtuous society can sustain a democracy.
For those people who earn well above the max limit use their benefits to reduce their taxation rate.
I think all people should be able to receive the amount paid in. We the tax payers provide a life for criminals that exceeds many Americans! I think it is a shame that tax paying Americans are facing this problem, congress should have planned ahead & had a plan in place by now! I bet congress is exempt from this whole situation.
It would be interesting to know how the SS budget will be affected after the baby-boomers, myself included, are deceased. Would it cost less to care for retirees into the years after 2060? Do you publish the results of the survey?
This is a very serious and delicate topic. I am not sure what is the best answer to find a solution to this problem. I don't think it is fair for those who have worked hard and saved to be penalized because others may not have enough to survive. Then, I understand that some may not have enough to live on and something should be done to help. Or they should've thought about it and plan for their future when they started working.
Allow some percentage of SS taxes to go to investments with long term potential, If. I'd been allowed to invest what I paid in SS and medicare--I'd have millions!
We need to stop dipping into SS funds to balance the budget, and we younger workign age people need to pay more to help our elderly, we will all get there in the end.
I think the short fall of Social Security is going to be a tough issue to solve. I hope that Social Security is still around for our children and our grandchildren.
The funds that were "borrowed" by the government should be paid back with the the standard interest rate of 25.99%. The Funds that are paid into the Social Security Fund should be subject to collecting an interest rate of no less than 8% per quarter which would reduce some of the short fall.
The social security system is broken and needs to be fixed. The government wants to raise the retirement age in hopes that some of the recipients will die without receiving benefits. The low to middle class workers pay taxes on all of their wages and higher class workers should do the same. That is fair.
Transfer money from the general fund, put back what Pres. Johnson took from the SS fund in the 1960's.
Raise the retirement age to reflect the health and physical well being of people as they are today, not as they were in 1935
Fixed questions tie the hands of the respondent. The financing problem needs to be solved now. I would : eliminate any cola; raise the retirement age to 70 now; and raise payroll taxes with the stipulation that no benefit increases accompany them. As these actions, and others, eliminate the shortfall, consider opposite actions only when the demography ratio stabilizes over the coming decades.
I think that SS is a result of all the other issues going on right now...such as illegal immigrants taking citizens jobs and not paying taxes and having food stamps and welfare to support them. Why not focus on getting citizens jobs that way all taxes would be paid and help reduce debt and hopefully get the economy back to where it needs to be. I don't think that elderly people should be punished after they put in their hours for the past 30+ years. Then to read that you may have to work even longer just to get your own money that you paid into SS back and not even enough to live a normal life. Not only that if SS runs out before you are old enough to retire, should we expect a check for all the money we paid into SS that is owed to us? This whole situation is frustrating enough that it makes you think twice about doing the right thing. I have worked 2 jobs for almost 12 years trying to pay my bills, not be on food stamps, welfare or get any government assistance, while many people just use the system and it makes you think...well if they not working, eating better than me, have a nicer car than me and have a house...why should I?!
Cola should keep up with inflation!! Money that was used for other government projects should be replaced by the government and then we would not be in the situation we are in. Totally irresponsible government use of money that wasn't there's!!!!
It's wrong for politicians to raid the SST for use for other purposes.
I learned a lot more information about this issue as a whole from taking this survey. I worry about getting older and having enough money for retirement. I will have to rely on SS to supplement my 401K when I retire, and I plan on working until I'm 70 to maximize my benefit and length of return. I consider myself lucky that I have options and time to save. But it's an unknown as to what issues I may run into when I reach my 60s, 70s, and 80s. Really high medical costs and limited income, cause many elderly to live under the poverty line or rely on family to assist them. If more education were available for planning and options, this may help alleviate the load on SS and senior citizens' dependence or short falls.
You didn't offer making the tax progressive, meaning very high earners pay a larger %age of their income to the program, along with the employer match. I would strongly opt for this approach, maybe beginning with earnings over $200,000 or so. Without giving a higher payout to these people upon their retirement. Surprised this wasn't among the options.
VOTE FOR BERNIE! Raising the cap on wages subject to social security tax, while it will help solve the shortfall - the fact that persons with an already higher lifetime earning will receive more benefits should be looked at and a solution to balance this found.
we look forward to some increases each year we haven't seen any lately. we spend more and more on medicine and doctors than ever before.
There are a lot of people who are not paying SS but will be getting it anyway due to disability or fraud. These people should be sought out and stopped.
I don't believe that a person who is wealthy and worked hard to were they have gotten in their finances should pay for others or be taxed as if it is a form of payroll. Maybe you can have a donation option voluntary where they can contribute towards those that are disabled or vets. Also this problem would not have occurred if Social Security was not mishandled.
Provide for those who earn income through other means than a payroll check to contribute to the fund, as an example, a small percentage increase on Capitol Gains income.
Put the money back into the trust fund not the general fund, policatons spend everything and give worthless iou's
Nothing is mentioned about the repaying of money taken from the fund to pay for our Wars under the Bush regime. We always seem to have money for others countries while we never pay back Social Security. This money would go a long way in making the fund solvent.
anyone who does not pay into S.S. should not receive benefits
Eliminate early retirement at age 62. Start it at age 65.
Get rid of the cap. Those who make that much money should be contribute. It is morally correct.
Social Security is extremely important to keep protected and solvent. It should NEVER be privatised and Wall Street should NEVER EVER manage or touch its ability to benefit retirees and the disabled. The rich need to contribute more than we do and the richest individuals can afford a significant tax hike without ever batting an eyelash. Employers and the self-employed, on the other hand, can enjoy a bit of a lower contribution, however, in the interests of keeping industry solvent without scaring them out of employing... especially considering they have dire need of paying the lowest earning individuals (generally) more according to local cost of living. The way to solve this is to get them to dump more money into the bottom of the economy in this way, taking a hit to the ability to raise executive salaries and pay executive bonuses and reallocate the funding to non-executives in an appreciable trickle-down effect. Currently, that is only optional (and undesirable for them). Finally, Medicare shouldn't be privatised either and if we can come up with a surplus while fixing the shortfall, that surplus can be used to expand medicare coverage to everyone (on top of putting price controls in to all sectors of the healthcare industry to keep costs controlled... which need to be done better anyway. The existing Medicare Allowable alone isn't enough).
Please stop borrowing from social security and pay back what you have borrowed. Check on those claiming disability when they are not.
It's not the amount of money It's how it's spent....robbing Peter to pay Paul
Population decrease is only one possible theory and it is used to project 40+ years into the future. Population growth is cyclical and could increase in coming years. Cost of health care could be solved if Medicare were better managed with greater cost-effective participation within the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Health care and Pharmaceutical costs are already bloated with inflated upper management salaries. Lowering or eliminating elderly health care costs would therefore lower the need for higher social security payouts.
Have the Federal government pay back all the money they borrowed from Social Security.
Somehow base benefits on need. If your annual income if over 500.000 annually, do you need ss?
People worth over one million $ should donate it back to Social Security. It was supposed to be an insurance, correct?
Put term limits on all elected offices and no more insurance for them for the rest of their life. Use that money to help with the shortfall!
I think there are other areas that are available for cuts. We have major fraud issues and we have to somehow collect taxes from un-documented workers. Collect social security from these people.
The government should've let Social Secruity alone and not borrow from it.
Social Security paid over $150,000 to give my mother a new heart valve at 84 - three weeks before she died. The operation was bad for her and us, but good for the doctors and hospitals who are skimming billions, and not fulfilling SS's original purpose. They knew she would die, but wanted to get what they could from the system before she was gone.
I realize that saving money throughout one's working years and investing it would help many be in a position of not relying solely on SS benefits. I've done it and can't understand why others can't. Perhaps I shouldn't have even responded to this poll.
All citizens should be taxed equally regardless of income No one should be able to receive more money than they contribute. Citizens should be able to opt out from social security and manage their own retirement planning. It's not the governments job to manage our pocketbook. Personally I would like to receive a refund of all my social security and Medicare contributions and opt out of the program all together. Why try to fix a broken system it obviously doesn't work. They need to end the program completely, this will stimulate the economy bc people will invest their savings I'm of the age that the social security shortfall will affect. I'm outraged about the situation and there will no doubt be an uprising if my generation gets scammed out of our money. People do not trust the fed bc of situations like this. The Feds need to stay out of my wallet and let me keep all my earnings and pay a flat tax rate like everyone else in the country.
It has seemed unfair that when a retired couple, each collecting social security, experiences the death of one of them then the remaining spouse is supposed to survive on just that one remaining monthly check. For those in the lower end of the spectrum especially, even one person surviving on one benefit check is not possible. My wife and I had to take in her dad when her mom died...his check did not come near to covering food, car payment, rent, and bills.
For me the most important change to be implemanted is removing the cap. EVERYONE pays ALL year long regardless of amount of insome.
Elderly people spend less on most purchases except health care. Reducing health care costs would be more beneficial to their quality of life than increasing social security benefits.
Social Security was never intended to take care of ALL expenses of a retired person. It is, you know, called "Social Security SUPPLEMENT." Those are not just words.
Our politicians borrowed from SSI multiple times. They should figure out how to pay it back and there probably would not be a shortfall.
SS /Disability benefits be paid to only those people who have met the work requirements. Disability payments should only be paid to those whe were hurt on the job. !If it did not happen on the job, no money!! No ! one else period.
Consider a voluntary (by the recipient) reduction of benefits, but make the reduction tax-attractive.
The devil is always in the details. If Soc Sec is extended to cover more high income individuals and income from all sources, it will also have to deal with the fact that in some years these individuals have a net loss. Would the current proposals deal with that effectively?
social security should be a safety net not a retirement plan. savings plans should be rewarded with income tax credits thus encouraging all to create their own retirement plan. retirement education in the schools is a must.
end social security and switch to a private version of the product thus removing the government involvement
It's a no-win situation for the next 30-40 years. However, when the baby boomers are out of the equation, assuming growth level stays flat, there should be less people utilizing benefits, which would impact the S.S. outflow. (Theoretically there could be an equilibrium achieved).
Every time I go to the Social Security office I see very young people there. I feel we are giving too much to people that are not really disabled. I have heard the same comment's from people that work for the Social Security System. I want to see reductions in welfare, food stamps and get people to work for a living.
Retirement age should be lowered to 60 so young workers have a chance to get jobs, thereby helping the economy and boosting the social security fund. The minimum social security should be at or above the poverty level. Social security should replace unemployment.
Remove the cap on income taxed. The wealthy have been taking an unfair amount of the benefits in our society.
To further reduce the shortfall, Congress should take any surplus and put a percentage of it into Social Security, not WASTE it on foolishness aka: Pet Projects or stupid studies. Another way to save S.S., or AT LEAST 'Shore it Up', is to take taxes and not GIVE AWAY money to other countries, especially those who want to see our failure.destruction!
Washington seems to have endless money to hand over to immigrants, their extended families, etc. while the rest of we retirees, elderly and not in good health are suffering and barely getting by, a definite slap in the fact to all good citizens who have worked all their lives and are trying to scrimp and save, totally dependent on Soc. Security, not all of us have pensions, stocks, or other income. There are so many of us suffering yet all we hear is billions of money being given to other countries, most of whom despise us yet have their hands out, and the monies disappear with no accountability, probably into the pockets of corrupt regimes, never helping out the hapless, needy and oppressed people for whom it was intended; if we were not so cavalier with these monies and more reponsible and diligent in demanding accountability, perhaps we could stand a ghost of a chance to eliminate the imprudent spending of money we all have contributed as citizens, supposedly secure in the knowledge that Soclal. Security will provide a safety blanket for our later years, unable to work, health issues and even basics, housing, etc. I have friends who are eking out a living, rents are through the roof, ditto for purchases of homes, insurance expensive as well, drugs outrageously expensive, why are these companies permitted to gouge the needy public who can not afford these meds, some of which are life saving. Guess the answer is "we have to keep the drug companies satisfied and the rest o
EASY FOR ME TO SAY BUT DIFFICULT TO FACE WHEN THE LEFT STARTS TO FIGHT IT WITH THEIR STRAW MEN EXAMPLES.
Eliminate fraud and abuse. Stop allowing non qualified participants collecting social security and SSI. Stop taking funds from Social Security.
Starting at a certain date to be determined later, start allowing those who started working before 18 to have a credit towards their Social Security benefits added to the credit earned after 18.
Have congress members upon end of service have the same requirements as average citizens when it comes to retirement and social security rather than their very costly plans. If social security is good enough for us and they can not seem to find a way to fix the issue then they should suffer with the rest of us.
Medicare should be 100% free for all services, medicines, procedures, without co-pays. Living month to month on Social Security alone, for 3 years, with no COLA raise, while prices go up is intolerable.
The loop-holes for non-US citizens ability to claim benefits need to be addressed. People who have not earned the benefits, should not be allowed to receive them.
We should just work to eliminate Social Security. Its a fraudulent ponzi scheme that should be gotten rid of.
Keep payroll taxes the same as now for all those earning $250,000 for a single person with no child obligation and $350,000 for a married couple.
stop borrowing monies from the social securities coffers this is monies the American people worked for
People on Social Security need a monthly income they can live on especially the ones who have paid in for 30 or more years.............
The highest earners, over $350,000 should not get as much Social Security.
The government should not be allowed to touch the Social Security Trust Fund.
I think that finding a solution to creating more jobs in this country for our youth who are spending a tremendous amount of money on college and actually having a job upon graduation should be looked at also.
Gov't should stop paying lifetime pensions to those congressmen who only serve 2 terms
Using cut and dried numbers does not truly address the human factor. Especially for the lower middle class and below. It also doesn't address the social security taxation of the hundreds of millions earned in "non-wage earnings", e.g., capital gains, interest, dividends, deferred compensation in stock, etc.
Most seniors living strictly on social security are living in poverty
Why not use a portion of a tagging license for dogs to be used towards Social Security?
How about eliminating welfare. housing and health care benefits for illegal aliens. Stop all foreign aid. Bring manufacturing back to this country. Stop all benefits for aliens, legal or illegal.
Stop giving money to countries that hate us. Checkbook diplomacy must stop.
To think about a shortfall is just mind blowing. Thanks for allowing me to take this, I hope it helps!
REALISTICALLY , I THINK MOST PEOPLE ARE AGAINST RE-DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH, BUT BOTTOM LINE THE TOP 25% SHOULD PAY HIGHER TAXES ESPECIALLY INTO SOCIAL SECURITY.
Keep it protected from the damn politicians so they can't touch it!!
Income taxes could be eliminated by having a across the board sales tax of a percentage that we the people decide on. It can be raised and lowered to reflect our spending needs. When taxes are raised to cover certain costs , the sales tax rate can be lowered when our commitments are reached. Shortfalls in Social Security benefits will always be funded. Regulating and curbing the power of the IRS will benefit all of us.
There are so many people coming over to America and working "off" the books, therefore they are not paying social security taxes (or any taxes for that matter). There has got to be a way to make changes so people want to do the right thing (I don't know how to word what exactly I am thinking). Too many people are getting benefits and they have not earned them. It's not just the employees fault for getting paid off the books it's just as much the employers fault, they are not being truthful about their business. Things have got to change, we are in desperate need of change.
Force the govt. to pay back the money they have borrowed for other expenses. They have stolen the money and that is criminal.
the fact is seniors need even more especially the ones that only get social security benefits how can we not help them???
I kept thinking how important and special Social Security is to our country. It was one of FDR's greatest innovations. It is one of the few social safety nets we have in our country and it must be preserved. In an era of greed among the 1% we need to protect the poor and less fortunate in our country. Policies that trick the poor into supporting cuts in their welfare are more than bad policy they are immoral and anti-American. I hope all people see the value in Social Security and make sure that our government protects it for future generations.
All US citizens should be on the social security system including elected officials and government employees.
An evaluation of who is receiving benefits and why should be conducted.
Oh yes I worked my whole life since I was 14 I was became dsiabled and only made $ 728 month At 62 I was forced to take my SS $904 a month I am not get medicare till I am 65 So I was left disabled and no health! How does one who is been on SSI because I could not work any more and therefore I ended up on the welfare disabilty which made me retire at 62 but My SS was the lowest amount yet i made $4 OVER I could not get medicaid???? Come on
HOLD POLICY MAKERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SS FUNDS THEY RAIDED FOR SO THEY COULD DELAY THE TOUGH DECISIONS OR IN THIS CASE LEAVE THEM FOR US TO DEAL WITH. IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE.
How about raising the minimum number of years to qualify for SS for non-citizens.
eliminate the $117,000 cap. All income should be taxed
how about the very wealthly not collecting S.S. at all. Do not put into S.S. from the beginning.
If Americans cannot be fiscally responsible enough to save for their own retirement then the government should establish a program forcing them to. (And not have the middle class support the lower class). Similar to medical insurance. For example require automatic pay roll deductions or proof during filing taxes, to contributions such as IRA, 457, 401k and if an individual takes out early they would be peanilized. Unless they are a certain age, have over a certain amount saved or are getting a pension. lass). Similar to medical insurance. For example require automatic pay roll deductions or proof during filing taxes, to contributions such as IRA, 457, 401k and if an individual takes out early they would be peanilized. Unless they are a certain age, have over a certain amount saved or are getting a pension.
People should be educated throughout their lives that social security benefits are not meant to be the only method for saving for one's future. People should be taught and encouraged to save for retirement in other ways as well.
Greatly decrease benefits to top 10% of earners. IMMEDIATELY Stop payments to Cubans who have not worked in this country, and are playing us for fools- change that policy now so they do not get preferential treatment over other people who come into this country, and especially get more money than those who have paid into the SS system for all of their working lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By implementing some of the changes I think a lot of the younger generations are going to lose faith in the Social Security system itself. Which then may affect how they perceive and follow through with decisions for their future as a retiree, regardless if it helps the shortfall.
Why are individuals who have not worked-immigrants, Cubans, special groups assigned by congress getting social security?
Make it a felony to propose privatizing Social Security.
Folks 65 and older should not have to work anymore if they worked and payed into system 40 plus years!
Instill in all people the need to save for retirement no matter how low your income is
Why are elderly taxed on the little social security they receive?
Better control of disability. Abuse is rampant. When I retired I was fortunate enough to not need social security solely, however all I wanted was for the SSA to return the monies I'd paid in. No interest and no SS checks! Just wanted to be left alone. Less government!
I average about 6 figures per year and my pay is deducted 6.2%. If I were to double my salary and my pay was still deducted by 6.2% to pay for SS benefits, it would not make any difference in my lifestyle. Removing the cap is the way to go.
We need to find away to keep retirees at or above the poverty line, but must not force those who have been more blessed to shoulder all the burden
I think, as a teacher for 45 years, and still teaching……that "consumerism" needs to be added to the curriculum. PEOPLE REALLY DO THINK THAT S.S. is going to take care of them for life and they don't realize that they need to plan for 2/3rds of that on their own.
What about eliminating "double dipping"? This is especially true with public service workers, from police, firefighters all the way up to the senate, the house and the president. Truly this people are the most benefited by the system since at retirement they are compensated in full , by taxes paid by the rest of the citizens of our country, and surely they do not need Social Security benefits. It should be one or the other, otherwise it looks like the "political/ bureaucrat class" is above the rest of the citizens.
Thank you for this very important survey. I am complimented to be included. If importance of any issue is paramount, I feelthe COLA issue is most in need of being addressed. It should include items such as food and medical, the real world budget items that do go up annually and impact those of us who depend on SS income.
Take the welfare mentality out of social security.
Social Security should be protected so U.S. Citizens receive the benefits they have worked for all their life. People that have not met the work demands should not reap the benefits.
The people who just barely make $67000 are neither upper class nor middle class, and they are being subjected to all the costs. I do not think it is fair. I can't afford many things and work three jobs to just try to live a normal life. I think all of the policies should be targeted to those who can afford it. those who make way over 250000.
There is a bigger and bigger gap between upper and middle class. The people who make more than $300,000 should pay a higher percentage than someone who make $30,000. It should be comparative. Secondly, i could solve the entire nations debt problem. High sales tax on everything. no tax breaks. No income tax. Therefore the more you make, the more you spend, the more taxes you ultimately pay with no shelters. Even if you are new to our country, no breaks.
The problem with raising retirement age for some classes of workers is that some have more physical demands in their jobs and also learning new skills required for their jobs. So we need to be careful about this.
I see no real recovery from the 2008 fiscal crisis. Social security will be the ONLY retirement funding for many people. I just cashed in my meager retirement to finish graduate school.
Issues concerning SSBI, the shortfall that is approaching sooner with regards to the SSBI fund.
we should be at the current rate without a cap. if someone makes lots of money it is not a burden to continue to pay your fair share based on your large income. it solves all ss problems.
Decrease benefits for those that have not worked an still collect SSI checks.. so if on welfare either NO social security or a social security payment that is LOWER than welfare, so alleviate welfare system & give LESS to those that haven't contributed into the SS fund.
Frankly, I strongly feel that the wealthier corporations and wealthier people should be more heavily taxed than the lower earners (those who are not millionaires).
I currently work doing a lot of payroll for wealthy individuals and I do not understand why wealthy individuals are so adamant about not paying Social Security on over $117,000. These people have pension plans, 401K plans and have plenty of savings. They could live off of the interest and dividends, but they are so possessive of that Social Security benefit each month, when they don't even need it. And they complain when part of it is taxable when they file their income tax returns.
Young people are burdened with student loans and find it difficult to contribute to a voluntary retirement fund. It would be nice to have a program where employees who don't have a pension program could save for retirement without employers having to contribute. This would be in addition to SSI. Something like the teachers retirement program in Georgia which is probably one of the best managed programs in the U.S.
Make social security benefits in line with federal lawmakers.
The only one of the options I discovered that I felt very strongly about is the option to provide more assistance for the very elderly (80+) regardless of the present expected shortfall.
Public schools need to mentally prepare children to learn how to take care of themselves. Our society tends to flagrantly talk about what they govt. can give them instead of what they can do to be responsible for themselves. Social security is not there because politicians have already spent the money. The other reasons are total lies.
If the government would get rid of labor department help for the disable. because it's a waste of the tax payer money. and giving it to places like goodwill, who does not help people find jobs. that money could be used for the short fall. it's too many people saying they help the disable and don't. the goverment pay them for what?
My husband and I are both disabled and are receiving disability and have no other income. There was no cola this year and medicine went up. We don't do anything but attend church. I clip coupons and shop at Goodwill. We both worked all of our adult lives and are struggling.
It clearly isn't as cut and dry as some people make it out to be. As you play with people's lives so to speak, you really have to THINK about what's going to be best for every one and try to achieve balance all around. This is definitely something we need to get a hand on as a country sooner rather than later.
Social Security was not meant to be the only means by which Americans saved for retirement. I have heard throughout my working life that it was eventually (during my lifetime) going to face a shortfall, so I never thought of it as the only means that American workers had for planning for retirement. That being said, I do not think that it would serve any useful purpose for elderly Americans to end up destitute because present-day politicians do not wish to have to make the hard decisions of raising taxes or adjusting age limits. We are all in this together and everyone must give a little so that we can achieve a greater good for all of us.
The poor work hard labor jobs for little pay. There bodies brakes down faster. Don't cut their s.s.. They are suffering already.
We hear that illegals who have not worked are receiving social security benefits. Is this true?
It should be easier for immigrants to enter the country. They are typically young and work a lot, so they will augment the tax base while baby boomers are retiring, and help solve the shortfall
Earnings in the form of stock and excessive retirement packages from corporations need to be part of the payroll tax. Corporations that use disproportionate amount of independent contractors should have to pay into the fund as well
There are people whose income is derived from other than regular "earnings," and not subject to withholding for SSA benefits: People whose income results from returns on investments which are either sheltered from taxation altogether or not substantially taxed, compared to people earning income through employment. Yet these same "earners" still qualify for SSA benefits. I would not deprive them of the cash benefit, nor access to Medicare coverage, but the truth is that they probably don't need it at all.
Doing away with SS and allowing individuals to invest the same percentage of income the worker contributes and the employer into a private IRA. The government is not involved in the investing.
Congress has eliminated the social security "trust fund" Dedicated funds should go back to being dedicated. Also during the recent recession, congress forgave social security contributions for a period of time. They should be made up through extra contributions for a period to make up that shortfall.
What we need to do is eliminate benefits (SNAP, EBT cards, cell phones, welfare, etc. etc.) for ANY person who is able to work. Enforce our immigration laws and stop telling people that is OK to say "jobs Americans just won't do" There should be NO job an American won't do if the alternative is to take any form of public assistance. More Americans working means more money in the SS pot.
I think there are people receiving benefits that are not deserving. A more thorough procedure needs to be put in place.
I truly feel that retirement age should reflect the type of work that the individual does. Some jobs are much more stressful either emotionally or physically. Thus, affecting the individual's well being. In some cases an earlier retirement is warranted.
First cut all foreign aid 20%-- & countries thst hate us by 50+%. Next cut all elected officials in government by at least 15% & all retirement benefits past & present by 15%. THEY SPENT OUR MONEY WE PAID FOR 40 YEARS----PUT IT BACK---instead of cutting the eldrtly! Mske sure only legal Americans who have worked at least 20 years here qualify.
In a perfect world, there would be no SS shortfall. I recall that, as a school administrator, for three consecutive years I maxed out my SS contributions as early as October--absolutely ridiculous; truthfully, I was offended and would happily have continued with the deductions throughout the balance of the year in the interest of SS solvency. THERE IS NO REASON not to life entirely the salary cap; even now in retirement, I would not object to a SS tax o n capital gains as a further means of achieving solvency. You see: There really is no problem; rather, we are in denial about meaningful and relatively painless solutions.
Enforce the idea that Social Security is not to be funding for anything other than what it was designed for
What about the money our government has borrowed from social security? If they repay that money will it reduce the shortfall? The elderly are some of the most vulnerable people in our country. They should be able to live with dignity after they retire and I'm not talking about traveling or a lavish lifestyle. I'm talking about not having to choose between food and medicine or rent. I watched my grandmother go through this when I was a very young woman and it was truly awful. I also believe that the people who receive government pensions (congress, the senate, etc) should be like the rest of us who have to earn a living with no guarantee of a pension. We don't get to go to to work, NOT DO OUR JOB, and still have a job for YEARS!!!! Those asshats need to do their jobs or get the hell out and give someone who wants to work a shot at actually working. That is all. Rant over.
Concern about Illegal aliens having access to our social security system. In GA they have access to Medicaid for their children
Solving the social security problem is a difficult situation.
going through and separating welfare from social security is the real solution for this. make them separate taxes and funds. in the long term both systems benefit from a better balance and stability.
Are there individuals receiving Social Security who did not contribute? If so I would want to see an option to reduce or eliminate that cost.
When the unemployment rate is low, and more people are working, then more funds will be paid onto social security. Let's stop unemployment. Let's educate all so that the majority has higher incomes with the encouragement to save for their retirement.
If the money paid by employees had been left in a fund, drawing interest, instead of being used by the government, we wouldn't have such a big problem.
I think people that have worked for 40 years should receive every
I TOTALLY disagree with the status quo, which allows people who have worked at lower paying jobs to receive MORE benefits percentage wise than those of us who have educated ourselves and acquired higher paying jobs. The percentage of benefit received should be EVEN across the board.
The US economy must be resuscitated. If jobs were brought back from other countries and people had better higher paying jobs. That would help more than all these schemes. Eliminate stupid regulations restricting small and large employers. Reduce and redirect waste and FRAUD. Thank you for asking.
I've worked in what is consider lower class for many years and have had to go on disability and I believe that with the cost of living like being able to rent a place to live and pay household Bill's is so hard to be able to do that I'm at the point of being homeless which is very scary for me and don't know what to do not my fought I developed a disability and feel I'm being punished for it
Those making more than $200,000. a year should be putting more to support Social Security.
Please have SS for when I retire at 66 -70 years of age. Now 61!
Sell patriotic products, invest wisely, have money raising concerts
As people live longer, we must face the reality that we simply have to work longer and retire later in life. (versus today)
Social security taxes should be an option by each individual. There are other ways to save for retirement without mandatory election of social security benefits
Why was it touched in the past? If taxes is raised to continue it than give more tax breaks to compensate.
I actually think workers should be allowed to opt out of social security and pay into their own retirement.
It should be like a 401k account. Each person should have investment in their future with individual accounts. You have to pay in to get any out. You have a statement balance and statements to maintain. You also have to put a certain percent into bonds in case of a market crash. Welfare is already available for those who can't make it.
Close more loopholes in the tax code, and set up services that have charges to generate revenue. Heck, a government-run burger stand might just solve the problem. Also? Pour more efforts into energy solutions and use the taxpayer money to buy stocks in those energy sources for a regular pay out into social security. I understand elderly use such utilities stocks to prop themselves up when they can afford it because it pays them directly. Making that policy nation wide could help a lot.
It's a joke the money is there they need to stop feeding piggies and politicians pockets
benefits to go to those who contributed. Take the social security money out of the general fund and a handle it, and medicare on a state wide basis..not federal It has been funded by the taxpayers..it should go to the taxpayers who contributed.
I receive SSI because I am disabled, did not contribute enough to get Social Security benefits. I am very grateful for SSI for disabled persons.
Were spending too much on big goverment and not enough on education and poverty. Will it change? Not very enthusiastic about the future. Hilary and Trump? They both suck. Who will do the least amount of damage? Guess Hilary
My husband makes over the cap of social security taxed wages. We are by no means wealthy, we are middle class, possibly upper middle class by some estimations. In my opinion, he worked very hard to get his doctorate degree, paying a lot in student loans, he deserves to be able to keep his last $8,000/year to not be taxed with social security as his 'reward for hard work'. Especially around the holidays those slightly bigger paychecks are a nice thing to have.
I would like to have flat tax where everyone pays the same percentage
Government should recommend other retirement plan options from other sources such as banks that are reliable
Do not give any benefits to noncitizens of our county at all.
Now that I justreached 75, this is so much more realistic to me. Seriously thinking of moving to WI...my mom is 94 and lives very comfortably in her rent-controlled apt.,with many things included in her rent, including a lovely apt.bldg., well ;managed too. WI treats their elderly so so great.
I don't understand why US citizens have to foot the bill for extended families that come here to live and never put anything into any program. I understand that SSI is a part of Soc.Soc.and if it is connected, it should not be forever. The public can't support everyone and it can' be a tool for politicians to get votes by stretching the parameters and requirements. I was of the understanding that Ss is a supplement to income and not an evolving way of life!
Provide an option to not participate in SS! No payments in and no payments out! A Self Security Option, SSO.
Evaluate whether top earners even need social security. These people are living off of interest from their investments. Do they really need to collect on social security? Mind you, these are the top top earners, this shouldn't hurt the middle class that have worked hard to grow their 401k during their lifetime.
The survey does not pay enough attention to increasing revenue to the fund by making sure everyone who works in the USA pays into the system. That is, find ways to discourage businesses from hiring and paying employees under the table. (and abusing them in the process.) Also inversions are an issue. How can this practice be discouraged? How about making Federal and Municipal employees part of the system? Everyone should participate - no exclusions. Congressmen, Senators, Federal employees should not be treated differently!
get rid of the wind fall profit reduction created by regan if you have a pension.
We need our government to stop wasting money. This would probably save a ton of money and help cover a significant portion of the projected SS shortfall. We have too many duplicate programs and offices for various needs. Consolidate these overlapping and inefficient redundencies.
President Bush raided Social Security to find his illegal war. We should cut military spending and use the money in Social Security.
It's all very complicated, but I feel that we are all supposed to help each other and the more people with money give to those less fortunate (including elderly), the better off we will be as a whole country. We should all work together to help the greater good. We need sensible policies to help put this into place.
I personally don't want to see cuts for the benefits.
i THINK THAT PROGRAMS OFFERED AT WORK PLACES TO THE EMPLOYEES, SHOULD BE MANDTORY TO ATTEND, SO MORE WORKING FORCE PEOPLE WOULD BE AWARE OF ss BENEFITS.
Federal employees should be in on the plan and not have their own plan that they get to vote on.
Social security is just one more way the overbearing government infantilizes it's citizens, and forces a one size fits all policy down your throat with offering choice.
I firmly believe that Social Security is not at risk and we should be able to fix any shortfall with cuts in other programs and increases in revenue. Conservatives have been trying to cripple or eliminate it since it became law. For a so called Christian nation we seldom act Christian.
Invest the money in stocks, bonds, mutual funds annuity
One thing that is rarely, if ever, mentioned in the public discussions regarding Social Security is the federal income tax on benefits. The dollar thresholds were established in the early 1980s with the idea that only people who receive Social Security benefits AND have a high amount of other income (e.g., investment income, private pensions) would pay income tax on a portion of their benefits. For example, for a single person, the threshold was set at $25,000 (this threshold is used when calculating whether a taxpayer's other income plus half of his/her Social Security benefits exceeds the threshold; if this total exceeds the threshold, then some portion, up to 50%, of the benefits are subject to federal income tax). In 1983, $25,000 was a comfortable income for a single person -- I was earning only a bit more, and lived in Manhattan and could afford a large studio apartment on the Upper West Side. The problem is that the dollar thresholds have never been indexed for inflation -- unlike other federal tax items such as the tax brackets, the standard deduction, the personal exemption, etc. (The above-mentioned threshold of $25,000 is still the threshold for a single person, and there is another threshold of $34,000 for a single person, above which up to 85% of benefits may be federally taxed). As a result, given inflation since 1983 (when the first thresholds were established to tax up to 50% of Social Security benefits -- another threshold was added to potentially t
Everything is always based on projections and because of this we should not go 30 years between adjustments in the programs that many people will be relying on for their retirement. Additionally, I feel that people who currently are not paying into Social Security because of either a pension or other approved program should be given this option. there are millions of workers currently on pensions from their employer that are in serious jeopardy of being insolvent and those employees should be able to opt into Social Security, even if they would need to contribute at a higher %.
I don't think it will make it for my children? I don't know what it going to done about this in the future? I feel bad for the future generations!
I am of the belief that SS disability has some measure of fraud, particularly since claimants generally are represented by counsel but the SS program is not. A more robust process to reduce such fraud should have a net cost savings to the SS program.
I find it unfair that some people like the police and fire departments who pay into social security do not get what they are entitled to. If you pay into like everyone else you should be able to collect on it just like everyone else.
The majority of the baby boomers will be dead in the next 10-15 years thus reducing the number of people on Social Security. This, in itself, will eliminate the shortfall. Less workers now means less retirees later.
I have ZERO faith in our government to solve this problem. Zero.
I heard the government borrowed from social security to fund the wars we've had. They should pay it back and stop the wars! And somebody should look into prosecuting the liars who started them.
Only that most Americans do not save for retirement, not because they are lazy, but because they don't have the extra funds to do so. I am $70K in debt for my student loans and will be paying on these until retirement; thus, I've had VERY little ability to save and won't have much more over the next 20 years.
as a 29 year old female, I am expecting to not even get social security when I get to retirement age. so take that into account, that most of my generation and younger ones aren't expecting a whole lot, it may just be a small amount. we are focused on 401ks and money we have put away, or at least middle class and higher should be, I cant speak for lower income people.
Let the SS benefits float up and down with the amount of revenue available to it each fiscal year. When the payments go down that will cause the voters to force the Congress to address the issue instead of ignoring the problem.
Yes pay back the money taken from social security and not have DC official salaries taken from it and there wouldn't be a problem in the first place. Or give people more incentive to invest on their own and not depend on the government.
Tell our politicians to stop borrowing from the ss fund and stop with the pork barrel projects.
Privatization of social security accounts was not provided as a possible policy solution. Allowing workers to contribute their share of the current social security tax rate into a pretax ira or 401k account tied to that individual, would allow for current workers to "opt out" and have a greater retirement savings. The employer portion of the tax could still be used to fund current retirees or those currently promised benefits they have paid in for. Other ways to address the shortfall, changing from the income tax to The Fair tax/ sales tax. The more spending that occurs, the more funding received.
I think that raising the retirement age is not a great idea. Blue collar workers cannot continue to work 40+ hours a week into their 60's up to 70 years old. That is NOT retirement.
Top 10% of earners need to be taxed more and stop hiding their money in off shore accounts
Use the money we give to other countries to save Social Security.
alow peopl a chioce of when to retire. the longer they wish to wait the more in benifits they would get!
I believed in Social Security until they opened it up to use the stock market and lost our investments for us. This was very wrong and we could have done that or better if given the chance to spent our own Hard Earned wages. I believe that every working person in the United States should pay into Social Security and have the same insurance (Medicare and Medicade)
Stop borrowing from the fund. Tax ALL income, especially money earned from stocks, and capital gains. leave the retirement age alone.
I definitely think there should be no income cap. All income should be taxed for social security.
Stop paying social security to people who have never pay into it
Congressmen and women should have the same benefits as anyone else in their age group. It is unfair that they have other benefits bailable to them other than the ones that they are responsible for making decisions on.
This year there was no col raise in social security due to gas prices. However, prices in the grocery store continue to go up. So, my check doesn't go as far as it used to. That doesn't seem right to me.
Stop borrowing from social security. This is something we pay into and we expect to get it back
We are a country dedicated to taking care of each other so that no one is without an income, etc. Most people in my age group are not planning on social security, therefore the same people who will have collected govt supplements all their lives will ultimately be the only ones collecting social security. It's frustrating, but most people like me won't even mind.
Republicans love you if you're a fetus or a rich older person. The rest of us suffer.
I do think SS is necessary, but I would hope that people have more access to financial literacy information in the future. Not enough people know about basic budgeting, saving for retirement and how much they will need when they do retire.
This problem is of the "baby boomers" generations making. They have had decades to solve this problem by raising the retirement age slightly and raise payroll taxes slightly and they have done nothing about it. They have passed this problem onto future generations and it is THEIR generation that should be made to pay for these problems. They have pensions, 401Ks and savings, while younger generations have next to nothing and live paycheck to paycheck or below the poverty line. This is a baby boomer generation problem and that generations should be made to pay to solve it.
What about fraud? Illegal immigrants are receiving benefits and sending thmem to Mexico.
Another point can be made for businesses that are leaving the US reducing jobs, which equates to lower contribution to SS. Higher tax rates should be imposed on business that leave the US and choose to manufacture outside of the US, this addtl tax rate could create an excess for SS. It seems that no one feels the need to hit businesses for their portion, by leaving they pay less in labor, nothing to SS and pocket addtl profits.
The biggest bang for our buck would be to have no cap period! Let the sports celebrities, etc, pay on their whole salary (millions per year), they can surely afford it. This is my #1--no cap!
We should make a law that Social Security should not be dipped into by other spending by the gov. We should get the people in Washington to get a right mind set and do what they were sent there to do. Cut the special interest spending and cut over spending. I read once that the Pentagon spend a lot of money on a coffee pot. Would that money and any other things such as this be regulated so we could buy better armor for troops?
The cost of living raised should include the raise in the cost of supplemental medicare policies.
People earning at the minimum wage rate working 40 hrs week can barely get by now, taking more money off the top of their wages will only complicate things for them
Get rid of SS and allow people to save their own funds for the future.
all government employees should be forced into social security. when the cap is removed to make all earnings subject to tax, there should be a cap of say $200,000 on employer contribution
Reduce the Federal Government wages/benefits/retirements/and wasteful spending and fund SS. Starting with the President, Senators and congress.
My understanding of Social Security is that it was designed to be a safety net, not a retirement plan. Too many people see it as a retirement plan, which is a perception that needs to be attacked. People should be planning for their own retirement, and not be dependent on the government or their employer for retirement. Having said that I do feel that there is still a place for the safety net for the elderly, to help shore up any shortfall in their planning, but it shouldn't be the main plan!
No elderly or disabled should suffer. All options should be researched. Other options such as focusing on government waste and putting the savings in viable programs such as social security.
The govt should not be borrowing from ss
If we were adequately taxing businesses, we would not be in this situation. Any business who has moved its operations overseas or who have hidden assets should be fined the amount of taxes lost and this money recouped into the Social Security Fund. They are the ones hurting our country, not the middle to lower class earners who live from day to day. Even with healthy 401(k)'s, we a re at the whim of Wall Street.
If a person works for 30 years, they should be "rewarded" with benefits, and not just enough to get by.
Stop taking money from SS to pay for other things.
The government needs to raise taxes and pay back the 2.6 trillion that it has stolen from the Social Security Trust Fund. It is not the people retiring or the amount they are receiving or the amount they are paying that is the problem, IT IS A GOVERNMENT CREATED PROBLEM, BASICALLY A MUCH LARGER PONSI SCHEME THAN BERNIE MADDOF. The politicians line their pockets at the working class expense. FED UP
After a person dies, why does their money go into a general fund instead of going back into the Social Security fund ?
Put all the money that has been stolen from social security since 1965 back in and quit stealing it. Cut the welfare benefits by getting rid of the fraud. Why do some people on welfare get more money and value in benefits than those of us who work, when they can, but won't, work? I know people who are disabled and they have to jump through hoops for a pittance per month, while lazy leeches are getting three and four times, in money and other benefits,, than those who cannot work.
check disability claims..make sure the person is unable to perform any kind of work...maybe a small amount of training for a new type of work.
I would like a consideration to be made on whether self employed people should have to pay all of the employees matching benefits.
Stop the Goverment from stealing from the Social Security funds that have been paid in for years. We all know the Governt has (borrowed) from the funds but never replaced them.
It's changing drastically every year. I'm afraid how I'm going to survive when I get older.
Many retirees can barely get by on their SS check now. Raising benefits to the oldest of the old will only benefit nursing homes.
The salaries and suggestions were unfair... There was an area where $68,000 was considered the top 25% of Americans make that money. I believe a family of four struggles on a $60,000 household income and it seams as though the survey considered this ALOT of $. Also, Why the drastic increase from $117,000 to #215,000? Why not $140,000 or less? Seriously, if more people were working in America, we wouldn't be in this predicament. If College grads could all get a decent job, more money would be in the SS fund. America should make it a goal to have everyone making $117,000. This would solve the deficit.
The shortfall should be changed not by reducing benefits, but increasing taxes on Wall Street activity, not worker's wages. None of the proposals you have in this simulation are the correct way to handle it. Seventy percent of the GDP is consumer activity, and the other 30 percent is Wall Street speculative activity? Increase Social Security benefits from the latter. Leave the income side alone, or lower it.
Yes. Currently have retirement that is NOT based on social security, However, have worked part-time jobs that qualify for social security. Law passed stating I can only collect 40% of these benefits. I worked so should get 100%.
I think the 60 retirement for widows should be raised. Do away with programs where children under 18, with parents that are receiving Social Security, get a monthly check equal to 1/2 of the parent's check. Why? That would save a lot of money.
Equal cuts across the board for everyone, regardless of income or age. Implement a "vesting period" of 10, 20, 30, and 40 years
I think when Social Security was first introduced by FDR it was not meant to be the total retirement income for people but to help them out. The situation now is that is many people young and old do not have good financial skills to properly plan for the future. Maybe the politicians from both parties should work together so there more of a middle class and work on helping people not have to live paycheck to paycheck which in turn could help them save more for the future instead of telling them they can have the "American dream" and push them to spend all the money they have!
stop using social security to bail out other programs
People who are older paid in to social security in good faith that they would receive fair benefits. It isn't fair at this point to change that. Most people on social security struggle to pay for medication and food.
The most unfair aspect of SOC sec is when it comes to ssdi. It's your money that was TAKEN WITHOUT CHOICE yet , the lower you are on the social economic ladder, the harder it is to receive benefits. Even drs. I've dealt with agree it is a lot easier for people who get their benefits very quickly with seemingly no problem, leave the drs scratching their heads on who and how the system works
Considering that the past few years 50% of Americans aren't paying taxes tells me that MORE people need to get into the workplace. More people working = more taxable income = more taxes = more being paid into social security. The more we can eliminate Government/Social Programs overall the better off we will be as a society. We need to teach people to be responsible for themselves which includes, money, spending, investing, lifestyle, employment, etc. The more Americans we have working the more our country can/will grow which leads to more financial security and less poverty.
If the welfare community was made to work instead of collecting the check they would be able to take social security out of that program instead of pumping tons of money into the welfare program, I understand some need to be on it but not all of the people need to be on the welfare program
Phase out Social Security over the course of 60 years by reducing rates and benefits incrementally for new workers entering the workforce at age 16, until Social Security is eliminated at the end of the 60 year period. Engage in an intense educational campaign through schools and media which teaches these new workers how to provide for their own retirement with the money they are saving by not paying SS taxes. In the end, everyone who has paid in benefits based on what they have contributed, but eventually the bloated, inefficient system we now know is eliminated, improving life for everyone. During the phase-out, any shortfalls that occur from reduced contributions by younger workers can be supplemented by cutting waste and non-essential programs from other areas of the federal budget. At the end of the phase-out period, we will finish with the added benefit of a leaner and less intrusive federal government as well.
Start taking care of working people, vetrans and retires.
Tax incentives to save. Not tax incentives to go into debt. I.e...auto registration write offs as compared to savings. Or tax incentives to have a mortgage payment of less than 27% of income.
I am in favor of people working for whatever they are "Given". If someone is truly disabled, yes we as their country should provide care.
People must invest some other way during their working years and not depend solely on SS.
SS was a bad idea from the get go, but since we have been saddled with it for many decades, I do not want to see the SS tax increase whatsoever. Raising the age for benefits and slowing the cost of living increases is the only level headed things to do.
simply do away with it and invest the money
Yes Congress quit stealing money earmarked from social Security and Veterans to pay for illegals who have no business in this country and Muslim Invaders whom we are going to have a shooting war soon.
People become disabled/injured/sick BEFORE they've completed 30 years of work. Not by any choices they've made or through any fault of their own. So, why should they live in poverty the rest of their lives? The entire system is messed up and if you just eliminated the fraud alone would make a HUGE impact. Not to mention if you didn't punish people for being disabled and just helped them, that would make a HUGE impact. If you would sit down and actually talk to people living the situation you could learn so much.
Another possibility is creating tax breaks and instituting policies that encourage more people to have more children. Remember if the nation has more children to rely on to pay for the retirees benefits, that will also cover a large portion of the shortfall.
Provide an option that people can choose not to take their benefit or their increase and instead take it as reduction in their income tax.
Repay all the IOUs that were placed in the Social security pot over the years.
there is not a single solution that would make everyone happy. Approaching retirement, I am now 58, I have spent most of my adult believing that that Social Security would be broke before I was old enough to collect. With that thought in mind I started saving for retirement pretty much when I entered the work force. Maybe young people of today should be better educated to prepare themselves for their futures. Make it a known fact that SS is not meant to be retirement plan, but a supplement to each individuals personal plan. Maybe SS should receive less and mandate 401Ks or IRA or some new vehicle for pre-tax savings be a required deduction, where you get back what you actually invest. Instead of the workers of today, paying for the workers of yesterday. Let the workers of today cover themselves in the future.
My ideal solution would be to eliminate the cap and reduce the benefits paid to those making over $150-200K. They would get more benefits due to no cap, but they shouldn't need the same amount of benefits as they should be contributing to their own retirement accounts. Those with lower incomes don't have extra money after living expenses to actually invest for their retirement. If they did, they often lack the financial knowledge about how to do this. Older citizens also need extra help to cover their medical expenses and I believe giving them extra would appropriate. This would not be an issue if Congress hadn't been raiding the cookie jar and leaving IOU's. the money was designed to be in trust earning interest and dividends so that it would continually grow. But it is having the same issue as pensions that never had a trust where the money could grow and just relied on the company paying the money out as needed. Pensions are dying quickly, and so will social security if it is not fixed soon.
Stop congress from dipping into SS to solve budget problems
I think that money from social security should NOT be spent on anything or anyone that had not paid into this program, including entitlements. I think that if this had been done all along, maybe this shortfall wouldn't be so large. What is it about a large amount of money specifically set aside for a particular use attracts politicians go use it for something entirely different.
I just hope that our elected officials can come up with a solution thats right for everyone and not argue about it.
Congress has no vested interest in finding solutions for the Social Security System because they are not personally involved in it. I feel if there is ever to be meaningful change in the system, it would only happen should their immunity to these laws cease. Put congresspersons on Social Security - and watch their ability to find new ways to fix the system exponentially increase.
how many people who have not worked and contributed but are now receiving benefits from social security funds. This is a concern that I have witnessed first hand.
There should be a graduated plan for receiving benefits.
Is it possible/cumbersome to tie the retirement age to the type of employment? White collar/clerical workers should be able to work to a later age than those with physically demanding jobs.
Baby boomers living longer is a part of the shortfall in SS. The sins of abortions and birth control are the worst factors killing the population growth. Allowing illegal immigrants to take jabs while not paying taxes in the USA is killing this country. Handing out welfare to illegal immigrants and lazy people will do this country in.
I am grateful we still have social security and doubtful it will continue another 20 years
I have been working since I was 15 and I have paid into this for 20 years. I expect that this benefit will also be available to me when I reach 67 years of age but I do not feel that people should have to work longer (up to age 70) to receive this. The age should definitely be cut off at 68 or 69 yrs. I feel its important not to make social security a crutch for people to misuse this benefit. People of all incomes should be saving money in 401ks and other plans so that social security is a supplement and not their only means of income.
The wealthy should pay higher taxes because they can afford it. They should not be entitled to tax breaks or loop holes. It is necessary that they pay their fair share of taxes to keep social security intact.
some people need more benefits than others
Congress should leave the Social Security Funds alone. They should NOT be allowed to 'borrow' SS funds to pay for their other boondoggles!!!
There was no mention of the investment rate of the SS principle. Is there any talk of how to 'grow' the money that we put into SS? Investment? Simple savings? etc.?
If government would keep there hands out of till there would not be problem. Anyone who works should get their rightful share. I'm tired of upper crust having pay for other people's stupid decisions. I've worked all my life before getting a terminal illness and have no animosity towards upper crust. Not into raising age. If people want work let them but don't force them
The best and fair option would be to end or phase out SS and return all the money to those that paid in. Its a pyramid scheme and theres no fair way to fix it. There should be safety net to catch bottom 2 or 3 percent. Everyone else needs to get off their asses, work, save and plan for future. If you lowered all taxes everyone would have plenty to retire on without the government getting involved. Your survey should explore ways to eliminate SS!
The money that people put into social security should have been put away in a fund and not touched by the government, that is the people's money & the government needs to give it back!! I believe the shortfall should come out of all our government officials' pockets...congressman, presidents, senators, excetera! Whoever took the money in the first place was stealing from the American taxpayer!
Stop giving to those who have not contributed. Similar to the issue that there are some who get more money back than they contributed to Federal income taxes.
i WASN'T AWARE HOW UNFAIRLY SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS ARE DISTRIBUTED... AND IT IS ENTIRELY WRONG TO SUPPLEMENT EARNERS THAT DID NOT CONTRIBUTE AS MUCH WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE, THAN WHOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED MORE AND ARE EXPECTING MORE FOR THE AMOUNT THEY CONTRIBUTED... ITS WHY THERE IS A SHORTFALL, TOO MANY HANDOUTS TO THOSE WHO FAILED TO GET AN EDUCATION TO EARN A LIVING WAGE,,, NOW THEY WANT THE GOVT TO PICK UP THE SLACK BECAUSE THEY FAILED TO EARN ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES IN RETIREMENT,,, OR GOD FORBID ACTUALLY HAVE SAVED FOR IT...
Raising the age is unfair and unrealistic. The oldest old population need more assistance with living expenses, especially those bringing in less than $1000 monhly.
Why doesn't the government do a better job investing the money from Social Security for the recipient? If the money paid into the system only followed the average annual growth of the stock market then benefits for the recipients would be much higher percentage wise then they have been in the past.
Social security benefits should not be paid to retirees who make a certain level of income by other sources. Those that do well should be grateful. Social Security is a safety net and is greatly needed by the poor and middle class, and not needed by the wealthy.
We need to figure out solutions to the shortfall that do not lead to having our senior citizens who paid into Social Security living in poverty.
Why is there a cap? Many people are making good money and exceed that cap very early in the year.
We can stop giving tax dollars to lazy freeloaders which not only includes people drawing disability who are capable of working (if they can fish, play golf, etc. they can work) and stop giving our welfare. Single mothers should be required to have their tubes tied after no more than 2 children, though 1 would be more acceptable. We can also stop all the waste in Washington - for example, the per diem paid to federal employees is OUTRAGEOUS! Finally, we can stop illegal immigration, round up those already here illegally and send them back to where they came from, and stop letting every Tom, Dick and Harry come here to live.
It was hard not to view some of the arguments as being diametrically politicized. There were clear indications of "Democratic" vs. "Republican" ways of thinking. I feel this brought out bias in me considering the current polarized political environment.
Providing retirement planning information from an early age has not received much attention. Employees currently are required to participate in training on everything from sexual harassment to emergency plans. Retirement planning could be added to these yearly programs so that the message that social security alone will not provide the life you hope for after you quit working has a chance to sink in.
if we could eliminate the fraud in SS we would solve the problem. We have way too many people on disability benefits . WAY WAY too many with fraudulent disability claims. I mean cone on--disability for headaches?
It's frustrating to hear about this issue and the arguments on both sides. In reality, our society is becoming more and more dependent on other entities supporting them; A severe sense of entitlement. Retirement is an earned reward that you should be allowed if you can afford to do so. That position of affording to retire should be heavily based on a given individual's personal financial state, not the financial state that the government is offering to put them in. The matter is quite simple; if you want to "live well" in retirement, then plan accordingly well ahead of time.
There should be a flat tax rate across the board regardless of income. That is FAIR.
Eliminating fraud within the Social Security system should be a priority. There are other adjustments to benefits that should also be considered (automatic payments to children of retirees , etc.)
I have heard the the Federal Government has raided social security. If so, why is this not mentioned as part of the reason creating a shortfall?
I didn't really realize how complicated the issue was. But I learned something, and thats always a good thing.
Stop any social security benefits to people who didn't pay into it. It's ridiculous that people who've paid their whole lives don't get the money back because the government feels it's okay to raid it every time they have an idea that needs to be funded.
Legalize marijuana and use taxes raised for medical care, social security, and education
First make the government return all the money to social security that the so called borrowed. Secondly have legal American in the social security system (no special retirement plan for anyone in government jobs-president, senators, representatives, etc.)
Social Security is in trouble. Changes should be made soon.
Currently older people need more money as groceries keep going up
Congress needs to leave the SSA alone!!!!
Rather than just raising the percentage of social security taxes by the same percentage for all, the richest echelon of Americans should pay a higher percentage. Also, ALL income should be considered taxable, not just earned income.
All income should be taxed! There is no reason why someone with higher income should benefit from a cap! If we can overcome the deficit and have a surplus then we can reduce the retirement age and pay older retirees more if they are not in a high tax bracket! I'd rather contribute a bit more and reduce the age for retirement!
legalize immigrants that want to work legally. ..... they will replace the baby decline theory .....
People work hard their entire lives one day to be able to retire one day and live the american dream and social security is set in place to protect and guard that great american dream.
Have congress put back all the money they have borrowed from Social security.
The wealthy should pay way more taxes and the middle class making less than 150,000 should pay alot less. The money looks better on paper than a serves in the bank accounts to pay bills to live.
We need to take care of our elderly and increasing taxes seems to be the only way. The wealthy need to pull their weight as well.
SS needs to be fair. I think it is unfair for there to be a cap sheltering high earners when they will also benefit from the program. If they pay into it, and they should, then they should receive benefits. If they don't, then they shouldn't benefit - but that brings up universal or individually-electable privatization of SS. Which should also be on the table...
I do not agree with raising the years for retirement.
There wouldn't be a shortfall in the first place if the Federal Government would have kept their hands off of the money an used it for what is was intended for to start with, retirement.
6.2 + 6.2 = 12.4%. Social Security should not have a shortfall. Maybe it needs a new manager.
PEOPLE THAT HAVE PAID INTO SOCIAL SECURITY EXPECTING TO RECEIVE AS THEIR ONLY MEANS OF RETIRMENT SHOULD RECEIVE IT.
It's a very delicate and complicated situation. We need to ensure that people can take care of themselves in the later years but also have dignity in doing it.
I think eliminating the cap on salary from which social security taxes are taken is the single most effective option to address the shortfall.
There should be an Optional Plan that allows wage earners to contribute more if they choose to which would gain them more benefits-- Also if a wage earner is healthy and decides to continue working, his ss benefits should not be decreased, especially if they are still paying into the fund.. Perhaps younger folks should pay a less % in and older folks should pay more in and this would change as they got older.
People need to have the option of investing privately for retirement with the funds that would have gone to social security. This is likely to produce much greater return and support for them when they want to retire.
Social Security Disability benefits should be looked at closer.
The Social Security piggybank should be off limits for any other purposes other than retirement. There are too many sticky fingers reaching into this pot.
Put government workers on the SS like the rest of the people that would put more in to the fund and the government would not get into the funds
Repay the funds "borrowed" over the years
Make the Government pay back the money they stole from the tax payers. Social Security would have been fine if they did not steal the millions of dollars. Stop giving Social Security to the people that never played in to it, Welfare, Illegals, Dead Beats. What the millions that are dying from cancer that never collected. What about the property tax going up every year ? the car insurance going up every year? Health Insurance, my wife and I pay $795 a month. Our Insurance is $261.00 per month, Our property tax is $250.00 per month. Total of $1,306.00 This does not include the co-pay, medicine, food, ect.
Social Security should NOT be termed an entitlement. This is unfair and BOGUS! Income inequality is very real and affects the vast majority of the US population, with long-term adverse effects.
Do not use the social security for anything other then distributing it back to the earners. To much money is taken out for other things that do not generate revenue or payroll tax.
To help people over 80 increase the monthly allowance but not with the amount listed change to maybe $50 a month.
Is any body even talking about what the topic at DAVOS was the new industrial age of AI and robotics and it effect on the working class
Do not use SS money for anything else but SS.
Social Security did not get a COLA this year and i had about $60 taken out of my SS check because when you added in the exempt money to what i made last year, i made over $80,000. I need all the money i am entitled to.
Thanks for the info, i found this informative.
The benefit schedule should change over time. So when an individual enters the workforce they know the age they are expected to get to for full retirement or early. Let them plan for it. Don't makes changes along their life path. Changes are easier to be make when you know the rules from the beginning not having the carpet pulled from under. Knowing retirement could be 68 -70, one could plan. Don't hurt the employers who we need to hire the employees to keep the economy moving forward. Perhaps there could be an opt-in or opt out option of SS. This is another whole analysis but could help SS to be so heavily counted on for retirement. People need to learn how to save just like the older generations knew.
The early retirement age should be raised to 65. More people are retiring early because they do not want to wait for the extra years to full retirement. Also non retirement related benefits should be examined,
I believe America has been living on credit for too long. Business and citizens should pay taxes commensurate to the benefits we enjoy as Americans. One of the reasons America does not enough to pay for roads, bridges, schools, Soc Sec...etc. is because Big Business has not paid their fair share of taxes. Currently, Business has about 2.1 Trillion dollars stashed overseas. What could America do with that money. Endless tax cuts to Business and Citizens has bankrupted America.
Reducing the Defense budget would help all sorts of government programs. People first, war last!
Social Security is extremely important and every effort possible should be made to sustain it and give retirees the amount of income that sustains a quality of life they had as working adults.
I know that some people are on Supplemental SSI and are limited to how much they can make.. there should be no limit on how much they should be able to work and earn and be able to still receive the maximum benefit of the program their in since they are qualified to receive such liable benefits income from social security income since cost of living rent etc keeps going up seems to be no limit on bills just for living.
While completing this survey it came to my mind several times that many people who earn higher wages have a higher education and those people had to pay for that education in some way, so they have basically earned the right to higher SS benefits. While their are also a lot of people on the Welfare system that are receiving benefits for extended periods of time, when they should be getting jobs which would increase the money going into the economy.
I have a father who is one month away from retirement, and I am only 36. I have many friends and co workers that are in their 50's and 60's, and I truly don't believe that SS will be around when I retire. And I truly don't believe that any money we make up (taxes, etc) that were in this program would stay just for SS benefits. I believe the coffer would be raided for whatever fund Congress wanted. One member of Congress makes more than 3 of my employees in one year. Who works harder? My guys. Who will get the benefits? The Congress worker. Back to my original point, I don't believe I will have anything other than what I save up for when I retire, whenever that may be. And as a society, we work for so long, we should be able to enjoy some times in our lives, but many seniors cannot afford their medications much less their daily food bills. My grandmother's medications cost $400-$600/month. Her electric bill in NY is $800/month. Where will she move to? Another city that has contaminated water?
Social Security was never meant to be ones only retirement. The idea that one should live on it is not realistic. More emphasis should be given to those starting out in the work force; that the responsibility for your future is not the government. A small set aside S.S. will not be enough for you to relie on. When anyone starts out today, all benefits should gradually be reduced and many offers of savings should be offered. At some point the social security we know today should disappear.
Dropping the ceiling on deductions is good but with that make a maximum monthly amount (cap) paid to recipients. Doing this maximizes income and regulates payout. Thereby the higher earner supplements the lower earner.
To continue SS in the future, cuts have to be made - and revenue has to increase. TO ME IT SEEMS AS IF IT ONLY MAKES COMMON SENSE.
Is it legal to invest the social security fund? Why can't the methods of Warren Buffett be used to increase the social security fund? There must also be other alternatives that could increase both the capital and gains. Couldn't these also be explored?
I was surprised to learn that higher earners got back a lower percentage of their lifetime earnings.
Social Security is not intended to be 100% retirement program. Society needs to relook at multigenerational and group living for seniors and low income. Why should individuals not pool their income - roommates in college and as seniors.
Privatize Social Security, Get the government out of it!
I personally find it to be quite unfair to require people to work well into their 60's, 70's, and perhaps even their 80's, as described in this simulation. According to the information used in this study, many people including minorities, and low income workers, do not live as long as wealthier people, and therefore, their retirement years would not be so robust, or enjoyable, if they were dealing with Chronic Illnesses, and lower benefits. I believe much more needs to be done, to make things more equal, and so that the "Retirement Years" can be something that people can look forward to enjoying. I truly hope that something will be worked out, and people will have something again, to hope for, and look forward to, while they are still healthy enough to enjoy the latter part of their lives.
Social Security is a lifeline for so many retired and elderly people that it is critical to keep the system functioning well and prevent bankruptcy.
People should not receive less money than what they were Forced to pay in. People should not only receive 100% of what they pay in, but actually they should receive more, because if the money had stayed in their hands, it would have been more valuable to them at that time as compared to when they receive it during their retirement age, mainly due to inflation and the possibility that they could have invested that money themselves. My proposal would be to cut defense spending buy at least half, close down at least 75% of the over 900 military bases around the world, cut all foreign aid to countries who do not need it (Israel especially), and use these funds to make the social security fund 100% solvent and able to pay every individual at least 100% of the money which they have payed into the fund. At that point, I would pay out each person's portion of the fund in full, and then shut down the social security system immediately.
Social Security is an issue that has actually turned me ageist against Baby Boomers. As a member of Generation X, I have felt it extremely unfair that the amount of money that we are paying into SS is going to members of society that seem ungrateful for the work that we are doing. It is a harsh and irrational feeling, but these are the types of feelings that sway policy. At the same time, the American government made a covenant with its citizens that we would be taken care of when we age. It is that promise that makes me happy to be an American. It is with that promise in mind that I look to the wealthy to do their part to help Americans live in dignity by giving what they can.
Congress has continually pulled money from Social Security fund to off set the national debt. STOP doing that!!!
Make congress pay back what they "borrowed " from s.s. to start with. Then make the funds off limits for anything except thier intended purpose. The cola increase is completely irrelevant anyway, whatever increase senoirs get is offset by an increase in medicare costs so the folks don't lose money but gain nothing at the same time. Retire ages could also be gaged by the classification of the work the citizen does. Labor intensive jobs have a much shorter life expectancy. Also life expectancy varies by oncome level, lower middle class and below normally don't go to the doctor and keep up with their health as much as white collar people do. Thus white collar retirement ages could be increased. Also congressional retirement plan is a crock of manure. They should end the Congressional pension system and pay into s.s. like the people they serve. If that pension was rolled into s.s there woulx be no shortfall and they would keep a better handle on fixing the problem as opposed to compounding it.
make People with incomes over a certain level, say $175,000, ineligible to get social security payments.
Use some of that "extra money" to assist with SSA's admin costs---staff ,IT, overtime, etc.
Social Security is not a retirement plan; it is supposed to be a supplement to savings for retirement.
Thank God that I have Social Security. When I could not find work and saw what my benefits would be, I decided to retire and now Social Security helps me to give back to the community with voluntary work.
Increase the monthly benefit for people who are partially or totally disabled and unable to work to raise them above the poverty level.
Yes, I would. 1. Companies that moved the Manufacturing overseas, should still be paying F.I.C.A Taxes, since the Company still has a present in our Country. At the same rate, they were paying before the move. 2. The General Fund should pay back what it borrow from the Social Security Trust Fund in the time of War. 3. Ideally, Americans just entering the Working Force, should make the same as Older Americans had been making. 4. I'm a TV Show, Theater and Movie Creator and have yet to be paid for my concepts.
bring back factory/manufacturing to the country; start share-cropping again - FAIRLY- and let the cities be rebuilt by its inhabitants which will restore, dignity, purpose, inhabitated housing and lifetime skills/jobs, = more stable, happy families
Benefits to seniors not only is accomplished through social security, but the Medicare program. The amount of income needed should factor in the changing increasing/decreasing medical costs. If out of pocket medical expenses out pace increases in SS, then it's a net loss in income. An analysis of costs that seniors pay out for medical care and prescriptions is essential.
It's entirely unfair that the upper percentage of earners only get about half of money back that they put into the pot. How much do the upper percentage of earners have to carry everyone else? I wish people could opt out of Social Security benefits. Yes, no tax would be taken out, and therefore no social security benefits would be received, but people could be responsible for investing their retirement money themselves. Personal responsibility, what a concept!
what about disability? This was not addressed in this simulation. Also, a cap on the total amount per year of the benefit would be useful. Most importantly though would be to include other sources of income into social security. For example if someone receives stocks as compensation, I believe they pay capital gains only and no SS tax. It seems like income of any form should be subject to SS tax otherwise wage workers are paying while those that receive "special" pay are not.
No one that worked 30 yrs should have live in poverty.
Social Security is very complex and anyone who promises simple answers is lying.
People ultimately should be reducing their expenses through home ownership for example. As for those that require extra care as they get older costs can be reduced through Medicare by encouraging more home care as well as less mess and alternativ care, as popularized by Atul Gawande's book.
Tighten elegibility for disability, huge fraud area. Eliminate many non-nail agencies and programs, many of which armed,uplicative and ineffective.
The laws of this country have o change to make Social Security a real income when people need it - not a token gesture (like our minimum wage that will not allow people to live on it).
Tell Congress to stop borrowing from the Social Security Fund and pay back what they have borrowed - that should also replenish the coffers.
Congress should repay the money that President Bush took out of Social Security to the fund. Pass regulations that will STOP Congress and the President from "Borrowing" funds from Social Security in the future. The system worked until Congress started playing with it.
Protect the SS fund so it can't be raided and used for other purposes
I would like to see social security benefits not taxable for people over 70 . Or taxable if income exceeds $50000.
Reducing the shortfall should be based on "needs" for lower income folks and the "ability to pay" for higher income individuals. Under the recommendations I chose my benefits would be reduced but I feel the government should make choices based on what is best for the nation as a whole.
Stop giving benefits to illegal aliens and people who did not contribute to it
I am so thankful for Social Security and I pray that those who control the decisions about keeping it solvent get serious about protecting the benefits of millions who depend on it each day.
Carried interest - the hedge fund manager's income - must be subject to the Social Security tax. This was an obvious exclusion that should have been an option.
The percentage the highest earners get versus the lower earners was an eye opener, why should lower earners get more income % wise based on their contributions than higher earners this seems unjust and makes me even madder about social security having a shortfall.
For any increase or decrease in SS benefits would there be a corresponding change in other benefits like medicare? It seems that your models depend upon those figures to remain the same percentage that they are now. While funding SS is paramount, ultimately the problem remains that SS be enough to help seniors out.
What about all those $$ Monies $$ that some of Our Government Official's borrowed many decades years ago, where as some were paid back in T-Bill's, which may have not be with the total interest monies that would be involved, if those $$ monies $$ were banked, and incurring said interest monies?
Yes, place a ban on Congress taking any money out of the SS fund to use for other things like they have done in the past.
along with increasingthe retirement age, increase early retirement age.eliminate the $250 death benefit ti
We shouldn't be having politicians making these decisions since they don't abide by the same policies we do and they should. I would like to see the option of how much can be saved with the policy these same people put in that allows them to receive wages for life. That has to stop and how much do we save if they use the same healthcare we are now forced to use.
it would be nice if social Security money had only been used for that and not borrowed for other things and not paid back by Congress.
I am one of few that will not get SS. I have RI state pension. Also I am not able to get my husband SS if he dies before me. I do not think this is fair.
How much of social security goes to people that never worked or barely worked (not including disabled)
It is essential to keep Social Security functioning - it is something on which all Americans can rely, and in volatile markets may be needed by those who think they have prepared well for retirement. It should have more coverage for those who have not had opportunity to set aside more for retirement. Maybe benefits could be calibrated with what one has as personal wealth at retirement. Donald Trump does not need Social Security nor does Bill Gates.
I have a problem with people in he top 5% receiving Social Security - they should have enough money set aside.
Social Security should insure that people who have worked throughout their lives do not end up in dire poverty. It shouldn't make them rich, but provide enough to live. This may allow some people who are perceived to have squandered money live equally as well as someone who made less and lived frugally, but they are both living at the lower end of society and punishing them both for the sins of one violates common decency.
I never understood why SS is losing money when supposedly everyone working is paying into it, so they can retire and keep the same way of living as when they were working!
I think removing the CAP is the most important thing that can be done - I don't understand why lower and middle income workers fund SSI and higher earners get a break at a certain amount
I think you should note that the CPI used for COLA is specifically the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
Congress should live with Soc Sec as the public must, not their inflated benefits of health and pension. Also ENFORCE fraud and disability laws, reduce or eliminate benefits for Illegal residents. I have seen people from other countries who RETIRE in the US and get Medicare/Medicaid benefits and some form of SS without ever working a day in the US
When will the money that Congress siphoned off of SS be restored to SS?
First, the government should pay back SSA for money they took out for other than to pay benefits! Secondly, the government should do away with children receiving benefits on their parents records! Finally, everyone should pay into SSA (no cap on amount of income taxed) but have a specific cap on how much one can receive a month (i.e. no more than $1600 a month) regardless of how much you paid into the system.
I was provided with a certain set of potential policies. I would like to see additional ideas floated as a way to combat the shortfall. I believe the reduction in benefits should be for the top 2% of earners, people making over $250,000 per year, not people making less than that. It is difficult to make ends meet with a large family, paying for programs to make your children well-rounded, college tuition, supporting aged parents, etc... Increasing the financial pressure on the middle class (under $250k) is not a good policy!
Collect social security from all local and state employees. Tax all school employees and all politicians.
Social Security benefits should be only used as a retirement benefit, not a disability benefit.
The shortfall could be eliminated IF,... BIG IF, Congress Bi-Laterally got up the courage to STOP borrowing from one of the SS trusts, and FINALLY repay the fund even a SMALL percentage per year of the Treasury Bonds that SUPPOSEDLY covers the "IOU"s.
we need to take care of our elderly and social security is how we do that. we need to do whatever we can to ensure that we continue to take care of our people.
More info needed. I knew nothing about SS before i retired
I think working longer is a very good option. However, the issue of age discrimination must be dealt with. I know many people in middle management who have been "let go" in their 50's. They have a very difficult time finding a new equivilent position. Further, one friend over 50 went back to school for a masters in computer science and still has not had a job offer in her area of expertise. These people want to work but become a liability to their companies.
Social Security was set up to supplement those who are very elderly. Due to the overall increased health of the population, the age needs to be adjusted to reflect that before increase in taxes take place.
The income levels used for high income earners are more middle income than high income. I am pro having the income of millionaires and billionaires taxed higher and them not receiving social security since it was intended to help those in need and they are not!
Every individual should be responsible for their retirement savings and not depend solely on Social Security Benefits.
I would increase the retirement age for higher income earners and keep it at 66 for lower income earners since they tend to work at harder jobs and have less money to save independently.
SS is only part of the picture. Persons with low or no income are compensated and subsidized in many other ways (Medicaid, income tax credits, Obama care, assisted living, etc.). These other programs effect what a persons spendable income really is. A middle wage earner many times has less of a spendable income than a low or non-working person.
stop the pensions for all of Congress, past and present, and put them on Social Security. That should add some money to the pot. Also, there would have been enough money if Congress had not stolen it for other projects. So make Congress suffer for their stupidity of not thinking of the future. Also, stop killing babies in the womb. That would increase your SS revenue.
Tell congress to quit stealing and spending SS money! Make all or some of it private! Give people a choice. Stop the abuse and fraud, it cant be that hard, if it is, turn it over to a private company and give them a % of the savings! I guarantee they will figure out away to stop the abuse and fraud. When there is no incentive to lower expenses or lower fraud and abuse, no one does, its just that simple!
Removing the income cap for taxation esp for those earning more than $250,000/yr and taxing all income including investment income at the same rate as wages.
S.S. should not be the only retirement available for people no matter what wage bracket there are in. The government is a poor system to relay on for taking care of finances for its people.
Cut out the fat: welfare, envirknmental, foreign aid, etc. To work towards a balanced budget. Also where has the money gone from the social security? If everyone is contributing to soc, then they should get their own money back
Screen out those not deserving Social Security Disability and limit the time you are eligible to collect. Gradually reduce Supplimental Social Security Benefits. Say allow a maximum 3 years and it is completely phased out. Create a maximum of two children you can collect for.
Before deciding wheather or not to raise or lower the amounts the seniors receive, decision makers should actully visit with a variety of seniors. Some folks with access to pensions or savings are doing ok to well. Seniors with no savings or pensions to fall back on are not "thriving". When the decision has to be made between food or medication there is something wrong.
I worry about the issue of raising the minimum monthly payment . Humans like to compare themselves to others. If people work harder they expect to get more. Drastically raising the minimum amount would require the system to raise everyone's monthly payments in order to keep people satisfied. If not it is unfair. I know of people that purposely work part time just so they can qualify for Social Security. Someone who works full time and puts more into the system should be allowed to get more back out. Along with that comes the question of lowering benefits while simultaniously taxing the higher earners. Do they have more money that can be spread around to help the system. Yes they do. Should they be required by law to share their wealth and not expect anything back out. I'm not sure about that. If social Security is simply a welfare tool, then the rich should help out more. If it is mandatory retirement saving for everyone, then the rich who usually save for their own retirement better than the government could for them shouldn't be forced to make payments many times bigger than what they can expect in return. I love the idea of raising retirement age with the option of retiring early. Those who save well can retire early, those whose health is good can continue providing for themselves, and those who can't continue until full retirement age can apply for Social Security Disability.
Financial education in school would go a long way in reducing people's need for social security. People might actually start saving money for themselves instead of relying on the government to do it for them.
401k contributions should be deductible against SSI taxes. Common sense. You're going to retire. Save. This is America. Let me save where I choose!
If congressmen hadn't borrowed money from the SS Fund and used it for other purposses we probably wouldn't have a shortfall. Also lots of people who pay into it do not live to receive any benefits, if our Govt. hadn't misused our money we wouldn't be in the mess we are in.
The social security benefit should go off a ten year base.
There are no easy answers or solutions here. Americans are going to have to swallow a few bitter pills to keep a beloved and socially valuable program.
Should be able to opt out of social security and plan for my own retirement savings.
Bad situation but I agree something needs to be done now
The problem with the social security shortfall isn't due to a rise in life expectancy, better health, or people having less children and thus reducing the number of people in the workforce, it is due to gross abuse of this system by both government and lazy, entitled citizens. The feds waste a massive amount of money that could be going elsewhere. Fedral bugeting for EVERYTHING, including social welfare programs is sickeningly wasteful. A massive reduction of government and its fiscal irresponsibility is the best way to reduce shortfalls. This program was intended for the retirees and disabled in our nation, not the fat, the lazy, and the entitlement generation.
It seems prices go up on everything, but Social Sec. did not go up this last year at all.
cola should be determined by income taxes that should be filed every year. A percentage given back up to a specified percentage
giving SS wages a raise for inflation infuriates me - our household has not had a raise in over 5 years!
I feel we should have a cola raise each year to keep up with inflation, the ones we have had in the past weren't enough. This year we didn’t receive anything, and when you turn 65,you pay for Medicare that comes out of your check or Social Security. How are we suppose to make it?
Those needing welfare should appeal to the states for supplemental
I am very curious to know how long it has been since the $117,000 cap has been adjusted. When that cap was set, was it near the top end of the income levels? Another idea might be to increase the 6.2% more gradually. I dislike the thought of taking money out of pocket. Would it be possible to keep it under 7%? I wonder if there is any way to offer a bonus optional contribution. Although social security is set up to help the meet the needs of the retiring population, people are interested in helping themselves out. (For example, contribute $500 extra to SS this year and it will adjust your retirement check by x amount. Contribute $1000 extra and it will adjust it by 2x amount.) I think the general population is uninformed when it comes to SS. Continue to search for other options, ask input from individuals, and investigate the possibilities. A solution is only a great idea away...
Make sure people need it and dont lie to get it
My social security benefit is $1031 a month. I pick and choose what medical services I can have done at the moment and pay monthly on them. I am a 44 disabled person and I really struggle just getting by with the necessaties. I am low enough to qualify for $35 in foodstamps but still struggle to live so I don't feel ashamed of my situation but I still do. There are very unexpected things that happen in life and when you live on my bracket, you cant afford for a emergency to happen. Right now I need to figure out how to get some life insurance so my children aren't struggling wondering how are they going to afford to bury me. That situation haunts my mind everyday. You never know when things like this will happen. Something needs to happen for our country. Thank you for letting me take this survey!
Why not allow small businesses pay a lower amount in payroll tax than larger corporations?
It is hard for retirees to make it on their I come. Hate to see it get worse. Maybe some of the higher paid government workers could give up so.e of their income
Capping the payroll tax for all these years seems like a big portion of the problem. I have heard high income individuals complain how small of a percentage they receive back at retirement! Ha ha ! At retirement they still receive2or 3 times more than 95 percent of the staff below them. They only paid taxes on a third of their income. I paid on 100percent of mine. My milk and bread cost the same as theirs! Disability SS has to much abuse. Some of the individuals can do more than I can. They planned this just like the rest of their family members did. Tax their benefits too! Thanks
I think pot and prostitution should be legalized and be taxable income. It is obvious that neither problem will ever be totally solved or ended. ALso, Let the illegal immigrents get citizenship and they can also pay taxesinstead of being paid under the table.
Don't Let The Government Touch Social Security
It's a very tough situation to solve. Wish it was easier.
If the lawmakers would leave Social Security alone and allow it to work the way it was intended we would need to worry about the shortfalls. Lawmakers seem to want to Rape the S.S. system every time they want to fund some useless program that has nothing to do with S.S. Just leave it alone and let it do its job.
Social Security should encourage people to be responsible for their own retirement and not be a fully government funded retirement. It is supposed to be a supplement not a pension. Less and less companies offer pensions so the worker should take some of this responsibility.
Stop giving social security to people who do not pay into the system!
How about an opt out option for those with their own investments
Being in my 80"s my health care costs are rising beyond my ability to pay them. I am not able to pay for needed home improvements and new things such as a tv and a new stove are out of the question.
The minimum age should also be raised. People should not be able to draw at age 62.
Social security has been treated as the government's petty cash fund. Get rid of it and let people save the 6.2% themselves. Government needs to balance the budget and get rid of wasteful spending.
Let’s get our government under control and stop taking from the working people. The government doesn’t have the right checks and balances in place. We need to put the policy makes under stricter laws or punishment if they don’t balance their budget that they are being paid to do as part of their job (we just reelect them). Our government is out of control!! If you’re on SS you have to be a legal citizen and not just be getting governmental aid because some part of our government feels they can give free hand outs to none working illegal people. Also be drug free to be qualified for the benefit.
#1 If Ronald Reagan had not borrowed from Social Security we would not have this problem. I think they should crack down on people who draw Social Security from a dead relative also be stricter on passing out benefits to people who "claim" to be "disabled."
I would not mind paying a higher withholding. I believe those in the top 25% should pay more. Do I expect to live to 68, probably not. I think everyone should be able to retire after working 30 years. We live in a society where the middle and lower class want to save, but many do not have the means to do so. If they do and they become incapacitated to the point that they medicaid they lose everything that they have worked for just to qualify for medical care.
What the disabled and retired get now is not enough for them to live on. They have rent, electric and gas, water and sewage, trash removal, phone, groceries, transportation, medical co-pays, prescription co-pays and other necessities that must be purchased. The benefits for these people MUST be greatly increased or they will continue to starve to death, freeze to death, die from heat stroke, not be able to take necessary medications and die from complications. I personally think that one flat rate amount for each individual, that actually allows them to LIVE without having to choose between necessary medication, electric/gas or groceries each month. Not everyone has children that can or will help them make ends meet. I would rather pay 10% SS tax on every penny earned with no cap, increase their benefits, eliminate medical and prescription co-pays and premiums for them, ensure each of them $250 a month in grocery benefits and make utility companies provide a 50% reduction in energy costs to the elderly or disabled, income based housing should not be allowed to take more than 25% of their benefit amount. There is nothing wrong with increasing the "burden" on those of us that are still working in order to properly take care of our elderly/disabled. By increasing it NOW all at once and then working on additional benefits for the elderly NOW, there will still be plenty of benefits when the younger generations reach retirement age. I would also like to note that the COLA each year
If the S.S. money was left untouched by the "politicians", in a low interest bond market, or the like, we would not be having this problem right now. Another way to increase contributions is to put more of the 34% of able-bodied people who are not working, back to work! We should NOT be paying them to not work. There is also rampant fraud is the system that should be vigorously addressed.
Nothing was mentioned about handicap, childrens benefits, people that haven't been citizens long enough or government dipping for other funds.
Anyone earning over $350,000 annually is not eligible to have that year as part of the formula for SS earnings - with that level of income, the individual should be more than prepared to fund their own retirement for that year.
we must keep the monies for social security only and not put it into the general fund.
I believe if the Goverment paid back what they have supposedly just borrowed and kept there hands off it we wouldn't be in this predicament . It was called a trust until Lydon Johnson decided they needed it.
I think LBJ and family needs to pay us all back for erroneously unlocking the lock box for ss.
since looking ahead 30 years toward retirement for most young workers...social security should have a mandatory percentage amount per year each and every working person must contribute according to weekly wages or yearly incomes
Addressing situations that social security is paid out. There are people who receive benefits that don't pay in.
Any changes in reduction of benefits needs to be connected to the reality of what people are saving for retirement today. Without pensions or adequate social security, a huge portion of society is going to fall into poverty very quickly once they reach retirement age -- an unacceptable outcome.
Suggestion; increase/decrease benefits based on other retirement funds/savings a person has at the time of retirement
I hope that we, seniors don't go thru another year without a COLA. Let alone a very small raise. Thank you.
Their ought to be employer based IRA setups for those who chose this to supplement their S.S.
The whole SS system is unconstitutional. Why should I be forced into participating in a government run retirement plan that by their own admission is failing? If given the option right now, I'd opt out entirely and cut my losses.
Have top 5% wage earners volunteer to give up earnings.
Workplace life is tough already for us over 50. We are treated poorly by the younger crowd.
It has always seemed dumb that there is a cap on yearly income. Even though there is a shortfall, it would be nice to reduce the amount taxed per paycheck. Ultimately, social security is availble to prevent a colapse on the entire country. It is my belief that the wealthy should be more not less responsible in providing for the system.
I don't think 30 and 40 are high income amounts. We are just keeping up let alone have more money taken out. Judging the future income and how the government spends money I'm not convinced that the government can fix this.
I worked with my mother-in-law for 15 years on her taxes (age 82 to 97). She needed the social security as a living base with her savings. Without it should would have been dependent on me and her daughter.
We, all Social Security beneficiaries, hade let the system get out of hand. We that have let the system get out of hand should pay the price of accepting lower payments.
People should plan for their future. Social Security should be a supplement to their savings. Lower income workers should not be punished for earning less. And, Social Security is earned, it is not an entitlement. Deny benefits to those who have not earned them for themselves or by virtue of the efforts of a parent or spouse.
I wish they would give us are benefits we work for
I wish overly wealthy people who are receiving social security would return the funds
I'd like to know why there was no cola this year? I'm 74 and just retired since I waited until I was a widow and could claim my spouse' ss....that's a long time to work!
Just frustrating to me that I have put into Social Security since I was 15 and that I may have to work til I am almost 70 to obtain benefits, and even then I may not get back what I have put in.
They need to quit giving SS to people who have never put money into it. Especially kids of foreign people who have never contributed.
Raising the retirement age may not work very well because companies tend to lay off older, higher paid workers before they even reach their retirement age. I would still be working if that hadn't happen to me 10 years ago.
The government as a whole spends too much, borrows to much, & is very inefficient. Anything that reduces the administrative cost of government must be included. This should include a hiring freeze on the civilian part of government & reduced government regulation. The US should become more decentralized and let each state decide for itself how to proceed.
It should take care of real needs of real people
We need to save Social Security Benefits for legal resident citizens of this country who work and have paid into our Social Security.
I don't think you should punish middle income and pay low income people more.
I believe as you have stated that there has been a promise that this money would be there for us when we retired. It is not the governments, it is ours and had it been left to the individual to save, could have resulted in a substantial retirement account, I assume at least 6% of our earnings per year PLUS any interest attained.
I find it disturbing that a person works their whole lives and can't afford to retire while they are able. I feel that our government has spent monies foolishly and are not taking care of our retires, elderly or veterans. Again, shame on you! Our insurance rates are out of this world. Prices are unrealistic given the profits that businesses make and high income/bonuses that are paid out. No one deserves to make millions/billions and that includes all athletes.
Tax all churches-propertytaxes. Tax churches for all services provided free by public institutions, police, fire, etc. Tax all TV and radio stations for all political ads broadcast by these sources. Tax salaries and retirement incomes of all persons who serve/served in any of the 3 branches of government during years in which Soc. Sec. Trust fund was used to fund non-Soc. Sec. matters (retroactive to Eisenhower Adm.). Come on, use your imaginations to find the revenue to solve the problem.
Has the federal government repaid-with interest- all that has been borrowed from SS and how would it impact if this were done.
There were comments about us getting social security benefits after working at least 10 years. Then why do the damn immigrants get social security??!!!!!!!
The initial reasons for social security were implemented in a very different time. Young workers should be given full wages and left to manage their retirement monies themselves through the free market economy, thereby reducing big government and governmental controls over their health and well-being. We have created a welfare state by allowing Social Security to grow to the size that it is. Employers should not be responsible for providing long-term retirement options, taking the decisions out of the hands of the individuals.
Hire more people to track down those who receive benefits for deceased family members
The solution is simple: eliminate the salary cap for all earners. DO IT!
Social Security funds should be unavailable for any reason outside of Social Security benefits. No other program or administration should be able to use the funds for outside purposes. Leave the funds alone and allow them to grow for the use they were intended.
Allow for those who want to "retire" from fulltime employment some retirement options. These options could allow pt work and delaying retirement age yet still receiving a partial benefit. (similar to the work incentive program for thise who receive disability.) This means the person is still contributing to payroll taxes with the incentive of a higher benefit by delaying their full benefit (or at least not penalizing the persons continuing to earn money.)
1. Eliminate the cap on payroll tax and put a cap on the maximum monthly benefit all high income recipients can receive based on today's maximum monthly benefit, regardless of how much payroll tax they have paid into the system. 2. Provide an IRS income tax credit equal to 100% of the payroll tax paid by anyone who is at or below 100% of poverty level and proportionately reduce that income tax credit to 0% of the payroll tax paid at 150% of the poverty level.
You didn't offer an option of reducing government, reducing entitlements, reducing some social services. Only military, enviroment, and transportation
Government needs to stop taking SS money to pay for other things. The investment of SS money should have more than been able to pay for the needs of SS, but when you take out money from the investment then it doesn't increase the way it was supposed to. The potential ways to support SS is all to the downfall of the people who paid in to this.
this survey is not for me as I am 85 years old and my pension comes from railroad
I think people who make the most money like upwards of 300,000 or more need to pay in more in on taxes & social security. There's just to many loop holes that lets them get away with paying less in taxes than people who make 150,000 just doesn't seem right.
Allow Americans to either opt out or in of Social Security.
I feel that I have been paying into the system for 30 years and I hope and expect to receive the benefits that I was promised!
We have believed for a long time that if the poorer workers have to pay the payroll tax for all their earnings, then those in higher paying jobs ought to also. I am sure that many would find ways to get their "salary" as some other type of compensation to find a loop hole, but this is the fair way.
I do not believe that I will personally have any of the social security returns that have been promised. I would like to see the program ended, and think that prolonging age requirements, and decreasing benefits gradually is probably the best way to achieve that. I did notice that this simulator was looking to 'fix' social security, and as such probably did not reflect my opinions about dismantling it, till our nation begins to rely on small community, not big government. Roosevelt tried, it didn't work in the long term.
SS should not be paid to folks who have not contributed into the system.
We should tax all contributions made to politicians running for office.
I know that this is a quandary but I have always wondered why there was a salary cap on contributions. The top tier of wage earners already have so much compared to their lower earning neighbors. I believe it not only fair, but responsible to eliminate the cap.
Tax top 1% earners higher. It will solve a lot of short falls.
What about the money from social security that has been used for other things?
I think that if a person only contributed for ten years, they should not qualify for full benefits. This should be increased to twenty years for full benefits, and starting at ten years get 50% increasing yearly to full benefit at twenty. Otherwise, those of us working 45 years or so, are subsidising too much of the others benefits.
We need to give careful consideration to the retiree's whos retirement package includes Social Security Payments, for example the Federal Employee's Retirement System. It appears quite trendy for the business world to include Social Security Benefits, and the employee's personal savings in Employer Sponsored Defined contribution plans
I thought the idea to have no cap was good, but in the fight for it the argument made it sound like it was degrading people with a higher income. They worked just as hard for their money, so the statement "the wealthy should pay up" didn't really sit well with me. From the higher payed individuals I work with, I know they would vote to eliminate the cap if it meant that they were guaranteed Social Security.
Anyone who pays in should receive benefits out. There needs to be reform in other areas such as disability payments to those whom are capable of working and contributing to society. There are many out there committing fraud in their receipt of disability benefits at the expense of those who are doing their fair share.
I would like to see the Maximum Taxable Earnings Cap removed. This will treat everybody working equally as they will all pay the same percentage of their income all year. If possible, it would be great to see Social Security benefits raised to ideally, maintain or improve the individuals' standard of living. Prices will always increase until a post-scarcity environment can be reached. As long as Social Security benefits increase to meet or exceed inflation, more people will be able to see that the system works and have more faith in other government programs.
Make employees responsible for their own retirement and have them pay into a 401k program or TSP program and do away with anyone starting to work and pay for social security.
I think there are other areas that can be cut to make up for the shortfall.
As a Social Security recipient, I think the SSAdministration seems to be well-run. It communicates well with its recipients.
The politicians should have to cut their salaries going forward too, to help with the deficit. We are entitled to what we paid in. If it us insolvent, it should be ended and paid out based on what you paid in.
It should be untouchable for any but the intended purpose.
my mother lives on this and it is heart breaking to see her struggle with medicine and expensive insurance
How about reducing the military budget, stop fighting other countries civil wars, and replacing the social security funds that the republicans stole during the Reagan and Bush eras! Then we would not have to worry about Social Security at all! The Republican establishment is the only real reason social security is at risk!
Give this problem to selected life insurance companies who have actuarial experience in setting premiums. Bet they could solve it.
Investing money to produce a higher rate of return of the fund. Make money off the interest while at the same time boost the economy. The interest earned should cover a lot of the shortfall
Don't just take this information, DO SOMETHING with it.
Better control of social security disability payments. Only bona-fide American Citizens should be eligible unless the worker meets all other criteria. A reduced rate of payment if not 100% disabled. People need to attempt to be self supporting just not living off others. Maybe they can't work full time, but can part time. Benefits should be lowered if they can work even part tme.
I would like to know more history on the $117k ceiling. Where did this come from, how long has it been in place?
Our government should not borrow money from the Social Security funds for other purposes, and the government should REPAY the money that it has already taken and used for other purposes.
We have too many regulations that hobble business and raise the cost. Cutting regulations will improve the economy and in turn increase wages and SS contributions
it is easy to see the short fall, Middle class are making less, and we are living longer, adjustments must be made, The American worker has been paying in all his life and he deserves a decent benefit.
Payroll tax should have been very gradually increased starting in the 90s, but every elected official was afraid of raising taxes. Campaign should have stressed investment not tax. I know its not possible but COLAs should be linked to Congressional pay increases, no COLA no raise Senator.
Government people that paid SS prior to gov employment should be able to collect 100 % and not have their SS reduced to 40%
I think Social Security is a very good thing and should be supported not made a scape goat for politicians to rail about.
Why is Social Security being given to finance unwed mothers and illegitimate children. The only people taking Social Security should be retirees. Why aren't Congress & other government agencies a part of the Social Security system? Why are they in a separate program?
Protect the funds. This should be a trust account and not a means to fund the ACA. Put back the money taken and there would be no problem with SS shortfall and we could take increases to help our lower income seniors. The higher income people should not pay. Why is it always the seniors and military who take a hit. Reduce Congress and Senate benefits and make them live on min, social security and ACA health plans. If it is good enough for us it should be good enough for them
It was our money, we should be able to decide how to spend or invest ourselves...no government involved. Also quit borrowing from ss, and repay what you took
I think there should be small increases based on number of years worked. That doesn't seem to be taken into consideration. A person only working ten years when compensation has gone up earns more than someone has worked 50 years.
I am a teacher. I have had to work two jobs because did not pay the bills. Even after paying in to social security for many years on a second job, I have a reduced social security income because I paid in to a teacher pension. I do not believe that is fair at all. Work two jobs and get less is not fair.
I think too many dependents get benefits. For example, why give benefits to children born to men over the age of 50? They chose to have the children, they should pay for them.
It is a critical element in our society. It must be fixed, not abandoned.
I wish to fire all of Congress. Without politicians, we could solve budget problems easily. No wars, more money for education, healthcare and Soc. Sec.
No mention was made on the category of social security beneficiaries that are not retirees, the disabled. I was a federal security officer at a social security branch office and witnessed, first hand, a large amount of people defrauding the system by claiming disability. They are essentially robbing the benefits from those who have worked their whole lives.
Is Congress going to finally make sure that all SS funds go into its own account instead of the general fund. Most of the problem was made by congress using the money from the funds instead of allowing them to save up for when needed.
Phase out the program and cover short falls through general revenues. Younger Americans should start retirement accounts with withheld taxes and employer matching funds. Then their retirement would be in their hands and out of the government control.
Too many people are receiving benefits who do not deserve them. Only those who have worked and paid into the fund should receive social security. This is a huge issue that should be addressed ASAP. It would resolve all shortfall issues.
I would love it if law makers would try to live on what I'm GETTING from SS disability!
Whatever a person pays into Social Security over their lifetime is what they should get back, with interest. The funds in the Social Security fund should not be used for any other purpose. The current system has employers subsidizing the retirement of their employees. There needs to be a complete overhaul of Social Security.
Keep the politico from raiding it. A remind them that SS hasn't, been paid back the monies they have already taken.
Right now I'm collecting the amount for a retiree who's 65. I was told that if I waited till 70 I would collect about $1,000 more. Why not give this increase (when I'm 70) just as a matter of course?
yeah, the governent. congress, all in washington gets paid too much. they get raises while others go without homes and food. think about it honestly.
force congress to repay the money they have taken to pay for other programs from the social Security fund and pay it back and then lock it where they cannot take money from there again. if you want to add money take and reduce congress salaries and force the reduction back to Social security. reduce congress and the president and ex presidents retirement to zero after they are out of office and save the money to social security. You need to take and reduce paychecks and benefits to illegals as well. we need to take care of us before the world. stop sending foreign aid to countries we don't need to send it to because they hate us. get rid of the IRS and departmet of education. and all the other crap agencies that exit.
Increases in Medicarwe B premiums, seem to offset any COLA action. It's good that when there is no yearly COLA, SS recipients. Medicare B premiums stay static. Even when Medicare B premiums only rise as much as a COLA allows,, a COLA is NOT a COLA when it is eaten up by other expenses. There ought to be some (even if small) increase in the net amountg of an annuity, if only to lose less ground against inflation.
It is not fair that the wealthy who have planned better, got a better education and saved for retirement should pay for those who didn't plan. I don't like it that we keep thinking that the wealthy will continue to pay for other peoples lack of planning. I have worked hard my whole life to provide for my family. I own a small business and work 80 hours a week. 15 years ago I lost everything and started over. I know employee 6 people and have a successful business. Why should I be punished to help someone that worked 32 hours a week at a dead end job, went on vacations and spent time doing what they wanted when I sacrificed time with my family and doing what I wanted so I could provide now for my family and save for my future.
My premium for medicare increased by $130.00 per month. This happened because my retirement plan made a $15,000.00 mistake over the last 14 years in the amount I had been receiving. Whose fault was that???? I am angry so perhaps it was not a great time to evaluate this program that I helped fund for over 35 years of my life.
what about the money a wife puts in to social security, that she is unable to receive...where is that. !! why isn't is given to her, she put it in, she should get in back .
Why did the government use social security funds for other expenses, make the government pay them back and only use them for the intended purpose: SOCIAL SECURITY
A privatization of a percentage of SS should be an option
Yes - determine how to reduce the social security benefits for the top 10% income earners by 25% - since you have every ones yearly earnings this should be rather simple and help reduce the shortfall!
I believe that the removal of social security from those 30 and older would cause them to be wiser with their money and privatize it. Let people decide what they want to do with it. Only those who have been here for a minimum of 20 years legally and having paid in all that time should be even considered for any benefits.
Yes, the term "wealthy" in this survey is extremely relative and I believe that members of congress, the senate and the president should NOT be entitled to large pensions or social security since they are already well taken care of. Reducing what THEY receive would reduce the social security issue proportionately. Also, the wealthiest and I mean those with incomes in the millions should not be entitled to social security. They don't need it!
The disability part of SSA is out of control where people who are collecting can work at a different job. Maybe not the one they were hurt in. This is hurting the real disabilable person from getting the attention they need.
Raising or eliminating the cap on wages has always been my solution to this problem plus making sure outgoing payments are payable to deserving qualified citizens.
I have worked since I was in 9th grade and paid into social security. I continue to work. I am relying on social security to be there along with my pension and my tax shelter and investments to keep me comfortable in my old age - I love working; I believe everyone should pay into the system and take from the system when the time comes, and I believe that my retirement is my reward for being a productive member of society.
After the wage cap is raised, the amounts above the cap should continue to be taxed but at a quarter of the standard rate.
yes,the cap on incomes over $300,000 should be larger and reflex the same percentages on their incomes as lower income earners.People with lower incomes are paying into the system on their entire income.
It should not be given to anyone who did not contribute either themself or their immediate family
Members of Congress who make all decisions regarding Social Security should be required to contribute as well and then receive benefits at retirement instead of lifetime pension for self and spouse.
I knew the Social Security system faced problems, but I had only a vague understanding of what exactly they were before this. The explanations were succinct yet very informative.
WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT PEOPLE WHO GET SOCIAL SECURITY THAT SHOULD NOT BE GETTING.I CALL IT FRAUD.I AM TALKING ABOUT YOUNGER PEOPLE GETTING DISABILITY THAT REALLY ARE NOT DISABLED
The employee and employer pay in should be increased to 10%. Most financial sources suggest you invest at least 10% of your income and many people either forget to invest or choose not to. This would insure that everyone is meeting this minimal level.
I think too many people qualify for social security. These people should not be getting SSi It was not originally set up this way and provisions were not made for these inclusions.
The elderly paid into our government most of our lives but the adage that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer still holds true. Do something about it.
Financial Education is much more important than having people hope to rely on SSI. Learning to save and invest in a fairly secure income producing investment would be much more prudent.
while the average worker will not see great increases in salary, those who are in the top 1% are getting advantages but no actual responsibiity.
Stop funding so many non working people getting free benefits. Use that money to pay into the social security funds. If you work and contribute you will get your social security. Working is key
I believe the purpose behind establishing Social Security benefits was so the elderly knew that they would have some money coming their way. It was simply meant as a way to help the elderly get through their final years--social security was never meant to be something that was designed for the elderly to completely live off of. I believe Social Security is very important for our elderly, which is why I was very hesitant to make any cuts in the program.
The government should offer tax incentives for retirees with high incomes from pensions, retirement accounts, or income earned while eligible for Social Security. These tax incentives would be given, in lieu of collecting benefits that tax year.
People earning over $113,000 should pay more but not collect more because they generally have other options such as pensions to rely on. Stop using Soc Security funds for illegals and welfare recipients.
I would like to see low income people not to have to participate, and see higher income people give more. Why is there a cap at $117000. The people who are earning more than that should be helping to subsidize lower earners.
It is a threat to the seniors to raise the retirement age and to cut the benefits. It is hard for them to get work once they reach a senior age and if they are not eligible for the full social security benefits.
One of the Cola arguments is about the cost of health care for seniors. That really is better addressed through Medicare modification than social security modification. There are also imperfections in the models used to calculate the costs and savings. Allowing ranges of percentages of savings would complicate the arguments but be more realistic.
I never knew there was a cap - this was the biggest shock to me.
Do not raise the age of full retirement above age 69.
MY INVESTING IN THE SP500 OVER A 10 YEAR PERIOD TAX FREE OVER 10 YEAR PERIOD WAS EQUAL TO THE PAYMENTS BY ME AND MY EMPLOYER..I GET $35000 FROM MY ARISA ACCOUNT , WILL LEAVE ALOT TO MY FAMILY VS $12000 SS AND NOTHING TO MY FAMILY
instead of removing the cap completely, why not lower it for 0-300k, then raise it for the higher tax brackets. 0-300k is \3%, 300k to 500k is 5%, 500-1mm, 6% 1-3mm 6% 3mm + 8%
I would seriously review the "disability" part of the system. I personally seen a number of people on ss disability that are young and still able to work. But chose not to.
Eliminating the cap seems fair, also Congress should pay into and receive the same benefits, not get a pension for life even if they served only one year. Same for medical insurance. Costs are continuously rising and doctors are opting out of accepting Medicare making it necessary to pay out of pocket if you want the best doctors.
People making less than Social Security income of $15,000 a year will have a windfall of $10,000 when filing income tax....Schedule B should be free, similar to Schedule A on Medicare
I noticed it is easy to talk about supplementing income with part time jobs but, the reality is no one wants to hire older people except maybe in retail. Most retail jobs are physically taxing on older people and you are paid so poorly it only helps move you into your grave sooner. (I know some people are counting on this as a resolution). The minimum wage has to be $15 and we should look to creating other types of jobs for seniors who are willing and can work.
just hoping it isn't depleted because I count on it to live
I really think cola should be eliminated all together and adjust it maybe every 5years by simply giving say a 5percent increase in monthy benefits
There are savings to be had in streamlining the administrative services of Social Security. The current situation is a bureaucratic mess that is not only expensive, but incredibly inefficient. People wait for over two years to come to a final decision on applications for disability coverage, by way of example. This is horrendous as many of the people filing for such coverage can be dead within that two year period. it is the functionality more expected of a fly by night insurance company than that of the federal government.
Yes, kick the welfare cheats (lifetime socialists) that have never worked OFF of social security disability SPECIFICALLY the drug addicts and those whose children have aged out of welfare and this is there NEW WELFARE!
Don't have any positive solution on this matter or hope.
Reduce the military budget because it can cover social security very easily.
Stop giving away Social Security benefits to illegals and people who have not paid into the system! That alone should fix the problem!
over the years I have noticed that some ethnicity have come to the country and worked for a certain amount of time and then bring their elderly relative to work a minimum amount of time and then collect for the rest of their lives the amount of time you spend living here as well as working here should influence benefit availability.
Stop giving SS to illegal aliens who have not paid into the system
Politicians and the wealthy should be expected to contribute ore. When my grandmother was alive, I noticed her social security benefits decreased yearly. She always said she had less and less to live off of, maybe the government is doing this so I can meet God sooner. She worked her entire life, paid taxes and contributed to society. No one should have thoughts like this or be made to feel this way. What kind of future will we have with no social security benefits?
I don't know why SSA monthly payment was not increased for 2016. Don't the people who make that decision ever shop for food?
There are several fallacies in the questions. First of all, Social Security HAS NOT increased faster than the inflation rate. I can attest to that personally. Second, that the choices given here are the ONLY choices: One thing that can be done is for Congress to put back the money that was taken out of the fund over the years to fund other programs. That's the REAL REASON there is currently a shortfall.
Social Security is important for many people and the politicians have to stop playing games with it.
I am 62 and have been working since I was 16 years old. I did have many years I was unable to make any money and I am very concerned about the check I will receive when I turn 65. Although I intend to wait until I am 66 to start collecting my benefits.
The current system puts an unfair burden on the self-employed. It's hard enough to start a business, or work as a freelancer. I'd like to see that addressed.
I and my wife are in our 80's but I considered impact on my grand children, who are not as fortunate as we are. I plan to send to others for careful consideration and response.
The social security fund should be untouchable by the government. The program's problems today are the result of the congress & president diverting funds to other programs.
If Congress had actually put our FICA payments into a dedicated account there wouldn't be a problem. The problem has been caused by Congress borrowing against Social Security to fund politically appealing line items.
We need to eliminate the ponzi scheme all together. This can be done by transitioning to an employee savings plan. The welfare part of SS should then just be incorporated back into the yearly welfare budget cycle. This eliminates the government gambling with our kids future.
I know that older americans start having increasingly more expensive health issues and need medication that is so incredibly expensive that they have to make choices between their basic needs and medication. This is not their fault and they need help.
Citizens are responsible for their own future and their own financial planning. It is not the responsibility of others, even the wealthy, to provide. Eliminate the SS program all together.
I am on SS now & the idea that when certain grocery items go up in price that I should look for cheaper cuts of meat or other items is not what I do. I will give up other things than give up items like ground beef. I don't expect steak but do want the items I've enjoyed my whole life.
I feel strongly that higher wage earners should continue to contribute to SS. The impact to these people's lifestyle due to this increase is far less than to lower income wage earners.
The current policy of charging SS recipients 2 times the standard cost of Medicare based on their income, even though that income is entirely from a pension, penalizes people who have worked hard for 50 years and forces them to unfairly subsidize Medicare. We need to change this policy.
I'm not planning on a full SS benefits so Im planning for my own retirement funding. I do work with people who never learned to save and hence are still working past full retirement age. When you use the IRS as a interest free savings bank, you are asking for future trouble.
If we could eliminate benefits for those making over 500K or even 250K annually in retirement, that would make sense and may save a small amount. Base it on annual tax returns, would need to be able to track investment income accurately.
you forgot the best option put an end to the socialist system of stealing from heard working people and giving it to lazy people who didnt plan for the futute. more taxes isnt the way to solve failed socialist policies. dont send me a god damn survey that only allows for continued tax and spend bullshit that has bankrupted this nation
If the Social Security funds have been raided to pay for other things, those funds should be returned with interest.
As a younger worker, I don't expect to receive any social security benefits. Perhaps there should be considerations that gradually exhaust social security and privatize it.
Make it illegal for congress to raid that account...that is why there is a shortfall. Make congress live with a balanced budget the way its citizens do.
The govt should not have dipped into the Social Security fund to begin with and then we would not be having this problem!!!!
People have to accept that everyone must pay more into social security, but the very wealthy have benefited more from living in this country and they should pay more. The very rich should never see themselves as separate from those who are poorer, and provided the the human context for their gaining their wealth.
too many people who have never held a job qualify for SSI, that needs to be moved directly under a welfare program, not SS...I worked at a prison, inmates in their early 20's were getting SSI upon release when they have never worked or contibuted. that kind of system is wrong, SS should be only a program to help those who have actually contributed.
Have the government stop borrowing from SS and pay back what it has already borrowed.
I think many who have sufficient retirement income would opt out of receiving Social Security benefits. They should be allowed to do this. This would decrease the shortfall more than expected.
The government should stop raiding the SS fund for pet projects. It should be a separate fund not part of the general budget. It was meant to supplement retirement not to provide full support.
most people I know aren't counting on social security when they will need it in the future. true security for society would entail a minimum set of benefits for all people giving regard only to a person's citizenship status and no other division.
Have the government repay what they took out of the Social Security fund over the years.
get undocumented workers documented ( green cards, alien residents, path to citizenship) and paying into the ss system
people who do not put in anything should not get anything out
If the benefit received was flat compared to what was taxed then I would be in favor of no cap on the tax, but with the current setup where the benefit is higher for those who contributed less I would not be in favor of no cap on the tax.
Your first policy analysis is the most important, and should guide all other decisions. Social Security is one part of the "safety net" for people who cannot afford basic housing and basic nutrition. As a society, we should take identifying and supporting these people very seriously. The more wealth/income we have as individuals, the more we should be willing to help these people. It should be the goal of the President and Congress to explain this principle and lead by example.
raising the amount for poorer people would give them incentive to look for better paying jobs.
what i don't like is that: if u earn less in ur last few yrs of work..ur ss is based on the last few yrs not ur high yrs.....
Social security belongs to the worker not the government! Government needs to stop taking money for other programs from social security!! Illegals SHOULD NOT GET RECEIVE OR BENIFIT FROM SOCIAL SECURTITY BENIFITS!!!
I would like to see the Government give people over the years the ability to invest their Social Security in various plans in the private sector.
Social security should somehow offer an incentive to people who have pensions or plan for their own retirements.
People who work "off the books' most of their lives should not get a windfall by increasing reported income in the last 10 years of employment.
payroll taxws capped at $117k was new info for me.
Congress needs to pay back what they "borrowed" from Social Security and find a way to truly invest the excess each year.
We should require 100% participation in SS, including all government workers, followed by reduced or eliminated government pensions as the private sector has done. Elimination of other government benefits, such as healthcare provided with little or no employee contributions. Let's eliminate the fat in government entitlements before we raise taxes on the workers.
no one should collect ss unless they have paid in
The government should stop using the SC money for non-sense spending
The people should get out an equal amount plus interest/investment earnings.
Perhaps the country can use the money wasted on wars and weaponry that the defense department does not want or need to cover the shortfall in Social Security.
get the money from somewhere else since the war was paid with social security which was obnoxious to do in the first place
I think that SS should have a floor on the employee's payment, reduced % for employers of lower wage earners and no cap. If you work 30, you get 100% of SS benefits.
The government needs to leave the money for Social Security IN the bucket and not use this money for other projects
all wage earners should pay into SS, no matter how much they earn. A person earing 2mil up should be paying into the system, not stop as 115K, also this person would be entitled to collecting SS.
I think it's important to keep the elderly above the poverty line. We value the contributions of our elderly. Society benefits from taking care of the elderly.
Please stop rewarding people who do not earn their keep. I went to college and paid for it my self . I have been working since I was 14. I have 34 years of teaching. STOP rewarding incompetence, the higher earners got there for a reason.. hard work !!! America gives everyone opportunity,,, you have to work hard and take it. Stop feeding lazy people, when they get hungry enough they will work. People 80 and over need help , but not below that . Stop letting people come to this country and then leave and spend there SSI in another country.... many South American go back to their country as they call it.Do not send the checks. Make them stay here.
Americans First .... Veterans First ....
Stop Congress from stealing from Social Security. Only pay benifits for what Social Security was designed for.
Common sense must be applied here, after a certain age the need to have certain materialistic items should decrease. As a senior citizen your health care should instinctively be of major concern, the ability to stay active on a daily basis amongst your pier group is also important, and finally you should be able to travel if you are healthy enough to do so. But keeping up with the young lifestyle of wanting and having everything must cease. You must fill your time with appropriate substitutes, and live within your means!
In more than one case, COLAs have not been granted at all. That must generate some surplus for those years, including 2016. I don't think this is fair to SS recipients.
You cannot tie a lifetime benefit payment to a fixed percentage of salary; statistically is has already proven to be false. The government now has the computing power and resources to generate an emerging liability schedule which would more accurately define the problem thus offering more appropriate solutions. Congress and the Department of Labor should make more use of that data in devising solutions.
I would like to raise the minimum benefit of $760 per month to $960, but not as high as $1,134.
The best policy would make people save more through the use of national based 401(k) programs that all working people must added to when working and can be taken with them to new jobs. The greatest income generator is through these 401(k) plans.
I just don't understand how social security funds are low when working people have no other choice, but to pay. Why aren't the wealthy paying these taxes. If they are, they should pay more. Help the budget. They need to stop being selfish.
The Government should not be allowed to touch Social Security benefits. We the people put money into it on the notion that we will get this money back when we retire. If the Govt "borrows it" for other spendings and doesn't replace it, than how will we live after we retire?
As the cost of living is rising, so should Social Security.
No other comments. These are thoughtful option and hope this goes to Congress for consideration.
What would be saved by rigorous anti-fraud efforts?
Social Security has many problems and need to be fix.
Yes. The reason SS is in such trouble is that its funds were never put in a "Locked Box," thereby allowing government to borrow against it for decades. Why isn't this part of the discussion? If not, whatever is done, government will continue to rob SS and down the road we will be in the same perilous pit.
The options provided seemed quite limited. I think we should raise the age more rapidly and to a higher final age. I was also surprised that no mention was made of privatization or other larger potential changes.
The majority of the people we know have absolutely no need for social security. I feel it is important that people like them be eliminated completely from the payouts.
I'm 30 and believe I likely won't have the chance to use Ss when I'm older, and the growing income of the top 10% irritates me a lot.
Just to reiterate: I think it's absurd to cap the wage amount on which SS tax is paid at $117,000; that's a regressive tax that ultimately hurts lower-wage earners and gives a great benefit to the wealthy and upper middle class. It's not fair.
People who have paid for 30 years should get high cola raises no matter what. There are seniors who are living on ss only!
Suppressing the minimum wage level not only adversely affects these lower-paid individuals but results in lower payments into the Social Security Fund resulting in lower benefits payments at retirement. These people get hit twice, placing an unfair burden.
The GOP is constantly fooling Americans about how soon SS funds will be depleted. The media needs to be more factual & correct the rhetoric on this topic. Also, the lies about SS fraud need to stop because it is another ploy for the GOP to bolster their interest in privatizing SS and that would be the death sentence to people who retire.
How important it is. I have begun to collect my benefits although I go on working. The increased income helps me contribute to the economic growth of my area and our country.
I have paid into the plan all my life and the expect it to be as promised
how much do the politicians dip into these funds?
Stop the totally wasteful spending and stop pillaging SS to cover government waste and incompetence.
Right now, Social Security covers about 50% of my expenses. I am fortunate to have a pension plan which covers the remaining half.
My thoughts were that something has to be done, not just talked about. We have to be proactive to preserve and improve a system that has worked well, so that it can continue to serve us in the future.
I will be eligible to start collecting later this year. I don't have huge reserves so my benefits will be a large part of my income. For that and other reasons, I plan to keep working for as long as I can. I am self-employed, which makes that easier. But not everyone has that option.
With all the talk from the republican party S.S. will be bankrupt in a few years
Rent and utilities are the largest expenses for seniors and not what they buy. Alas, they cut back on food in order to have a roof over their head. This is why they feel the rich should pay more to help the shortfall. They can't do more.
No but i feel something cant be voted on no ones listens
Personal financial planning is good, but people should not have to become destitute under any circumstances.
a question; l wonder what happens to SS when someone passes away prior to collecting (say) a year's worth or ..any? also ..l do meet elderly people attempting to 'get by' on their SS. l recall a woman who would buy canned dog food on occasion. l cannot imagine someone who lives rurally and has no one. employers won't be likely to hire people who are not young. And ..jobs which are demanding physically can also be stressful. l had one once. l made good $$ however l also remember that the guys who retired had fatal heart attacks within 5 years.
encourage the younger Generation to work so social security good grow .
SS should only be used for it original intention. Not borrowing from it to fund other gov. programs.
IF WE STOP GIVING SS BENEFITS TO PEOPLE WHO EITHER DID NOT PAY INTO AT ALL[ILLEGALS]OR TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT PAID THE REQUIRED AMOUNT INTO IT.
Republicans would love to reduce or eliminate Social Security, but they need to accept the fact that it isn't going to happen.
There are some basic problems with Social Security. First, there are 78 million Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964. That means from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2029, approximately 11,900 people will turn 65 every day. The United States will be saddled with the medical care for 78 million Baby Boomers aged 65 to 83 after 2029. This alone will "crack apart" our medical system. With 70 million legalized abortions so far, in America, there is a shortfall of 70 million potential workers to continue the Social Security program. Whether anyone considers abortion a moral issue or not, it is evident that this has become an economic and financial issue in regard to Social Security. Immediate PERSONAL FINANCIAL EDUCATION MUST BE MANDATORY FOR ALL PEOPLE AT ALL AGES TO COMBAT AMERICA'S FINANCIAL IGNORANCE. This Personal Finance Education should require that all people have a mandatory vocational aptitude test by age 15 to see what that person's talents, interests and skills are in terms of employment as well as mandatory education on investments, pensions and retirement. Also the last bastion of discrimination to be eliminated is age discrimination in employment. Common sense would dictate that if the United States continues on this inflationary path, every person would have to continue to work in some form until that person is dead. Our taxation system must also be overhauled or eliminated. I believe only in a value added tax on products and only a small tax to co
Is it possible to add any of the following options: 1. Have your 6,2% payroll deduction go straight to an IRA or 401K an opt out of Social Security. 2. Pass legislation that Social Security funds cannot be used for anything else but Social Security, so as to not create a Social Security Fund deficit. 3, Start teaching personal investment classes and economics in the seventh grade and through High School, so that the population can take a greater responsibility in their retirement funds.
The social security benfits should be based on the years worked and how much tax was put it
For retirement should be 62 and ss benefits should be higher.
I beleive that those in the upper brackets of income should pay their fair share in taxes, there is no reason why the tax stops once you have made $114,000 per year and the rest of the your earnings are not taxed tax every dime.
Too many young people on ss disability and working off the books
There was no reference to income tax credits for people with low wages and/or benefits. This may become a consideration in determining disposable income and keeping a % of aged above the poverty or greater needs level after retirement.
More of an emphasis needs to be put in informing "young people," about the process and different strategies that are being presented.
it is money that we earn, it seem that the more you work the less you get and the government gets more of what you are working all your life for. they should find a way to put away the money we pay in SS taxes and have it earn an interest, but I see it as is only the big guys will benefit of what you have earn and suppose to have the government set aside for your benefits..for me I work to support the government from 38,thousand 500 a year government ends up with close to 11,500 a year now can I just set that a side in 30 years that is a good chunk of money! I should had save for me myself and I not supporting the Gov.
corporations could be asses a extra tax toward SS
I think SS should not be seen as a benefit that you have purchased but rather, as a program to insure dignity for seniors that is paid for by all employed on all their salaries. High income earners should not receive moneys but submits to a means measurement. Thus reduce caps, reduce PEOPLE receiving SS, and start to redefine the program.
Congress needs to make these crucial decisions as soon as possible. Their failure to enact crucial legislation in a timely fashion is a disservice to all Americans and instills a vote of "No Confidence" on my part.
As it currently stands, those receiving the least amount of social security ($800/month), must rely on food stamps, subsidized housing, and Medicaid to survive. Those who receive social security just above the poverty line ($1200/month) do not qualify for the above-mentioned subsidies. Either you must retire broke or retire wealthy. It does not make sense for those who have invested for retirement and earn two pensions to receive additional social security. They go to casinos and gamble it away. It is not fair to those who fall in the middle. Wealthy retirees should be given the option to give back their social security in exchange for a tax break. This would help those who make too much to get subsidies and too little to survive.
Those people that are at the extreme top of earnings and wealth should not be able to collect social security. I know it is not 'fair' that they not collect what they put in but in this instance let social security simply be considered a surtax on their wealth of earnings. Does a CEO of a corp who already gets several hundred thousand/year in pension benefits alone also be entitled to the less than 30,000 max in soc sec?
we must ensure social security is solvent. we must ensure that seniors who need the most help recv a livable wage.
If we lower the standard of living of all people equally, they will not miss the higher standard of living. Take what we need to reduce the shortfall and the markets will adjust, forcing the people to adjust.
no members of congress should receive SS benefits--their pensions are generous enough. Also they receive medical coverage for life. All households making over $1million a year should receive NO SS benefits.
what about women who spent their lives taking care of husband, kids and home and then were left by their husbands with no ability to get good jobs late in life?
How dare anyone take money from the Social Security fund. I am a senior living soley on my social security after 25 years of working and can hardly survive. We need to continue to fund social security and RAISE it so the elderly can live comfortably!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People believe that their contributions go into an escrow account, for themselves. Much misunderstood. Meicare is intolerably unfair as stereotyopes are created about us aging up folks, as if we're equal, we're not. So Sec Disability in New York State is a bad joke; those who need it do not always get it. Another misconcept, It's not there when you need it most.
CANADA HAS NO PROBLEM NONE OF THESE PROBL EMS WLD HAVE AR ISEN WITH BETTER HANDLING OF MONEY GOVT RECVS NONE OF THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED
Many receive Social Security benefits that never contributed to the program. I think portions of the SS law should be modified that would help reducing the deficit.
Lottery money...a percentage should go to ss ...not the IRS..all ages play the lottery...and its in our nations best interest to do so...a cap should be placed on the amount you could win...say 100 million....anything over goes to ss ...education still gets their cut...problem solved! 1.3 billion for 3 people to share is a crime this past year...all states should do this and a national lottery.
You never hear about the amount of monies left, entirely, by people who have died without being able to collect because they had an early death. I personally had one brother who died at age 51 and a sister who died at age 72. One collected nothing and the other collected for a short time. That's only 2 of many people I know of who either died before being able to collect or collecting very little. With cancer playing a very big role on people dying in their 50's and early 60's, why doesn't anyone speak about the money never collected? There has to be a substantial amount of money paid into the fund which never is collected. With a meager $250.00, paid for death benefits, that is a disgrace. When will someone speak up about all the money left by deaths ?
Remove SS entirely and force people to provide for their own savings and retirement. Increase the 10 year requirement to 25 years. DO NOT ALLOW ILLEGAL ALIENS TO DIP IN TO SOCIAL SECURITY!!!!
Social security is a contract with our gov't. When LBJ raided the Sosec trust fund he did a tremendous disservice to the people of the nation
the youngerpeople should be subjet to the present rules.
Stop making up welfare groups & paying out of SS.
Can it and let people save their own money. Stashing it under your mattress would net you more money than what the idiots in D.C. are doing to it.
As a retiree i have heard many publicly paid employees identify Social Security as their "play" fund for second homes in better weather areas as well as new boats, cars, travel, etc. Many retire early (20 years of service, age 55 for example) and receive huge pensions equal to 100% of pay or higher (overtime having a bearing), 80% of pay, 75%, 70%, 60% , etc.) Social Security should not be "play or fun" money. Those with taxpayer funded pensions should not be allowed to work for the "gravy" train especially when private industry employees will get much more reduced pensions but still pay significant taxes to furnish a better lifestyle for the overly fortunate.
Social security is for those who at one point are left with no choice to retire early and to continue living is a struggle with maintaining housing food and so on it gets harder to live
i find it hard to understand why congress did not give us a 1% increase in our benefits this year because there was no increase in the COLA, but gave themselves a $3000.00 raise because there was an increase in the COLA. HELLO!!??
the government should return ALL the money they have taken from social security
One of the key expenses that become especially burdensome to seniors and is never mentioned at the national level is the burden of property taxes which in many cases are a cost that is larger than their medical expenses. This is out of control and is a result of inadequate funding of education, infrastructure, etc . by the Fed and State governments. I live in New York and these costs are dumped on the local property owner, largely so that Fed and State politicians can brag that they will not raise income taxes. How does this relate to Social Security? Much of that SS income is used to pay those taxes.
Social Security was supposed to be one leg of the so called three legged stool; i.e: savings, pension and Social Security. No more pension, just 401 Ks. Lol, that's not working.
Social security should not be viewed as a retirement plan, but a safety net. As someone in their 40's, I see my parent's generation sucking the system dry before I would ever benefit from it. I would rather get all of my employers' and my contributions back to put in a retirement plan that I manage!
I think that social security Be a flat tax. Only paid and incresed by the number of years you worked..
I think the government should have accepted more responsibility and instead of borrowing from the fund, found ways to use the money to increase the fund. I could not live on social security alone.
A huge adjustment needs to be made to SSD which is also depleting the system. Too many people are receiving benefits they should not receive as the definition of "disabled" has been totally bastardized.
We need social security to be there for us when we retire.
I feel that people who work their whole lives should not be penalized on what they earn especially the middle income and below.Ones who don't work their whole life and use the system should be
I hear that those in the Senate , congress and up don't pay into the Social Security system because they don't use it and if this is true then it's not fair and irrelevant to solve half a problem because those individuals make a lot of income and their expenses are written off ... everyone should be on the Social Security system or no one should be on it.
I planned for the future, but my husband's diagnosis of Alzheimer's has made the pensions and social security payments absolutely vital as his care costs are exorbitant. Also, I could never have stayed in my job until the retirement age as it is now, and some conditions make it impossible.
Stop gvmt from borrowing from ss. Stop very wealthy from receiving any ss benifits
The elderly usually do not have family to take care of and some have stopped driving (a big expense) and eat less but: medical and care expenses are sometimes high. A check on who goes to a food kitchen might be a good idea.
ELIMINATE the benefit for divorced people to claim their ex spouses benefit. Divorce is the dissolution of marriage and therefore, this benefit needs to be eliminated!!!
Flat tax we should abolish the IRS save millions and billions of dollars and go to a flat tax
Prevent Congress from taking from the fund. The fund doesn't exist because Congress has spent it. Mandate Congress repay the money it spent and prevent further borrowing.
Would it be possible to entirely eliminate social security payments to the very wealthy? Someone like Donald Trump definitely doesn't need social security benefits according to his net worth.
As income to cost ratios continue to rise in our society, social security becomes ever more important. it will not be replaced by 501K's and like for most earners who are already falling behind in their purchasing/saving ability. Changes to ensure the ongoing viability of SS are also insurance against the alternative which is the potential for future generations to finish their lives in utter poverty.
It's taking us too long to deal with this issue. We need to implement a plan ASAP
EVERYONE should pay their social security taxes for the entire year regardless of their income level. If low wage earners can do it, then the upper wage earners should do it as well, and this NEVER should have been cut off at a certain amount. If this had been the case all along, then we wouldn't be in the mess we are facing now!!!
Put the money from government waste and fraud into the SS fund. Government should pay back all the money they've raided from Asa's over the years.
Why are all Federal employees and congressmen etc exempt . My business is hurt by paying 0ver 12 % of every ones salary plus a 401 K contribution Maybe the government should participate too Think how much more could be collected..... Our elected officials should never be allowed to exempt themselves from any law they pass....
I did not see any plan to reduce the number of people who work on handling Social Security--or in reducing the time spent on this whole business. Could costs be cut in that department?
I blame the Social Security shortfall as well as our dilapidated infrastructure on decades of Congressional neglect.
I know by the time I retire it will not longer be social security for me or my children.
With the majority of women working jobs, the ability of women to claim benefits under their spouses SSN should be eliminated.
You need to be fair with the people that are working for their retirement and secure the system for them. We also need to assess the people that are getting benefits and are not disabled or are cheating on their payments and not contributing what they should. We have too many people on SSI that draw from this system unfairly. We need to look into the people periodically that get benefits and home visits would not be out of the question to assess needs and find a few who are fraudulent in their claims.
Reduce SSI and other programs that have been added to Social Security over the years. Fund only retirement and disability retirement from the trust fund. Pay for other social welfare programs from appropriate funding sources. Make Social Security the plan it was designed for - retirement!!!
I feel too many people are receiving unemployment and welfare benefits which encourage them to work a minimum amount. If these people were encouraged to work more there would be an increase in social security income.
1. Why did the law institute a cap on the amount of income subject to payroll taxes in the first place? 2. Having retired at age 67 myself, I have found the SS provides less that half of my needed income. How do people survive on SS alone?
I'm receiving 1,030 a month, over the last 5 years, I've received 2 cost of living increases, 16.00, 17.00, and 3 years with no cost of living increase. Food, medical, heat, rent, are especially increasing in price rapidly, and are necessities for the elderly.
I feel Senior Citizens such as myself, have worked hard, I myself have worked more than 65 years, having become "retired" due to job classification being "eliminated" after 23+ years as a Church Secretary and then not being aware of and having to follow through for myself, as to Pension Benefits due me. A very small pension amounts to $50 wk and Social Security less than $600 mo. is hardly living in style and having to pay a mandatory drug coverage for drugs that cost less than the monthly premium is an insult to those of us who are American Citizens.
I feel that Congress and the Senate should be using the same Social Security system that everyone else does.
I think raising the poorest of the populations benefits to at least $1,000 a month would be good, since these people have not had the advantage of other investments and ways of saving money. However, they should have been the working public--not these people coming over the boarder for three years and going home with full social security checks from our Country!!
I am surprised I did not know the SS minimum is below poverty level. So, even more surprised that presidential primary candidates are not mentioning this, or if they are, that news channels are not repeating it. Hmm.
Elected officials need to help everywhere by not getting as big of a raise or as many benefits. It's out of control!
Interesting way to see the whole picture. We also need to implement a protection to the fund so that policy can not be passed to utilize the money for anything then Social Security.
Cut foreign aid and special grant funding
so enjoyed this exercise! hope to be a part of many more! Thanks!
I really hope something will be there when I retire.
I think to be fair Social Security should be used for all in the way it was meant to be, you get what you put into at the end, if the higher paid people don't mind helping out that is one thing, but to make it so people can't live a decent life when older is wrong.
Items such as disability and death benefits could or should be considered under a single payer health program such as extending Medicare to all citizens similar to other progressive nations and not trying to reinvent the wheel or establishing a legacy by having a politicians name attached to a piece of bogus legislation
What happened to the money that the government took from Social Security. Will they try it again?
Social Security is a horrible ponzi scheme. The sad thing is if I made 40,000 a year for my entire working life (22-67 with zero raises) and invested 6.2% of my salary in mutual funds that returned 8% (a very reasonable return over such a long term), when I retired I would have 1 million dollars in my retirement account! I would be able to replace 100% of my salary and have a massive nest egg to pass to my heirs. That is not even including the employer match! Talk about retiring with dignity. If people were more financially literate they would be rebelling against social security because it is a terrible deal for everyone, not just high-earners.
You noted there is a reduction in the number of people paying into Social Security due to a lower birth rate. This was true for a number of years, especially when the inflation rate was very high. I am seeing a substantial increase in the number of children being born today. I would like to see the current data for the number of new births over the last 5 years. I believe the balance of the shortfall from my perspective and answers would be leveled out to near even and balanced due to an increase in the number of taxpayers in the years to come. Additionally, if the minimum wage was raised to a "living wage" more money would flow into Social Security. Way too many people are living below the poverty level even though they are working. The cost of food, clothing, shelter, medical expenses, and prescription drugs has lowered the personal purchasing power of nearly all seniors. Cable television rates are climbing to 8% over the inflation rate today. Seniors would not need substantial increases in their benefits, if we could freeze or lower those basic need costs.
SOCIAL SECURITY HAS NOT HAD A COLA RAISE IN 5 YEARS SO WE ON SS DO NOT HAVE THE SPENDING POWER WE SHOULD HAVE
Donald Trump keeps commenting that he is worth billions of dollars. If he truly cares about our country, he could disclose his tax documents and contribute a billion dollars to Social Security this election year.
We can help every other country in the world, it's time for us to help our own.
People are afraid to face reality and approach this honestly. The simplest solution is to eliminate the income restriction...that solves 66% of the shortfall in one move according to this surveys provided information. In conjunction with some of the other arguments postulated, it would seem this is a viable option. Lets look at a few other things. Baby boomers are retiring, yes, people are having less children, people are living longer...these are all temporary constructs. We should not assume they will continue forever. People may start dying sooner, people might start having more children again, and one thing we do know is that after the baby boomers die off, we will have some relief on the social security fund. But in the here and now. We fix this by taxing everyone the same. Regardless of income. If the arguments are the those who earn more money dont need as much help later in life, then why do we give those people a break? If 6% of every dollar a working American earns is taxed on social security, why does that change when somebody makes $117000 a year? Those additional dollars at 6% are the same as the dollars beneath them.
I would like to see more contributions based on non-earned income: capital gains on stocks, real estate, etc. Let the 1% really contribute from where they receive their incomes.
Why is there a SS earnings cap, anyway? makes no sense to me.
To solve the short fall, the government should take the money from somewhere else and put back what was "borrowed" from the Social Security fund and never paid back.
What about making sure immigrants have a pathway to citizenship and that they pay into the Social Security system.
Abolish SSA and give the People what they have earned over their Lifetime of work....
any way you look at it, the lower class an middle class is going to suffer as usual
The Government should just pay back the money they took out for their own agenda! That would fix Social Security. Do not allow ANYONE who has not paid into it, take one "Red Cent" out of it.
If you earn over $100,000, SS Tax should be increased a percentage for every additional $50,000 earned.
please make congress pay back what they stole from social security; furthermore, don't let congress raid the social security funds in the future, that is stealing.
I understand that Congress has used the money from Social Security for other things and that has contributed to the situation of shortfall. Can we NOT allow money slated to Social Security to be used in any other way?
I think it's wrong the working middle class is always penalized. The problem of people living off of Welfare and not contributing is never addressed. Im tired of paying taxes so that lazy people can sit home...
The government keeps using the money for their other program or to cover short falls in other areas. If they had left it alone there would be no problem.
Eliminate the cap and impose term limits on Washington Congress people to get new blood and ideas in place.
It is mentioned that part of the reason for the shortfall is that Americans are having less children to contribute. Yet, in the graph reflecting the elderly eligible for SS the number continues to rise. Wouldn't there be less elderly eligible for SS at some point in the future if we are now having less children to contribute?
Any changes made should be gradual and indexed to increase over time. That way you will permanently solve and funding issues. People adjust to gradual changed rather than any decrease in a benefit when they have no other earning option.
Yes, there are students whose parents receive ssi because their children receive special services like speech, special ed. The parents do not spend the $ on their children but the education department spends more money to educate them.
Tax the wealthiest Americans with a % that equals what the lower wage earns pay... THAT IS FAIR!
Social Security benefits are and have been part of my retirement planning for 30 years. Reducing my benefits would be a huge financial burden. It should not be done.
Social security disability should be given to people that have a disability that is permanent . a different rate should be given to temporary disability. If a person has a speech disability every bit of help should be given to them to help them but monetary amounts are not required . that is a waste of money.
It is a fact that people who have worked 30 or more years do not feel that SSI benefits are adequate for maintaining their quality of life. They also feel that retirement benefits should be equal for EVERYONE, including our politicians.
Pay back the money taken away from SS funding
Govt should not borrow from it to pay other programs
stop the government from raiding the social security funds and not paying it back, also, why is it that congress and the senate get their raises yearly and also receive pay for life for doing a poor job, wouldnt it be nice if the working class could have this, our leaders suck, we have been paying all our lives, why do they not have to, most of our politicans have never held a real job in their lifetime, give the retirees a break.
Should be weighted more heavily in favor of collecting the tax from the highest incomes
Look into the sub benefits. man 72 marry's 32 year old ;;2 kids ;;;gets benefits;;;;;husband dies insurance guarantees his income for wife and kids;;;;she still gets benefits for each child;;;not needed in this case;;;and there are more out there
I would hope we would not be using social security funds to pay for the research and tracking on COLA and fund changes.
I have heard that ssi is running out of money all my life and do not believe it.Who can possibly know what will happen between now and 2033.Who knows what will happen this year no less then 17 years from now.I mean more immigration will bring more workers to pay into the system then why worry about the birthrate[again this year]
If I remember right the Govt borrowed money from Social Security several times. So go back in history and have the Govt return what they borrowed. If I remember right that equals millions.
Try to spread the burden of correcting the problem.
Close corporate tax loopholes as a way of increasing revenue.
Allowing very wealthy to voluntarily not get S.S. benefits if income is over one million dollars a year.
A new higher tax on the wealthy to cover the shortfall.
What is considered by you as high income is completely unrealistic, the starting amount should be raised by at least 50,000.
How about the GOVERNMENT paying back into Soc. Sec. ALL the money they have taken out (for yrs.) & used for their own purposes? How about the ELECTED gov't officials PAYING TAXES themselves & stop mooching off the taxpayers? How about sending all the ILLEGALS back to their own countries & STOP putting the financial burden on the rest of America?
Since Congress & the Administrations over the years are the ones who screwed up Social Security then all future, present & past members & dependents will forfeit all benefits which will be funneled into the Social Security fund. Make it a felony for any politician to mess with Social Security & if they do they will automatically be fired & go directly to jail.
SS is an ENTITLEMENT not a benefit. People who have worked, paid the tax MUST not have benefits cut. People are living longer so retirement age needs to be lengthened gradually. Those with greater incomes need to pay more.w/o caps.
The US gives so much aid to other countries. A small fraction of that would help SS considerably. Also, what about the money that was "borrowed" from SS to fund other programs. That needs to be repaid.
The rich people should not get social security as they do not need it.
I believie that people have always thought that they would benefit from receiving their Social Security when they retired.
Congress should NOT be appropriating funds from SS to cover other shortfalls
If the government lowered military spending we would have more money for social security.
Make sure people are getting paid a decent wage to begin with. If people made more then the minimum wage they could save for retirement. There will be fewer jobs in the near future so extending the working age to 67 will cause problems because no one will hire an older work. Fewer jobs will be created from technology, computers and automation. Currently, there are many older works becoming displaced and never being hired.
Why is the fact of the government "borrowing" from Social Security not addressed? The more I read about this independently the more I hear how the Government is using Social Security funding to pay for other aspects of spending.
I very much believe in the concept of ss..cap off withholding is the best idea
This poll ignores other aspects of the Social Safety Net which should be included in any discussion - SSDI, "welfare", medical care, pension security, and problems with 401k and other retirement programs. The whole idea of SSI was that elderly and disabled people were living in poverty, and shouldn't have to live that way. There should be a guaranteed minimum standard of living available to all Americans, whether or not they're able to work. Currently, the social welfare system in the United States fails at this task. Reducing prices on prescription drugs and reducing co-pays for medical care would reduce a serious expense for the sick and elderly. Likewise, Single Payer medical programs would also reduce expenses - both for consumers and for Medicare. Altering 401k programs so that they're less vulnerable to market forces and dishonest managers - or even bringing back defined pension benefits - would also relieve pressure on SSI and would allow retirees to live at a standard above the minimum. Currently, most Americans can't afford to retire on their 401k, whereas their grandparents were able to afford a comfortable retirement on company pensions. Finally, raising wages, especially the minimum wage, would also help fund the SSI program, and would make payroll tax increases more acceptable - especially to low-income workers. US workers have seen very slight gains in real wages over the past 40 years, despite massive gains in productivity. That needs to change.
Higher earners need to contribute more. That is the bottom line., I don't make over the current cap, but am close and fully support raising the contributions of the high earners.
Just seems like changes must be made, do nothing: get nothing. I support changes!
Because I am not an accountant, nor am I good at visualizing numbers my answers were somewhat conceptual, not specific. I think there needs to be a combination of increasing revenue and controlling expenses to deal with the shortfall. In addition we have to stop raiding the SS trust fund and stop adding to list of reasons for giving money from Social Security. Using money from SS to pay for programs that were not part of SS is a smoke and mirror way for politicians to establish new social programs (please know this is not to say those programs aren't valid) and not pay for them. We need to be up front in what we decide is necessary and then be willing to fund it.
I have struggled all my working life. I live paycheck to pay check.Never have enough to enjoy life,travel....just enough to pay bills barely. People on welfare get more benefits than I do. My children never got a cell phone til over the age of 21. I just bought my first tablet for $50.00. My buying power is almost nonexistant now. It will be even less in future.
We need to move further away from theoretical thinking and planning to a more realistic and reality based way of thinking and planning for our moms, dad's and other hardworking US citizens, which at some point will be you and me. Some law and policy-makers have no idea what it's like to have to pay for healthcare, food and basics. Everyone can't hold political office or command a high salary including a pension and medical care for life. But that doesn't mean this group should not, in some way, do their part to help level the playing field for fellow Americans.
If there is a serious reduction in the amount people receive "under the table" that extra amount should more then cover the levels that social security is being limited. The penalties and further more, the governments ability to quickly and cheaply monitor what people are receiving in the way of tips or pay should be better monitored. Further, any government borrowing from social security should immediately be halted and any funds that have been taken should be replaced. The purpose of social security should not be abused to subsidize other projects in the USA. Reducing the level of funding being provided to other countries should be the first item that is limited or fully removed. Essentially if we are looking at our budget for social security and basing it off of what USA citizens have paid in, it is wrong that people from other countries (regardless if they are impoverished) should receive any USA funding before our own situation has been resolved.
Contributions should be kept separated and protected from congressional access for other budget purposes or shortfalls. If this money is conservatively invested I believe the compounded returns would more than adequate to sustain the program!
anyone that has a net income of 300,000 should have social security prorated down until at 500,000 and more they do not get any social security benefits at all
Social security is a moral obligation to our workers and particularly the vulnerable and I find it offensive that policy makers would even consider cuts or reductions in benefits to low income seniors.
Most of the highest earners will simply find ways to get compensation not subject to SS Tax. Also, removing the cap still hurts the middle class when it's the higher earners that should pay more. We should tax income up to the current max, exclude income between it and, say $250,000, and then tax wages above $250,000
have higher wage earners pay a higher social security tax ie: 100,000 - 117,000 pay 6.7% social security tax. it could be incremental
It shouldn't be in the governments hands to handles retirement income. This is a Ponzi scheme by definition. Tax those less that are saving for themselves. Stop providing pensions to government employees. The private companies have much abandoned pensions.
stop the government from using ss for their personal slush fund for what ever they need extra funds for some projects or relief for other counties
The social security shortfall could be significantly reduced, if not eliminated completely, If the government paid back all the money "borrowed" from the system when it was flush.
Grow the economy, create more jobs with more contributors...high contributors... will cut the gap even more. To do that, we need to make the U.S. more business friendly.
I think we would not be in this mess if the gov't kept Social Security safe from borrowing to cover the national debt. If they balanced the budget and reduced budgets in other areas, the deficit would be much smaller. Too much pork barrel projects!
Our elected officials took advantage of the funds that were contributed to this fund. They raided the fund to impress their constituents and ensure their own re-election. This practice should have been stopped long ago. Now the existing lack of funds and the problems forced upon the workers who did the contributing can no longer be kept from the people. Time for those responsible for creating the current problem to 'face the music' . . . leave office, go home and allow more responsible citizens to be elected to represent.
Our SS has been raped by our government. ..put the money back and all will be good
Nothing was stated here about the amount of revenue removed, or stolen, from the ss account. Not to mention if this money had remained in the account and modestly invested. Ss would be abundantly solvent, even surplused. Why isnt this part of the solution?
Stop paying out soc securoty to people who never put money in.only allow widow/widower benefits. Do not rob from thus fund..ie..ss disability. Many able bodied people can work and get benefits instead..not tight! Once baby boomers die, the next group will be a smaller pipulation to deal with. Quit stealing from those who contributed, without a say in it. Soc securitywas not supposed to be a,sole retirement pkan. Stop threatening workers who contributed and give them what was promised. Quit calling it an entitlement6, we contributed, without say, govt stole and mismanaged the funds. Enough!#
Allowing people to invest more on a yearly basis in there 401 would help to ensure high income people need less in SS once they retire.
It is Social SECURITY, not Government retirement plan. It is also a complete sham and the biggest ponzi scheme ever designed. There is NO Social Security Trust. ALL the taxes paid go into the general fund and all the payments come out of the general fund. The entire reason SS was started is to get people to STOP working since there were no jobs after the Great Depression.
The top 10% of wealthy people who are millionaires should forfeit their benefits or get a tax credit to forfeit their benefits.
People with low Social Security payments tend to receive help from other agencies, such as Social Services, food stamps and HEAP. There are also subsidized housing opportunities funded by HUD and Rural Development (USDA). The people who are hurt the most are those who have worked 30 years, receive and minimal retirement and only $1200/mo. If couples retires on more than $30,000/yr. they do not qualify for any additional aid, and are expected to "eat" the rising costs of heating, food, transportation, gas, school taxes, insurances, medicines etc. This "middle" group is actually still working just to maintain their day-to-day living situations. In the United States, there are only rich and poor. The rest of us just try to live, then we die.
I lie to see a government spending audit every 6 months or quarterly to determine where reallocating government funding and ending wasteful spending should be addressed.
Some people who are disabled have to live off of Social Security and so cutting it down and monitoring what people buy with it seems cruel and communistic. Don't cut it improve it.
Those who are self employed, should NOT have to pay double, perhaps lessen their tax rate until it is only 1.5 times as much.
II am 45, and I am not even considering SS benefits as part of my retirement income. Whatever I get will be a bonus.
why not address the issue of raising early retirement to 63 0r 64
Use private insurance and not medicade for medical services.
It seems unfair to always expect the rich to bail others out without them getting any benefits for themselves. (I am not rich, by the way!)
It's a shame that any retirees should have to live in poverty, after working for 30 years. Low-wage jobs are punishment enough. I believe that the vast majority of low-income people work just as hard or harder than those who earn more, and our retirement benefits should ensure a decent standard of living. We need to increase taxes on higher earners, and reign in defense spending.
SSI is taxed double on the front end by employers contributions and amounts are taken out of the employees pay. If I were a candidate for the US Senate in Florida, I would propose that SSI not be taxed when benefits are paid out to the elderly. I have already been able to reduce the shortfall by 124% which means that 24% is surplus. Furthermore, The wasteful spending that congress is engaged in would more than cover even more benefits for the seniors in our country. The least we can do is give back to the individuals that made this once a great country.
Ban social security to those who have or receive 3 pension,like ceo 's teachers etc can you tell me how certain professional and get three or more pension can still get these benefits !
I know that in the 70's monies were removed from Social Security to pay for other things. If this wasn't done we would have enough money for the Seniors now.
decrease benefits for top 5%, raise income cap to 300,000, reduce fraud and benefits being given to non-earners for the full 30 year minimum
1) Social Security was NEVER intended to be a sole means of support, ergo, a minimum payout should NOT be compared to a 'poverty line' metric. 2) SSI and disability has increased to the point where it is draining the SS fund, with benefits going to those who have not contributed. This system has to be better monitored and controlled...it has become an Entitlement and its qualifying subjectivity an opportunity for fraud. 3) We must stop qualifying for and giving away SS benefits to those who have not contributed, and in some cases, are not taxed on this freebie. This disgusts those who have paid in, and makes the SS system politicized. Thank you for listening.
The federal government should have kept their hands off social security in the first place. That way we would not have this situation now.
Nothing comes to mind but thanks for letting me get a glimpse of how the system works.
Nowhere has it mentioned cutting foreign aid to pay bac k what Congress took out of the SSfund years ago. If they pay that back that would solve a lot of problems.
That the wealthy should save for the future. Retirement age should not be raised. The elderly should be able to enjoy there time not working. Retirement age should be 62..
make every one pay his/hers fair share, flat tax, tax off shore accounts, make the government pay back ilegal loans with interest, Problem solved!
Congress put the trust fund in budget and spent it all. Get it back from the programs that benefited from this mis-appropriation. There is plenty of money available. Move it back to where it belongs.
The people making decisions about Social Security are not and never will be dependent on it for living expenses, unlike MOST Americans. Why not do more of this type survey, especially polling those currently living (or subsisting) on Social Security benefits to get a truer picture?
Don't allow Congress to raid the SS fund for other budget items. Money defined for SS should remain in the SS fund and not be used for anything else.
Stop giving benefits to those who do not work or pay into ssn
It seems like the best solution would be to eliminate SS benefits for the very wealthiest of Americans. Given the amount of wealth the top 5% have, SS would not be a significant part of their retirement funding and I'm betting that money would further reduce the shortfall.
The questions ignored the SS disability system and blatant abuse of disability payments. This makes the survey and its results dubious.
social security benefits should only b paid to those who have actively work in there life time, people who lived of the government there entire life should not to continue to do so once they reach the age of retirement
These ideas NEED to be implemented ASAP!
FICA tax should be collected on all income and earnings of those in the top 10% of gross income/year. Payroll tax should stop at 125,000 and resume at 250,000.
Make the benefit based on the number of years worked (or spouse worked for stay at home parents) and also not allowing double dipping for those who have been taking disability for there last several years before retirement age to not take from both pools of money.
I STRONGLY URGE ADJUSTMENT TO THE COLA INCREASES BASED ON WHAT ELDERLY PEOPLE ACTUALLY BUY.
My biggest thing I would like to see is that those that are not able to continue to work get social security.
If there is an issue of a shortfall due to a population boom (baby boomers) then the government should step up and find the money from somewhere else, like the cost of wars, instead of on the back of the worker. And put our representatives on the same system. Society is only as strong as its weakest individuals.
How about try to reduce the shortfall by taking other routes - put Federal employees under social security in lieu of a Federal retirement program. Also give incentives for people to get off public assistance and TO work. This work not only help the social security shortfall but reduce the budget shortfall by increasing the number of people Employed! More contributors and fewer takers!
Has the Social Security fund been utilized for other things besides the retirement of its citizens.
Why don't you talk about all the times that Congress has TAKEN money from Social Security. Maybe they should be required to replace that $ and calculate what it would have generated if it had never been touched and replace that too
The unfairness of non US citizens who take advantage of the Social Security system without ever paying into it and employers who get away with hiring illegals and pay no employment taxes whatsoever.
Social Security is needed most by those at the lower end of the income scale. We spend way too much on fighting wars then we do on our citizens.
Increase immigration of younger people who will get jobs and pay more into Social Security to help balance out population. You could raise retirement levels for people with desk jobs but NOT for people with physically active jobs who tend to be "worn out." Don't throw all those illegal immigrants out of the country because they are paying into SS and will not be able to draw out of it.
It should be forbidden to use any of the SS fund for purposes OTHER than for retirement.
S.S. WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SUPPLEMENT TO HELP TAKE CARE OF ELDERLY, FAMILY. FAMILIES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF FAMILY WITHIN REASON, NOT PUT THEM AWAY, EXPECTING GOV. TO DO IT. BUT THEY SHOULD BE BENEFITS AND HELP FOR THOSE WHO DO. AN ASSIST IS MUCH BETTER THAN TAKING OVER .LET US RETURN TO HUMAN DIGNITY AND RESPECT. COMPANIES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PITCH IN TO WHERE THEY WORKED. IT NEEDS TO BE REVAMPED AND CHANGED
The notion that the money people paid into Social Security will be sitting around waiting for them is a fiction I would like to see go by the wayside. The payouts from today are based on the Social Security payments of today -- let's leave it at that. Alternatively, if we want to keep up the description that your money paid in is waiting for you, that would be something more like a state-run pension plan, which might also be workable.
SS needs to be an actuarially sound way to provide retirees and disabled workers with enough income to sustain them. Figure out what that is and set the retirement age to when people want/need to retire, and the rate we need to collect is just math. The system needs to work for the poorest Americans and middle class.
I work with a lot of retired veterans who now make twice what I make and have many working years left ahead of them. They are making a ton if money and complain about cola.
The poverty level for retirees is much lower than for families educating children, buying houses, paying costs of commuting, ... Analysts never seem to consider that fact.
This simulation, and the exercise it simulates, present a false dichotomy: the only options are to increase revenue and/or decrease benefits. There are myriad other options, such as privatizing social security, making social security optional, and making a 'line in the sand,' i.e., people born after x/x/xx are eligible for optional, decreased maximal, or other combinations of benefits.
No mention is made of monies that have been borrowed from Social Security for other federal programs with out repayment terms being discussed before hand. That is a key factor in many people's mind.
Social Security goes hand-in-hand with Medicare, so I think Medicare should be included in discussions to form a full, complete pictures of covering Seniors' needs.
I see that the government has many hard decisions to make and taking the survey that helped me understand those decisions thank you
I think people should be responsible & save on their own & not depend on the government. A person that makes more should not be penalized
I feel that the Government should tighten their belts , cut payroll and spend wisely and repay the money to Social Security that has been robbed. There were many many more workers working "BABY BOOMER'S" and paying into Social Security than what was paid out. Where is the money?
As usual, the Federal Government has screwed this up. They have robbed the trust fund. Congress needs to take a drastic pay cut and benefit cut which should help the fund.
Are illegal alliens included in the numbers that are receiving social security? I so, it needs to be changed by the Congress that got us in this mess to start with by taking no action.
Social Security is just a tax with another name. It is way past time that the very wealthy step up to supplement the very poor.
I'm 29yrs old and feel by the time I'm able to retire my hard work and money put in will be shorted.
Social Security Administration itself needs to look at ways it can cut back on their costs.
DONT RAISE THE RETIREMENT AGE.....IF YOU HAVE WORKED THIRTY YEARS OR MORE YOU SHOULD RETIRE WHEN YOU WANT DONT RAISE THE AGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fix it so congress cannot touch the money for any use except that of what it was meant for.... the American retirees.
I feel that we are getting underpaid for all the years that we paid into SS and that we are getting paid a % based on 40 year ago wages. One cannot support themselves or keep up with the COLA increases.
No one who has worked 30 or more years, and contributed to the Social Security system during those years, should not be punished and should be able to see the full benefit of their contributions. It's ludicrous to me to think that I'm contributing now in my 30's but there is a chance I won't see any thing when I do finally retire. Rationally, I know my money now goes to those on Social Security now, but there's got to be some safety net for when I retire in another 30 years, no?
Social Security should remain untouched by other government activities
I thought you did an excellent job of presenting the facts. I wish more American had this sort of education and research presented and felt they could help make decisions about policy! I think the minimum age must be increased. Americans are living longer and younger Americans will be healthier; allowing them many more years to work and earn.
I don't think that those workers who are "double dippers" should be eligible for full social security benefits. There should be a means test for those who retire with large and/or multiple pensions. Jobs become more stressful as you approach retirement and the cruel truth is that employers frequently treat senior employees badly or fire them if possible so asking people to work until 70 is hardly fair to those workers or their families.
The first policy change should be to block the government from ever touching this money again. They are the irresponsible ones, not the consumer. Second, make congress use the same system as the people instead of their elitest system they use now. They screw up Social Security because it doesn't affect them.
So, we've eliminated the option of letting people manage their own benefits? Ones in their 40's now have smarts, tech savvy to do this.
The statistic about senior poverty levels may not have been 100% accurate. Does it make any assumptions about seniors living by themselves rather than with their families or in elderly communities? How would the rate be impacted by universal healthcare coverage.
This is doable, but Congress cannot do anything.
How much input is being solicited and received from people who are currently exercising their social security benefits? What could we learn from their experience?
I believe that your survey addressed all of my concerns. I have often wondered why SS taxes were not collected on all the money that people make, instead of just a percentage. Good Survey!
The rich get richer!The middle class gets the shaft every year!
Government spending is out of control. There are better ways to fix this crisis than to mess with the income of low income and middle class families.
The 117000 cap should be raised sooner not later. If I have to pay 6.5% on my total earnings so should everybody.
Congress should stop robbing he fund, and then it would not be in trouble
Keep the politicians fingers out of the publics money. I.e. Social security.
Quit paying social security for disabilities and for illness such as sickle cell anemia.
I would greatly prefer a government sponsored 401k style program that was tied to payroll tax and tied to investments through bonds.
pay back what congress borrowed from SS. Stop paying benefits to people who have not earned them
The minimum amount of years worked to become eligible for social security should be increased. Although I agree with a somewhat progressive system, it should not punish someone for working hard and earning more than the average. There should be an education initiative to ensure everyone understands that social security is meant to augment other retirement savings and not to be their only source.
my generation has been taught that we will not have Social Security available to us when we retire. I would rather direct my own money than give it to the government to control. I am happy to help those who have come before me but I would like to be able to support myself when I retire. I cannot do that unless the government backs off my earnings. The government is bad at managing money. Let me handle my own finances.
People who have paid in all their lives deserve to get it back. Those who haven't paid in, don't deserve to get a check! Dig deeper in the system, and get rid of all those who are getting SS in a fraudulant way!
SS is not a gift to us . We have worked and entrusted the government to make sure it is returned at retirement. If we could invest our own money in a retirement acct. we would be much better off. It is not an entitlement as gov has changed it to for political reasons.
Retirees should not have a set amount they should make on supplemental jobs.
I feel social security is not that helpful and I don't think it will even be offered to me, certainly not fairly, after putting money into it. If we can force people to pay into this scam already, then why can't we force them to save money by taking what we already take and putting it into actual retirement accounts so people can get all they put into the account plus any increases it made?
I am in favor of a means test to be eligible for benefits. The idea is that SSI is an insurance program to provide income once retired. Individuals that have high retirement income or net worth would not receive payments, but should their income or net worth fall below the means test level the benefits would be instated, including back benefits as a form of insurance. It would be a benefit reduction, but in a form that would do the least harm to benefit recipients, and would still provide some income security to those that exceeded the means test.
Social security is a disaster. When originally established it was voluntary. Over the years liberal democratic admins have milked it and abused it, lying to the American public.
The biggest issue in much our country's economic woes is that the wealthiest citizens are not subject to taxation. In addition, the most wealthy have many loopholes and write offs which keep a lot of revenue out of our economic base.
The Social Security system and shortfall would be much improved if regulations regarding disability benefits were tightened and enforced much more strictly. Just about anyone with a convincing argument or a good lawyer at the appeal process can be approved. Tighter controls (and enforcing them across the board) would greatly impact the shortfall by not paying benefits so easily. Disability and retirement benefits are from the same trust fund.
Oil & gas costs should not be included in the COLA as many of us do not drive that much.
I have always thought high income earners should pay more in social security taxes.
It should be illegal for the government to use or borrow the SS trust fund for ANYTHING other than SS payments. Any IOU's that are there should be repaid within 10 years.
Stop the President and other politions from drawing such a large about of money when they retire.
We need to find other ways to decrease spending in our Government and cut the programs that are dated and don't provide any benefit to our country's working class, in addition, we need to find ways to help grow small businesses instead of smothering them with more taxes.
I have heard and read that there are many cases of fraud in the Social Security system..ie: checks being sent to deceased..people collecting off other SS #'s and people that are illegals not paying SS taxes but collecting benifits...illegally!
Social Security has been changed to a private isntitution which has no obligation to five any of this money back to the people who paid into it. It has given the people's money to the government for other purposes than it was intended rather than investing it wisely to generate the funds necessary to sustain itself. Let the government repay what it has "borrowed" and keep it's hands off what Social Security should be increasing by making wise investments.
Some type of grandfathering should be considered so as to not reclaim what people have already paid in or change how they have planned for their future. Younger people entering the work force will earn more over their lifetime than those who entered the workforce 30+ years ago. They shoul pay more into the system and plan accordingly
Have the members of Congress have to rely on Social Security. Stop paying "benefits" to illegal aliens and to those who have not paid into it unless it was their spouse who paid into it.
I always try to base my decisions on the result being based on a shared principle of responsibility. Current seniors benefited from the inaction of Congress on this issue since 1986.
Using social security now I can tell you we are suffering trying to live under this or any other suggested system . Let's go back to the drawing board and take care of the people that have worked their entire lives and served our country well.Let's take care of our aging citizens. NOW before we are all dead and don't have any life left. Get to it congress. Do something now instead of waiting another 8 years.
The wealthy should pay their fair share of taxes; after all, most of their income has come at the expense of the less wealthy.
I am on SSI, even though I worked many years, not all jobs had taxes taken out (gov. jobs, tax exempt jobs, etc). I receive $733 monthly and I find it beyond difficult to manage my ailments, eat a balanced diet and have teeth and vision due to my poverty level. Coming from an upper-middle class family, this, in my opinion is unacceptable. I am frightened.
Make Social Security so that the funds cannot be used for anything else. Contribute gradually up to 5% more while reducing benefits at the same time up to 2.5 %.
stop giving benefits to people who are not citizens and have not paid into the system
The Goverment needs to quit handing out free stuff! The Bible says if you don't work you don't eat. They are much younger and healthier people just lying around and watching TV. Quit giving them FNS. People need to learn how to grow gardens and be self suffient. Get them off their lazy butts!!!
Please investigate more abuse in social security. Such as disabled people who draw benifit and are able to work . Keep lawyers out of drawing benifits. Rely on Drs. Reports. Then have a yearly check up. GOD bless the USA??
Working in factories most of my life I know about using up my body before retirement age. I also never hear from anyone, that the government should repay all the funds that it has taken or stole from the SS fund. If it was as worried about taking care of its elderly and veterans rather than taking care of the rest of the world, we would be having this problem now. It is high time that the middle man gets taken care of like promised and not burden more by trying to fix something we didn't break. Start a fund to fund SS.
Make the politicians give back the money that they stole from Social Security. Make all politicians and there staff rely on Social Security instead of their own retirement plans.
One reason we don't have younger people joining the workforce is because older people can't afford to retire, therefore keeping the better paying jobs out of reach.
As part of a household in the higher income bracket, we would gladly pay social security tax on our full income in order to be sure all social security recipients live above the poverty line.
If you take the cap off of salary I believe we would be in a surplus.
Government needs to keep their hands out of the SSA piggy bank! They need to pay in as well! The money we pay for lifetime wages and benefits for Senate and Congress should end when their term ends. They should receive a small pension, but no insurance. The difference should go directly into the social security fund. That would more than take care of shortfalls and allow for hefty increases. Is the money in a high interest bearing account? that would certainly help.
Yes! Thanks for finally asking. I believe that Social Security should be guaranteed for anyone who has worked 30 years. I am furious that I've worked for 35 years already and that by the time I am 65, I will have worked 51 years. How dare the US guarantee benefits for those who are born before 1960 when some have only worked 10 years. I'll be damned if someone who worked 10 years will get benefits and I worked 51 years and don't have benefits. This really cooks my goose!
Our nation must believe in GOD the creater of ALL THINGS...DO WHAT IS RIGHT (THAT MEANS JESUS).
I'm on disability and trying my damnest to live off of 983.00. Where can I go to get help. If I try to get help I'm told I make too much a month. How is that too much a month to get help. Let someone in Congress live off what I do and see how they like it.
All income should be subject to consideration.
I think that every working person should pay social security taxes. All federal employees and the people making these policies.
Social security is not an area for the country with the highest GDP to even consider cutting.
I do not think raising the retirement age will make the social security better or stronger. People are living longer and many are working very hard to make sure when retire they will a social security check.
Get rid of SS altogether and let me save that money myself. The burden of responsibility is on me to secure my future. Stop treating me as if I am incapable.
Some other social programs are wasting money. These programs need to be re-vamped and the savings could be put into the Soc. Security fund.
i think we need to stop giving benefits for people who have not earned it, namely the illegal foreigners that come in and know how to automatically get benefits and then work for cash
we did not get a raise this year, but every time I go to Groc. store, every thing is higher. And my social security is all I have to live on.
Trying to be fair. Having the wealthiest pay more of rheir share to support those who don't make as much. Raising the payroll taxes in my opinion is raising the taxes on the poor because it is a larger percentage of their total earnings. My feeling is raising the age of retirement and not having a cap on social security taxes will reduce the shortfall the fairest.
A general tax revenue option is worthy of discussion. i.e a subsidy of the shortfall by an income tax offset. None of these proposals tax passive income, they only tax wages. The wealthy are not part of the solution!
let the government pay back money it stole from Social Security, cut out welfare, send illegal aliens home...That will make a great start in fixing the problem....
As a person who does bookkeeping for a living, I can tell you that there are people who live in this country illegally and legally, that do not pay into the SS system, and get paid either off the books or with phony social security numbers. If we were to legalize, under certain conditions, a portion of the people that are living here illegally and working off the books, then they would be paying into the system. I want to know where the money is going from those who file under false SS #'s. It is sitting somewhere. For those who are here legally and refusing to pay their taxes, go after the employers and have the employers deduct it, even if they are 1099'd and submit the payment to the system. Go after the professions that the illegals tend to work for, and have them audited. Plenty of people make more income than they report.
Why not allow taxpayers to donate to Social Security fund for a higher deductible than charities? We'll get more $$ into the fund at a faster rate.
SS should be there for everyone. Benefits should keep people above poverty. COLAs should reflect what the elderly buy. However, no income should be protected, and all income should be subject to SS tax.
Often, tax payers wend up paying for those who can't afford living/care in later years through Medicaid (who then takes SS). Although I am not totally in favor of a socialist plan, it seems only appropriate that the most successful businesses and highest wage earners shoulder more of the SS burden. I suspect that by eliminating many of the tax loopholes and exemption that allow the richest to gain even more wealth, we could greatly reduce the burden placed on the lower and middle class. On a personal note, both my parents worked full time in what I would consider professional careers - my mother taught nursing and my dad was a certified Orthotist. Both were forced into early retirement because of health issues. My mom after disabling back surgery and my father from early Alzheimer's. Although they have by most standards "healthy" SS benefits, it is now where near the cost for their care. Although family is currently shouldering the excess expenses and provided care to reduce additional costs, I expect at some point one or both will wind up on Medicaid if they live that long.
Stop the government from "borrowing" money from this program.
Please do not raise the age a person can begin receiving their social security benefits. By the time a person gets to the age of 62 we should be able to rest and not think about getting up in the morning and going to work. Unless they choose to.
Get rid of the spousal benefits. Everyone should stand on their own in this day and age.
I think we should get rid of social security
saving social security for our children and grandchildren is very important. Removing the cap upon which the tax is paid is fair so that the middle class does not have the heaviest burden.
I think the major reason for an ultimate shortfall is the gov't is dipping into the SS benefits for other expenses than SS.
get rid of all the people receiving ss that are dead there are not that many people over 100 still living but yet you send out millions of checks each month
maybe there are other ways to help 80+ citizens, but these are surely the vulnerable years, and SS is the vehicle to provide it currently. Robotics, automation, hi tech in general will gradually reduce the hours worked and SS tax earned. The paradigm needed to deal with that has not been invented, but thinking like this (survey) will start to lead us there.
I would like to see social security be paid out gradually- i.e. from retirement to age 75, you receive some benefit, from 75-80 you receive more benefit, and from 80 and on you receive full benefit.
for most Americans they fall into the groups that pay into SS. The CAP unfairly rewards those who make above the CAP. They are collecting on their SS now. If they had no CAP of SS taxes, they would be sharing in the "American Dream" equally.
There was no option showing how Congress - using Social Security as a general slush fund - has contributed to the problem. Congress should be made to donate portions of their salary to help with this. If they make laws that impact me it should impact them also.
They need to add food cost in the cost of living. That is my biggest cost that is hurting my funds.
If abortion was not legal, there would not be a funding problem! There would be millons and millons more workers supporing the system.
the government need to quit borrowing from social security every time they need something . I earned that money .
I worked for 1/2 my career under social security with low wage and could not put other retirement away. I now work under a public employment pension. I will never be able to retire at the level of my age group on the pension, and my social security benefits will be reduced because I will receive a pension. I's screwed.
The government has been borrowing from its own SS fund which is one reason it faces a potential shortfall
Part of the reason there are so few workers paying into the national Ponzi scheme is that so many youngsters are unemployed and thus not paying into it at all. The Abominable Care Act and expanded welfare eligibility are killing the work ethic of this country.
I think we should eliminate the payroll tax and track individual workers' wages to correlate with potential benefits.
make sure people under retirement age are actually qualified for the ss1 payments they receive ,and are not duping the system.
As I have just retired at age 62, I DO plan to work part time from home. However, I understand that our current President has not allowed a COLA increase twice while he has been in office. To base the increase what the elderly buy is great, but so many things fluctuate in price (such as gas) it would be difficult to establish guidelines. No matter what,Congress decides, it is ultimately up to the American workforce to prepare as best they can for retirement. I have made many changes in my lifestyle to compensate for my lower income and am still living a fairly "normal" life.
People on the lower end of SocSec should have a raise to about 1000.00/month. The 800 dollar range is just too low.
The problem of Social Security has been a long & troublesome on, I would suggest that Government stop spending even trillions of dollars, when does the spending stop?
reduce payouts for non seniors. Aid to parents of disabled children should be reduced, currently about 733 per month per child.
Given we are in the highest of corporate tax ranges in the world, what about special tax breaks for employers paying a portion of employee's pension plans?
Have the congress and president contribute more money of their own to help out social security they can afford it.
Social Security always seemed like it was government saving my money for me. It is more like medicare where you are pouring money into a pool that eventually has withdrawals made on a specific set of calculations. I am not just getting my money back that I put into SS. This is a significant mindshift that is important for everyone to understand for SS to work and for the public to support anything that will keep it afloat.
Social Security benefits should not be taxed, regardless of one's income.
What wasn't addressed is the dirty secret of Politicians and "Pork" that has basically used the Social Security capital to fund this and that as if it was a petty cash account.
I think people in general need to distinguish between their needs and wants.
I just hope something can be worked out that is fair for all. You work and pay your taxes and then everything keeps going up. All Americans, rich and low income should pay their share. Because of all the loop-holes, the saying the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, falls true.
We should consider transferring a large sum of money from other expenditures into the social security fund and then keep it invested. In other words, return the money that was taken from the fund and replace it with an increase. If properly invested, there would be enough in the fund along with removing the cap to always fund until our population declines (without providing benefits to people who never earned).
SS needs to get rid of the windfall so customers can get all the money they Ais in. It really isn't fair.
If the goverment had not took out of the fund it would be in great shape
Automatically giving people more money in lower income bracket does not make sense. What is the incentive for them to try and be successful?
Wouldn't it make sense that each individual pay into their own account. Then once they retire they can receive their exact benefits paid into their account, spread over their retirement in a way that they chose.
I think give Americans more for living cost a month
people who have disabilities shouldn't have such a hard time getting Social Security with more than 1 problem.
Paying taxes for 30 years or more, should give benefits to the elderly for their service.
It would be helpful if the government would pay back the funds previously borrowed from the social Security fund, but I have no suggestion for how that could be done given the present state of the economy and the federal budget.
WHY SHOULD A CAP ON WAGES THAT ARE TAXED EVER HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED? PAY ON WHAT YOU MAKE.
Left out of this survey was the fact that President Johnson "broke" the Social Security lockbox, that the employer match has "disappeared" from the amount retirees earn, and c that the government employee pension offset has done great harm to military veterans, teachers, and other low-wage government employees.
Tell Congress to eliminate the windfall tax that those of us are subject to who have worked in other retirement systems ie Ohio Public Retirement, State Teachers and Law Enforcement
SS disability scams by lazy people who do not want to pay forward.
This was never intended to be people's retirement but rather a safety net if all goes wrong. People need to stop thinking of it in this light
Social security for those with supposed "disabilities" that "can't" work is the main problem I see.
Stop letting people who abuse the system, live off of the government, and those who DO NOT WORK receive any kind of benefits from the government.
The upper class should be putting more into social security instead of the middle and lower class.
Seems like part of the shortfall problem as presented is stagnant wages for a large proportion of the workforce. It would be interesting to see how increasing the federal minimum wage would impact Social Security receipts.
I have almost no S.S. income because of a public employee offset of 2/3. It is just enough to cover my monthly Medicare bill. Others have full pensions and S.S. payments. I don't.
The fact that these assumptions may turn out to be incorrect should be considered and when new economic information is obtained some adjustments should be made.
The primary issue with Social Security is its misuse by the government. The only money in the system should be the money workers have put in. As such, retirees should actually be withdrawing their money like an ATM. New money should be disbursed to the citizens that put it in. Instead, the government has taken the money over the years and has used it as part of the budget to shift around various projects, agencies, and departments. The problem is that the federal government owes its taxpayers and is not willing to pay up.
There should be some way to help caregivers or extra help for those in nursing homes --many seniors are living in poverty.
I would like to see the employees payroll tax increase slightly and the employers increase just once and stop. This way, employers are invested but not burdened as much. This may then lead to wage increases.
Don't let SS die, our future generations will need it. The rich will get richer and there will be no more middle class.
People who have never paid into the Social Security system (foreigners, etc) should NOT receive benefits.
My mother worked at the post office. She did not pay into SS, but my father did for 40 years. She should be entitled to his benefits.
Many of my choices were definitely a reflection of my own experiences as a retire on social security. People need to be made aware that a shortfall is a reality and some of the measures that will need to be taken.
It doesn't make sense that the US Government can dig itself into a financial hole that would cost trillions to repair, yet it is still unable to give its own citizens the proper care and funding that they require. Thank you
I just Social Security is a situation of whether we actually want it or not. If we want it as a society, we will pay for it.
Enjoyed learning more about SS, the issues it's facing, why, and what options are available to resolve them for the future.
Social Security was never meant to be main source of income.
When Social Security was established, the average life span was much lower than it is now and a large number of people would not live to the retirement age. Therefore it makes sense to increase the retirement age to be more realistic in view of how much longer people are living. also, this exercise didn't take into account the many other ways SS benefits are paid, such as for disability, survivor benefits, spousal benefits and who knows what other benefits are paid. All of this should be considered, and also there should be an all out effort to stop fraud and abuse of the system.
Inidividuals below retirement age receiving disability benefits should also be taken into account. No one should have to live in poverty. Scarcity is an illusion. Debt is manufactured etc.
As a working class person, the idea that people who make more than 117K/year do not pay into SS was appalling. I feel it is time for the super rich (the 1%) to pay more, for all these loopholes to be closed and for SS to actually be a beneficial system that helps people retire at a dignified age, not in the their 80s. People who make well over $200K a year have additional retirement options and get to retire earlier too, meanwhile people working in factories are living on less than sustainable wages and have virtually no savings, or retirement options beyond SS.
pay the IOU's from the government. The government used social security funds for a slush fund for years. Bring the government workers that don't pay the tax into the program.
I feel our government should not be allowed to borrow money from our social security.
I do not agree at all that the shortfall is due to people having few children. I believe it is due to the funds being improperly used and also the lowlifes that do not endure and progress their earning capability but live day to day. You should focus on those people that live day to day and are not supplementing like those in the past have done. Also, there are way too many people on disability that have never even worked or worked very little in their life. People such as the working middle class or a little above should not loose out, when they, have done everything right! Worked, pay their mortgage! Have a mortgage, etc. etc. Also, SS should be paying out the entire benefit of what someone put into it but is now deceased, to their spouse or dependents. Why is that not addressed? They put that money into SS, their family should get every penny of what they put into it, it should not just end. What about all of that money? For example, my sister just died at age 53. She worked all her life since probably age 16 or 18. She leaves behind a son. He should continue to get what she paid into SS until it has been exhausted! All of her money, that she put into SS is now someone elses? That is not fair at all!
Tell the government to give back the money they have taken out of the Social Security fund then there would not be a shortfall.
I am very thankful for my Social Security each month. Since I receive a small retirement income also, and because my lifestyle is simple, and through the blessings of the Lord , I am able to live comfortably on my income.
It's time to end the social security offset and windfall and pay people what they are entitled to. Even though I receive a public pension, I worked enough quarters under social security to collect benefits and my husband worked his entire life to earn these benefits. Now my widows benefit is reduced by two thirds. Totally unfair.
Start funding from other sources.........recovered drug money, recovered terrorist money, etc., etc.
We are going to pay into Social security, then I would like to see it be worth having by the time you retire. Only people that pay for Social Security should be able to take from Social Security in my opinion. I know somehow people get Social Security that have never worked.
I find it very unfair that those of us who have worked both in professional jobs and in the general work force and have paid in to SS cannot draw benefits because of the 2 for 1 plan which essentially eliminates any SS benefits.
My husband and I are both 50 years old. I started working when I was 15. Our income is currently under $78k. We live paycheck to paycheck and have not been able to contribute to his 401k in the past 6 years because we cannot afford it. We have been paying into SS all of our lives and expect and depend on it to be there for us when we retire. However, we cannot afford to pay any more taxes either. We are very worried about being in poverty when we retire.
S.S. benefits should never be used in any other fashion. The money should go into a banking type account, accrue interest, and be given back out from said account.
I think that the elderly should be cared for by the government from all the years of service they have contributed.
The government needs to complement Social Security with widespread availability of IRA's so people can individually contribute to their retirement on their own volition. They can set themselves up for what quality of life they want.
Tax on ALL income except SS benefits. This would include dividends, savings accounts, etc
For a person to retire early there needs to be a physical exam to say they qualify or if they retire any way they may not get social security money or benefits until full retirement age.
I personally don't feel that we have to wait to get increases on inflation when you have already worked the majority of your life, somewhere you should be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor throughout your lifetime.
I think medicare needs to be addressed as well. My medicare costs have increased so much that my monthly social security benefit amount has gone down.
If you paid into it. You should receive it.
The sysetms needs total revamping so it can fix the troubles
I agree with one of the earlier arguments in the survey: Social Security is meant to be a retirement program, not a welfare program. Even the wealthy spend significant time figuring out when the best time to take Social Security benefits are because they see it as part of their retirement as well.
Payments should be weekly or at least bimonthly
People should receive what they pay in, and not have to provide for those that did not earn as much. I believe this would help with other's trying to improve one's self and making a difference in their life, and others, knowing they will not be, "taken care of".
it is time the wealthy pay their share of the country's burden. For too long the rich have avoided paying due to their ability to find loopholes, etc.
rate of return of contributions is horible
I would tell them to raise social security
Social security funds should not be in the general fund toe used at the descretion of government. They can't keep their fingers out of the pot!
Social security also covers disability. This should reference it.
All employed adults should be contributing to SS (or related systems like teacher';s retirement or government pension) in an equitable manner. Those making more, should pay more, and their retirement benefit should be higher as well. There should NOT be an upward income limit to how much is withheld. Most of those entering retirement now (Boomers) have some sort of pension in addition to SS to suppliment their income in retirement. Many younger workers, who no longer have pensions from their jobs, are NOT contributing sufficiently to 401Ks to assist them in retirement and may be looking for a government "handout" when they retire because of their lack of foresight- they should not be rewarded with greater SS benefits!
Making decisions of this magnitude affecting so very many lives is mind boggling.
Place some sort of cap on the amount of benefits received at, or slightly above those amounts put into Social Security. If people have not paid into them their entire working life, they should not recieve the benefits from them either, Period.
Some of the proposals are more about people's political ideology that about solving the problem.
It seems absolutely astonishing to me that people who make a little over 100k stop paying in. I make that much! I'm a 25 year old! I should be paying more!!
Stop trying to raise taxes. We pay enough of them as it is. It is not the responsibility of the federal government to support the elderly. It is their responsibility. People know they are going to get old. They should plan for it.
I think removing the current cap is really the most obvious choice. Most high income earners arent really depending on, nor will they need social security. The fact that all workers pay the same % unless you are heavily compensated is just antiquated.
Eliminate benefits for some who have not contributed to the progam.
Take a look at all the people receiving benefits who have not worked or having their children receive benefits for slow learning depression asthma anxiety etc
I hope that Congress and future Presidents can solve this crisis before I am old enough to be eligible
Could social security be changed to be more like a pension? Whatever one person puts in, the government matches, and that person is guaranteed to receive when they retire?
I think a portion of Social Security should be privatized. Don't know how but the Federal Govt. shouldn't have got into it in the first place but now I know it's stuck with it.
Every argument for or against certain changes has its good and bad points. Decisions have to be made because of prior bad decisions and now the price will have to be paid and everyone at all levels will have to pay a part of the cost. It will have to be a combination of changes that will be required to fix this broken mess. Social security went from what was intended as a basic simple program to an out of control disaster. Early in the amounts paid in far exceeded the amounts paid out. The government in its infinite wisdom did what our government does, it spent it by expanding programs, coverage and benefits of the program. Currently the government uses any excess as their personal credit card borrowing the money and stuffing the account with IOU's which the people will have to pay back anyway. I feel that any changes must be biased in favor of those who are the least fortnaute among us. It's just good social policy I am not saying that they should get everything including the kitchen sink, but we must look after those who have worked hard done what they were supposed to and played by the rules. They are just as responsible for the success of this nation as the wealthiest among us. The most important thing to remember after we have fought and ironed out the changes that are needed to be made and fixed the system is that we the people must be ever vigilant and pay attention to what government is doing so that this never happens again. If people do not become involved and hol
It's a set of trade offs, of compromises. Wonder if our political system has the will to achieve this.
It was established to aid people in their retirement, people also need to build their support either by savings or investment.
My premise for increasing the retirement age is that now more than ever people are well into their 20s before they enter the workforce and many are even older after grad school etc. A generation or two ago, people were entering the workforce in their late teen, so the length of time working is essentially unchanged. I don't believe that ALL personal responsibility for retirement should be removed from individuals and there are plenty of people who had lower paying jobs who managed to also save for retirement so they would not have to rely solely on SS, it's all about choices.
I'm not eligible for social security. I spent most of my career teaching so money went into a state teachers retirement system. The amount I receive every month exceeds what I would get from SS if I applied for it from my ex-husband of 26 yrs. There is no guarantee that funds will continue to keep pace with today's payment amounts, esp. as more elderly teachers are retiring. I still feel that social security covers most of the population, esp. those whose income is below the poverty level and/or are disabled. So something must be done. It seems to make the most sense to me that cutting benefits for future retirees is very unfair, given the disparity in wages between upper and lower "class" people.. I don't doubt that wealthy people work just as hard for what they earn as any of the rest of use. But I also truly believe that 'When much is given, much is expected.
Social Security should be a priority, as well as taking better care of individuals 80 and older and lower income individuals. Deficits and shortfalls should not be reduced by cuts to the poor, sick and elderly.
Americans are saving very little They need to be aware that social security will not alone support them in later years.
Why do women who never worked get half of their husbands SS while he is collecting ?
Don't let Congress spend Social security money on stuff it is not indended!
The government has many other areas where millions are wasted. They could easily fund social security by eliminating wasteful spending and redirecting some of those funds. One HUGE waste of money is allowing the many people fully capable of working to collect social security disability. So many people abuse that system which is available to help those who truly need it.
One thought is to make changes base on People entering the workforce and not penalize those that have bee contributing for more that 15 years.
This was a very interesting exercise. I think that looking in terms of what can have the most payoff and who can benefit from it the most was imposrtant
Have the government pay back money they have taken from security security in the 60s
The windfall provisions for state employees and its impact on the ability of people to alternate careers between non-Social Security positions and ones covered by Social Security. A two-thirds reduction in Social Security benefit: is it accurately calculated? Does it achieve desired policy goals? What is the impact of the Social Security budget when disabiity benefits are factored in and disability policy? It wasn't clear whether these figures kept those figures separate, but I'm assuming they did. It also wasn't clear whether the shortfall to SS was assuming that the government's policy of borrowing from the SSA funds was assuming all those debts were repaid or not. There also were no options to explore immigration policy as a way to increase the worker to beneficiary ratio. Nor was there any consideration of the impact of these estimates if major chronic diseases are cured and how that might impact demand or increase the ability to work longer. The attractiveness of the policy in its "I earned it" stance versus the "entitlement mentality" was touched on, but maybe not thoroughly. Interesting survey!
Social security needs to be gradually phased out and replaced with a private retirement system. Social security was not intended to be a sole retirement plan as many people expect it to be. This needs to come to an end. I am 48 now and do not plan on receiving benefits when I retire. If benefits are available when I retire it would be nice but I certainly do not count on it. I am RESPONSIBLE for my own retirement income and will do so by living within my means and saving until I determine I can retire.
I think that making people work longer since they usually live longer is a good idea....it's also a good idea to increase the amount that the elderly receive.
It seems pretty obvious simply eliminating the cap and the slight revenue increase not only allows more benefits but eliminates the shortfall. However; I think it is important to remember the amount of people who receive Social Security benefits from fraudulent disability claims. I believe more stringent oversight in these regards would also help the shortfall AND avoid an increase in revenues on the working class
Quit giving benefits to physically-able to work people. Implement a thorough screening policy, regardless of costs to stop fraud and waste!
My answers may have seemed somewhat disjointed due to my belief that in general workers should be allowed to save more of their own money for retirement and contribute less to SS. People should be, to the extent possible, responsible for their own retirement just as they generally are for their own medical expenses. The government should take a less active role in both except in emergency & extraordinary situations.
Yes, lower corp taxes so companies come back to US so all those looking for jobs can be employed and pay SS taxes
It got me thinking about when I retire! Need to start saving early
Why is it not based on what I actually put in myself? Why do some people who put nothing in still get it?
Simply put, everyone must do their part, and not place the responsibility on one party. The Social Security should be more of a "Bank" where the more you put into it, the more you get out, along with ensured limits. For example; Joe works for 20y (on & off) while Bob worked 40y solid (same annual salary), Joe contributed 124,000 to SS, while Bob put in 248,000. Bob should receive more benefits a month than Joe. This "banking" of SS funds should be distributed out but a simple equation, (Funds put in) divided by (Estimated years left) to equal a better lifestyle. So Bob at 67 estimated to die by 115, has 38 possible years left to live, which would est. 6,200 a year. The other factor is Employers should reward loyal workers, so the 6.2% for both employee & employer is fine to start with, but after time the Employer should increase their contribution. For example; after 5y of work the employer should apply 9.3% towards SS, and after 10y of employment the Employer should apply 12.4% to SS, all the while the employee stays at 6.2%. This would encourage long standing work relations, and improve the SS "Bank". The other variable is that living costs change on the person, as well as possible assets (Stocks, holdings, etc.), and should not be calculated in the SS funds. However people should be encouraged to manage money properly, to better prepare for that future. As well as, the SS should return unused funds to the recipients next of kin, or place it into the next of kin's SS "bank"
This seems very overwhelming as a semi younger employed full time higher wage earner, but looks promising!
To me, the most logical move would be eliminating the cap, plus some combination of beginning full benefits later/cutting benefits for the wealthiest recipients. This should be a high-priority -- if only our lousy politicians had the guts to do it!
Im more confused then ever about social security
I think social security is a great way to help supplement the retirement of the elderly but I never really gave much thought to how it was calculated. When you are giving some people more social security money than they payed in, some less, and trying to guess when someone is going to die you are adding like 10 farts to the equation, and its not going to equal what you expected. Baby boomers are a result of Hitler, and it's not fair to penalize the welfare of the elderly now because we couldn't calculate the lasting repercussions of a dead foreign dictator. I think social security might be something the federal government needs to chip in on once in a while to counteract unexpected forces. Social security needs to have the priority over foreign civil wars and corporate bailouts for sure.
Disability payments should be a separate program from social security with its own funding mechanism. It was not a part of social security when social security was first startedand is rampant with fraud.
how about free health care for everyone. eliminate social security benefits altogether for people who make over 100,000 a year. or eliminate all current income taxes and replace them with a 25% tax for everyone no matter how much you make so its equal. after all we are all supposed to be equal right.
Phase it out completely and do not look for ways to make it solvent. Privatized retirement funds easily out perform social security and are far more efficient.
I view SS as an American guaranteed benefit as sacred.
No more money spend for anyone illegal. Medical, tuition, food, childcare. Also, congress SHOULD be part of a financial system that is good enough for everyone else. i.e. social security, healthcare and pension. Also, they should actually WORK expecially during campaign times. Who in our government is working right now?? Who is campaining?? TERRIBLE
Stop allowing benefits to those who can really work but claim some phony disability. This needs to stop !
Making it mandatory for congress and senate members to also pay their share of Social Security Taxes would also be helpful in reducing this deficit.
I hate that some people call social security an "entitlement". People have paid into the system with the thought that it will be there to support them toward the end of their life. We need to solve this iseue now, before it blows up in our nation's face.
We got to stop people coming into to this country and not working and collecting all this free stuff.
I think benefits should be the same for higher and lower income . SS is meant to supplement your retirement not be your retirement.
Some employees have paid into social security and will not be eligible for benefits. For this reason, I really think that the high income earners should not receive benefits EVEN if they pay into social security. If you are wealthy, you clearly don't need a social security check.
I am concerned for my son's future retirement more than my own. I am not retired yet, either is my husband. I think there will be money for us, but perhaps not for our son.
Full retirement age needs to be raised faster, NOW!
If the government would have quit fighting wars with ss funds and taking from the ss funding and invested it there would not be such a problem. It is the past handling of the money paid in that is the problem,the gov owes it back plus interest !!!
Why in the HECK are government employees not subject to the same systems as the people. Medicare/Medicaid and SS. Who voted for that
Social Security is called SOCIAL for a reason. It is a wealth distribution plan. It is also a partial defense against economic recessions and depressions. Right wing nuts hate it.
Make the COLA the same % as congress receives.
1. Raising the retirement is problematic for many workers who do physical work. 2. Currently a large number of low income workers are collecting SS at age 62 because they are not physically able to continue working. They will pay a 20% penalty for life. 3. SS was designed to be a supplement to other retirement income; however, millions of Americans are reaching the end of their working years with little or no savings. 4. We can argue about why these people fail to adequately prepare for retirement but low income is a huge factor. 5. Stabilizing SS is a must ; otherwise we will be facing widespread senior poverty.
Social Security aslo pays survivor benefits and disability. It is not just a retirement program. Also doing away with the living spouse benefit would help solve the financial difficulties. If your spouse does not work, then you probably have a higher family income to afford their not working. But keep paying surviving spouse beneifts.
I believe many people today are receiving SSI benefits today that could actually work, especially younger people under 40 for example. If the requirements for allowable SSI were stricter, the extra money could be put toward SS shortfall.
I think the American companies that are making huge profits should contribute to bailing out Social Security - much like the government bailed out companies during the recession.
I would suggest that policy makers look for ways to make it easier for people to save (increase interest rates, broader ways to contribute to retirement savings, etc.). Attacking social security as a single solution to the problem just isn't enough. The issue should be looked at holistically and brought up to date.
If you don't contribute to social security you should not receive a benefit. For example a non working spouse has not contributed to Social Security and should not receive a benefit. Children who are deemed to be mentally or physically handicapped and have not paid into Social Security should not be entitled to a benefit. Social security can not be attached to a honeypot for dishing out money to everyone who has a sad situation. Those who pay in do deserve to receive money back.
I was a child whose father died at a very young age and ssi kept us from starving. I believe in ssi !
The government should pay back what they "borrowed" over the years they should not have taken the money in the first place
They discontinued my pension this year when I turned 65. My only income is Social Security of 1,500 a month. It is hard to live on this because the water and sewer depart,net each increased the bill to 50 a ,on the, a great increase. The cable bill went up to 61 dollars a month and now the electric company are voting to increase their rates. I live alone and I am in a wheelchair. I can walk a little bit. I have Congestive Heart Failure and severe arthritis. Now I have a new problem, I tore the rotor cuff in my shoulder. It is hard to live on Social Security and when they lower my check, it is going to be hard.
i dont know if i will live long enough to see these benefits for myself
Stop taking money out of SSA to pay for unrelated projects. It's not a slush fund. Stop using it to line pork bellies with cash. It also wouldn't hurt to raise benefits slightly for the disabled. They typically worked LESS than 30 years, and receive small benefits for the rest of their lives, from age 30-something to death. This places them WELL below the poverty level, as most of them are incapable of earning any extra through part time employment.
It seems that some of the changes could happen more rapidly. In addition situations will change in the next 20 - 30 years so the actions might need to change. When do the baby boomers surviving reduce the needs of the system?
Watching for social security fraud is very important-streamline this area more closely.......regarding deaths and also disability claims that are fraudulent and those with the ability to work are cut off ss funds....put Congress and Senate government reps on social security also.....they have enough perks holding those positions! Let them live like the people they represent!
If our past Congress would not have opened funds from Social Security to the General Fund we would not be in this mess!
Sequester SS funds or invest them in fixed return Gov't bonds and NOT as part of general revenue.
You covered the bases very well and I quite enjoyed this survey. As a result I will be more prone to take future surveys. Thanks!
Retirees send a lot of money on medicine. Some drug prices have been rising faster than inflation. This could be addressed.
Social Security benefits should be based on the lifetime of reported earnings. I understand it is our moral obligation as a nation to take care of our elderly & disabled. There should be greater restrictions on SSI benefits, which I believe is part of the social security & greater investigation on individuals requesting disability benefits. All wages earned should be available for social security tax. Also, why not have a set % of lifetime wages earned as the social security benefit? If you earned $50,000 a year for 30 years, then 30% of that would be your monthly benefit. It isn't fair to those who earn higher lifetime wages to receive a lower % for social security benefits. Just like taxes are tiered according to income earned, why can't social security benefits be similar? Why should someone who earned a lifetime earnings of $25,000 a year suddenly have better benefits because they are now retired? I understand there is no easy answer, but there IS an answer & all options should be explored. Thank you for allowing me to express my opinion.
Cut down on fraud and abuse. I know of people who want to have their child put into special education just so they can draw Social Security for the child. Also, check on deaths of SS benefactors. I am all for raising the cap.
The highest wage earners should all pay into this system. That is one the most important and effective way of curing this shortfall. The other would be that the government should be prevented from raiding it. Billions of dollars have been taken out and not put back. That is the real cause of the shortfall.
My monthly buying habits have not changed due to my very strict budget, yet inflation has risen on my cost of living by more than 15%. My benefits have only increased about 5%. Some one at Scarborough needs to get real-world information on low income seniors. My healthcare has not increased because I haven't seen a medical doctor in ten years because I can't afford it. My monthly benefits are $905. This was exactly my monthly and yearly expenditures 6 years ago, but now I have to get money from my very limited IRAs just to make ends meet.
I am 32 years old and have been contributing to SS since I was 16. Although I know that it could be available for me when I retire, I'm not going to plan on it. I am lucky enough to make a very good wage and have been saving for retirement since I graduated college. This is the thought process for many people my age and in the same economic situation I am in. I realize that raising the cap on SS is the most effective way to help the shortage, I look at that as just another program that Americans have become dependent on. The problem is that I have paid into the system for 16 years already and I would like to receive the benefits of that in the future.
First of all, when you are contributing to "social security", It is with the understanding that it is supposed to be a savings plan for your retirement. It is not meant to pay for everyone else, and not meant to subsidize the governments spending. The reason we have a deficit is because the government keeps borrowing from the money. This money is intended to pay for your retirement, or at least help. It shouldn't go to people who have never paid taxes and are not even citizens. I do believe we should take care of widows and orphans, but most of them should be covered by their spouse.
I think that the changes talked about start now and not wait so long in between. Study the economy, inflation and incomes each year.
Limit the benefits to widows or children of injured or killed workers. Those widows should become the earners for their family. They will be most knowledgeable on how to do that.
I do think our higher paid Government employee such as congress, president etc. payer much higher taxes then the middle class and should not be paid such high salaries when they leave office. That also pay their share of that income in taxes. I believe one way to help the debt of the nation and SS is to not allow the rich to have so many loop holes for their taxes. Without the loop hole they will have pay more into SS and taxes this will increase the stability of SS.
I think we need to lower the age for social security to the age of 55. The way it is today a lot more people are dying at a younger age and don't get to somewhat enjoy their retirement. Things need to change quickly.
Continuing to perpetuate a failing idea to decrease individual citizens' financial responsibility for their lives while subjecting them to multiple, ever-increasing, across-the-spectrum taxes of income, business, property, purchasing, and every other conceivable source will be one of the factors which weaken and destroy our nation.
return all ss monies back to ss as in the old days instead of spending the funds on other federal programs.
I would be open to a reduction in SS benefits for those older Americans with a net worth that exceeds $10 million (or some other appropriate amount) but not based on income levels in any given year. I would also be open to increasing the eligibility age to 71.
I am 80 and am comfortable. I have wealthier friends who are active, travel, buy luxuries. The myth that all old people need more is fallacious.
do not reduce what people over 80 are getting now
Yes, I do not believe that Illegal aliens should be allowed to draw Social Security as they are doing so now. Stop their payments and there would not be such a short fall. Being at retirement age, I would like to retire but someone who is not from the US and has never paid in is getting my Social Security retirement check!
My husband and I are on SS and we barely get by. I get less that the proposed $800.00 a month because I became disabeled 30 years before retirement age. We go to the neighborhood food bank once a month. That sucks!
completely eliminate any and all benefits for non US citizens.
I do not believe children should draw social security disability...they are not in the workforce and their parents should be supporting them. I see a LOT of fraud being committed by people trying to get their children on IEPs so they can draw a check.
All income of US citizens earned in the US and forein countries should be taxed.
Quit using social security money for other reasons and put it in a designated fund.
Get AL the people off welfare make them get a job and pay ss taxes like everyone else! Social security is some people's retirement because they have to live pay check to pay her and don't have the extra money tons Ave for retirement. And the way the stock market is there is no promise it will be there when they need it.
I like the idea of giving kids a retirement account when they are born and parents can contribute to it and the child contributes as soon as possible.
illegal immigrants should be given short-term legal status (guest worker) and pay social security tax but not be eligible for social security benefits.
None of the solutions in the survey are acceptable to me. Social Security has become what people thought it would become when it was first introduced. It is government involved in the affairs of people that they were never to be designed to deal with. We need to see an easing out of the Social Security as we know it and let people have the charge for their own affairs.
If I had taken this survey as little as 10 years ago, my answers would have been very different than today as I contemplate my own retirement and what these policies decisions could mean for my personal welfare in the next few years.
We need to rise the cap on earners now. Anyone making over 250,00 can afford more taxes than someone who is only making 39,000. Right now Medicare prices are going up and many on SS can not afford to even get a supplement to help pay for those cost increases.
I am 55 and see the government owing owes the social security administration a lot of money for our national debt which makes these problems all the more complicated for the country's fiscal well being as such. I would like to see the system abolished and everyone paid an equal percentage based on what they have paid into the system at that time to allow individuals the opportunity to utilize and invest that money(their money)as need be. Many people never see and others may never see any social security benefits. So essentially the government is just taking the money based on a false premise to eventually pay them. This is borderline fraud in any other business, and it's morally wrong. Someone once said if it ain't broke don't fix it. Well the current system is broke in one sense and soon to be broke fiscally as well. Germany printed money after World War 1 and it destroyed their economy. We are living on borrowed time and money.
I think a cap should be placed on benefits, regardless of how much one contributes.
Social security would not be going broke if our government hadn't stolen from it several years ago... I never hear of welfare or foreign aid going broke, WHY... Chancy
Privatize the system to allow the individual to invest their money instead of relying on government to manage it for them.
Why can't the government take cuts in pay like those that are on disability or social security
Since the Government Accountin Office is charged with investigation of fraud, is there any way to check SSI currently being used. If not, why not?
Retired persons that have funds that cover their expenses and do not need social security should not receive social security income. Namely the wealth or higher income individuals. I un derstand the receiving the medical part.
Thanks for this opportunity. It's not easy d citing what is best for all peoples!
The government needs to quit stealing from social security to fund other projects. Quit overspending in general. Quit giving money to other countries, especially our enemies. No raises for government employees, except those in the military, until we are out of debt.
Those who make over 100,000 a year should already have retierment benifits from their employers or personal income. Those who make less many times work in jobs that do not offer any type of retierment. Perhaps we can include any retierment income which they get from employers into calculating how much social security you receive.
The stock market, bonds or some other type of investment should be seriously considered. While there are so many toll roads these days, it would seem obvious that those toll roads would be better traveled if they were somehow connected with social security. Incentivize the wealthier people to pay more into social security, but also do that for the younger people in blue collar jobs and so forth. If you are going to take more from them, give them more tax breaks elsewhere or what have you. The policies don't seem very out of the box, just same ol' same ol'.
We all paid into it and deserve to get it. The government has robbed from this account and that is wrong.
I believe that the disabled and handicapped should be given special consideration.
Family members should go back to being responsible for other family members. This idea has been lost somewhere along the way.
Social Security is a good system. It is not acceptable for any Americans to live in poverty for any reason. Our government is an expression of our values and an instrument of them. The values I cherish allow for people to retire and live dignified lives.
Allow workers the opportunity to Opt Out of the social security system and go to a private system.
I do not believe that Social Security was set up to be paid out to children with disabilities who have never paid into the system. I know that may seem harsh but maybe they need to take a look at you is receiving benefits. And what about survivor benefits, if a parent dies and leaves several children do they each receive the same amount of monthly benefit? Why is it always "entitlements" that are talked about and not how much of our tax dollars are paid out to welfare recipients or how much money we send to other countries.
With life expectancy increasing it only makes sense to increase the age at which a person may start drawing social security. And with income inequality as large as it is it only makes sense to have those who make more, perhaps the top 10 or 15% pay more into the fund.
it is just a small fraction of retirement benefits and should not be considered as the only thing.
I would like to see a movement toward a portion being privatized and earmarked to a particular persons
Put all elected & appointed government officials in to the social security system like the rest of the working class.
WORKERS UNDER 30 BEGIN INVESTING THRU MUTUAL FUNDS FOR RETIREMENT. ESTABLISH AMOUNT TO COVER THOSE DISABLED PRIOR TO RETIREMN[ENT. PHASE OUT OF SSAN BETWEEN 30 AND 40 YEARS OF AGE
I am part of a generation who depends on Soc. Sec. to live on after retirement. It would be good to teach the general public how to prepare for retirement without having to depend on Soc. Sec. to live.
Increasing minimum wage, while increasing both employer and employee contributions to social security would eliminate part of the monetary deficit. Creating a more centralized Social Security system where everyone would have to contribute depending on their earnings but everyone would get back from what they have contributed. Also, SS criteria should be more strict for young individuals who are able to work (non-disabled).
too many people get SS funds who never paid 1 nickel into the system. Stop this nonsense. This is largely people you migrate to the US from overseas.
Social Security is not only for the elderly but for the disabled and also for minor children of the deceased. More and more people are becoming disabled for various reasons. Has this been taken into account with the shortfall projections?
A better check of income other than SS that may be hidden. A better check of people that apply for disability through Lawyers.. Companies that charge TOO MUCH money for products and services to Medicare. Thanks
Just when it's time for me to retired will I have my social security in the year 2050
This was very relevant to me because I have parents in their 80's who are struggling. Also, I struggle to live paycheck to paycheck. I don't want to lose any money that I make, but I think that working for the common good is more important than just me.
When I was a student in college, I had several of the students I was in college with taking the medi-caid part of social security and had no problem making claims, but where the buck stop
We were just talking about Social Security the other night while staring at our pay stubs. I think we need to get over the hump of the people already on SS but then people need to be in charge of their own retirement. I would rather have the control over my own money. If I work, yay, I have money for the future to invest in for retirement. If I don't work, and it is 100% my choice, well then I have less money for the future. We should not have to fund the retirement for those that are lazy and choose not to work. Now, disabled and elderly, that is a different story. But I'm already putting in to much money to know that it won't be there when I need it.
Since people are living longer, need to raise the Social Security to 70.
I think the government should not be involved in welfare. Social Security should be eliminated. At a minimum, the retiree age should be raised to 85.
I was happy to read that eliminating the cap was an option presented in this exercise. It's something I've been recently aware of and didn't even know we had a cap. This knowledge was helpful in my decision making during this exercise.
Social security was and still is a flawed program in that it began by providing money to people who never contributed to social security. As a result, it always depends on the income from taxes to immediately pay for the costs. This program would only ever work if the money generated from taxes is invested and the payment is provided from the investment fund.
Some of the wealthiest have ways of avoiding all taxes, something should be done about this. How many yachts and private airplanes do people really need?
The federal government should inform workers under 40 that social security will not be in place and stop taxing them at this point. Their contribution and their payroll taxes should be placed into an account for THEM to manage. The government should have no access to this account. Other programs should be eliminated the shortfall such as the dept. of education, the EPA and the earned income tax credit. A flat tax of 10-14% should be implemented thus ending the need for the IRS saving additional funds. There is a very simple rule: Washington never returns as much as we put in so why send it there in the first place?
SS was robbed years ago and is continuing to be "borrowed from. It is time for that money to be returned to the plan so it can function as originally intended.
Having retired from law enforcement, I saw many people thru the years that have never paid into Social Security. They have drug or alcohol issues or just did not want to hold down a regular job. While my sister raised 3 boys on minimum wage job and has paid into Social Security all of her working life. People that do not/will not pay should not receive benefits. And the government should not be using the money meant for Social Security to fund other things.
Social Security payments should not be reduced for people who have held government jobs.
The shortfall was created by politicians and the wealthy of this country. It is up to these people to replace the monies taken from the Social Security coffers and cease with fleecing the consumer for the greed reflected in the acts of the officials. We, the public have bailed out the banks much to our own peril and that has to stop! Put the monies back which have been misappropriated in the name of greed! Then there will be No Shortfall and the balance will be restored. These policies being proposed are again the work of making the middle class and poor support the very rich. We are sick and tired of this behavior. Cease NOW!
Policies that address income inequality will stimulate US job growth, increase wages, thus increasing revenue.
Personally I do not think the shortfall fixes are going to be that painfull for the American public. I feel very strongly that SS is a very positive program and should not be touched by wall street.
Have the IRS impose a flat 50% tax on the gross of those companies that have shipped their work force outside the USA and then a 25% tax when they bring that workforce back with no write-offs or deductions on their Taxes. Just a flat 25% tax on their gross. All other people would pay a flat 20% tax on their taxes. Also, have our government pay back what they have borrowed from SS and never be able to borrow from SS again...EVER!!!
I would like to see it Eliminated for people under the age of 35? To many young people drawing off it which should not be in my mind.
The main reason for the shortfall is that Congress robbed the SS trust fund for other things besides social security. If Congress has kept their hands off this fund there would be no shortfall!
Maybe we should work to raise wages so that many of these problems will solve themselves...
The gov put it in the gen funds and spent it where it should not have been spent and now you want us to pay for it again. Use it for what it was intended for. Old people. I know too many people that could be working but choose not to.
return the money that was used for other programs if we quit senting money to countries that don't like us we would be much better off in taking care of our own
Set no cap on SS "tax" but put a limit on what an individual will receive. COLA should not be a percentage, but a fixed $$ amount, such as 127$ for year 2xxx. Percentages are biased towards the "haves" and hurt the rest.
Seniors already can't afford dentist and eyeglasses. So if we were to get even less money, we would be asking other Government programs for help such as food stamps and housing. Most seniors have to visit food banks to get enough food. We already paid our dues while we worked, so please don't penalize us even more. There are young people on welfare that have full benefits and are able to work, let's cut those off.
You should not be receiving social security unless you have worked 10 years. And payed into social security. The mintaly I'll should if able should be compensating or there family should be compensating there social security. I know too many supposedly mentally ill who are collecting social security that shouldn't be. Now get back what the government took, plus interest .
What about incentivizing people to create their own retirement plans so they don't rely solely on social security?
I refuse to believe that Social Security is the only program that our Government consistantly marks for reduction. Our Government is out of control and the scare tactics they use via social media and advertising is done solely for the purpose making retired and disabled try to live on less so that they can borrow from the program and never pay it back. Shame on them and shame on us for letting them get away with it.
Take social security out of hands of the government. Keep employer contribution and penalize employee with tax if they don't personally save a matching amount.
The $$ that are taking out of payroll taxes should be KEPT in a trust fund so that the taxpayers get what they paid into Social Security. PERIOD.
My fear is the same as anyone in my age bracket and the more information that is accurate is given out the less fear we would have
social security diabiltiy needs to be address some people who are paid it are not really disabled if that was fixed it could help
People work all their life to collect Social Security Benefits why should the policies change when most of us depend on this as a source of income and still its not enough to make ends meet
I will vote against anyone who proposes or attempts to lower Social Security benefits. I will vote for anyone who increases Social Security benefits. Removing the cap and adjusting the payroll tax will solve the shortfall and allow us to expand the benefits at the same time and this is the policy that I favor. I always vote and this subject matters enough to change my vote for a candidate.
There are no easy or sound solutions...especially with useless politicians making decisions that only benefit themselves.
I Agree with doing away with the cap, you should pay tax on all of your earnings!
By eliminating the cap on payroll, this does not mean that the maximum benefit should increase. The maximum benefit should remain (with inflation adjustments of course) and be paid to the contributors. This is a fair way for taxing the affluent without nailing them. If a surplus develops, the tax rate can be decreased.
The Benefit amounts do need increased i work at a grocery store where i see elderly and disabled shop.. These benefits do need an increase and a pretty big one actually. Many have pets they must feed whether service dogs or not also the prices of many items are not calculated correctly. and many things they pay for just keep going up and up. They need an increase
If not mistaken, the US government has raided the fund for other programs and should be repaid. Only problem is where would the government get ALL of the money?
The more your income increases, the higher tax table for income tax you should be paying. Social Security is not a welfare substitute. People work to put their money into it as a retirement fund.
Have the Federal Government pay back the money they have taken from the Social Security fund over the years
I think we do need to understand we can't just go off what people make as situations are different in every home. Everything from medical issues, number of children, death of family member and so on so they may not b able o save like others think they should. Where someone who makes minimum wage may have rcv'd large inheritence and not really have to work.
Be careful who you give SSI and disability to because some of these people don't deserve them. I know a man collecting benefits and he was doing lawn work, moving people. I just didn't get it.
The government should not be able to use social security funds for any other reason. ( like they did during the Vietnam war)
Hard to do, but roofers and investment bankers do not have the same work lifetime; construction workers and music producers, etc. Could retirement age be somehow tied to occupation?
Well, first there wouldn't be a "shortfall" if the Govt didn't "Borrow" from the SS fund and never repay it. Second stop sending billions of dollars to foreign nations when we have financial problems at home!
As I have only recently ventured into the professional world after graduating from a university, I haven't even considered social security income when planning retirement contributions. To me, smart investments and good corporate benefits should be able to provide for citizens after they decide to retire. I understand the need for a sort of safety net for the elderly, but I'm not sure that doesn't just change the social security program into a welfare program. If everyone is paying the same percentage into the program, then how do we justify distributing lower amounts to those who were more successful during their working days, with the simple excuse that "they can afford it"?
Use social security for what it was started to be for!
yes, should not have used social security on the war effect and we would not have this problem.
It is scientifically proven that poor people do not live as long as wealthy people. Social Security was created to help the poorer people and policies/changes in Social Security should reflect these facts.
I would like to raise the minimum age at which citizens can start collecting social security (ss). I see many people automatically taking ss at 62 when they really should wait. I think it should be mandatory for citizens to take a financial planning course in high school and in college or even later on in life. I see many heading toward financial disaster, even though well-educated, by excessive spending and/or not understanding how to budget their income.
Why not make the SS tax progressive? Why not make payments need sensitive?
The elderly should always have their social security.
continue SS deductions for all income. Also, govt should find $ corps and people hide offshore and confiscate it to be applied to SS and Medicare.
Social security is a taxpayer funded entitlement and should not be part of the federal budget process. The government borrows money from the reserves and pays no interest on the money when they pay it back. S.S. should be able to lend the money from the fund and charge interest the same as any financial institution does. Or the federal gov. should pay interest on the money they borrow.
Why not decease some of the benefits former senate and representative members receive and funnel the extra money to the social security fund.
Better policing of Disability Payments. I know of some people collecting Disability from social Security who are able to work but are gaming the system.
if Social Security were handled the way Railroad Retirement is perhaps there would be less problems.
The social benefit of having elderly parents living with their adult children is undervalued in this culture. We first need to deal with this and incentivize this behavior through tax deductions, then the actual need for elderly befits would ultimately be decreased.
Much like social security benefits, VET benefits should also be looked at. In particular, the COLA's should be changed.
Achievers shouldn't be punished, but paying Social Security tax on all income is more than fair to everyone.
I believe the Gov't has 'borrowed' money from Social Security to finance other government 'needs' and if that money or part of it was replaced, the shortfall problem would be easier to solve.
Eliminating cars for fed. Retirees , I get penalized 60percent. Whereas a teacher making 80 thou. A year retires and gets full social benefits. Nothing is ever said about, just not fair.
Maybe actually learn to balance a budget and stop stealing from we the people. Elected politicians should be embarrassed by their poor performance. I do not believe this is an accident. Less war more keeping your end of the bargain.
Return social security funds that were used for other purposes back to the social security fund.
I have been on ssd for 5 yrs. I have multiple sclerosis and I work part time. It is very scary to think that in 15 yrs there may not be ss when I am 50. What are we going do as disabled people if we can not work full time he's?
Cut down the fat in government spending. Cut down salaries,benefits of anyone from the president on down to elected,non elected officials!
SS has been raided for things it wasn't meant for. It should be eliminated completed and we should be allowed to keep our money and invest it as we see fit, not how the government decides. I'd gladly opt out of receiving benefits if I didn't have to pay the tax and got the money I already paid in back.
The elderly need to have more to live on once retired,paying their out of pocket prescription costs are a real problem even more so for those that have served ouyr country, they deserve so much more.
Why would a self-employed person be required to pay Soctal Security tax as an employer and also include him/herself as an employee? Isn't the Social Security tax based on a person's income, rather than occupation?
It is ridiculous that the cap on wages is just $117,000. I needs to encompass a much broader sector of wager earners. Making more than $117,000 throughout your life is not going to put you above needing Social Security. Make the cap $5 Million, that way the wealthy members of Congress have to pay up too.
As a retiree who has worked through age 78, I recognize that by itself social security is not enough to live on. With many places no longer having pensions the ability to even consider retirement is very difficult. There's more than social security that needs consideration.
Social security is a dinosaur based on unrealistic economics. The solutions proposed are typical nonthinking political solutions to problems. People would be better off if social security was not a Ponzi scheme.
Congress needs to keep its fingers out of the Social Security pie and return that which was stolen over the years.
Change the cpi calculation to a 12 month calculation. It would only increase benifits on a fair calculation. Second the age of eligibility should be increasedto 67 now and increase to 69 over time. Third, the cap for deductions should be increased to eliminate the cap so higher wage earniers are not capped but pay a higher percentage of their higher salary.
Get all the people who are on SSI disability who are collecting fraudulently, and eliminate their benefits. You can do this by creating a true flat rate tax and eliminating the IRS. Then employee all the unemployed IRS employees to investigate the waste, fraud, and abuse of those fraudulently collecting SSI disability!
I'm a Railroad retiree, I' ve paid more into railroad retirement than people pid into social security,, I have indeed a nice pension and better security than a social security system which is broke, go figure?
We have to do something. Taking a little from everyone would be easier on everyone.
I think another way to help solve is a similar percentage back. We're lower income receives I think it was 66% back and higher income receives 36% back. That's not fair. Everyone works hard for their money. It should be the same percentage across the board. Someone who paid more their whole life shouldn't have to keep seeing handouts to someone who paid less their whole life. It's almost encouraging people to not go get the better job because you're implying that, no matter what, you'll get this amount and will be fine to live...
illegals, undocumented, felons and others like them should not be given social security. and the govt. should also keep their fingers out of the money. We work to hard to for what little bit is left of our paychecks to have more taken out and given to people who don't deserve it.
Perhaps give some wealthier people the option of taking less benefits or paying more tax.
Just think how better off SS would be if we could have taken the $4 Trillion dollars spent on two recent wars and diverted it to SS. This survey would not even have been necessary.
We must make SS structurally sound before we start adding to benefits. When SS was started, most Americans were not supposed to receive benefits for very long. The program must be adjusted for this. Any change would be acceptable if it would not affect those who were more than 10 years away from "retirement." That gives people time to adjust.
investigate people who are trying to claim disability, I bet more than half are not really disabled, being fat and lazy is not a disability.
Social Security is very important to retired people and should be handled very carefully. The policy makers must understand that a large part of the population does not and most likley will not make $100,000 in a life time. Therefore, decreasing the monthly amount or increasing the tax or age will have a devastating effect on the under class.
Yes, abolish Social Security tax completely, and educate people to invest their own money into IRAs or the equivaient . The government out of peoples money is a first step.
I saw no proposals regarding changing the funding of the Social Security Trust Fund so that the funds are not available or restrict being tapped into by other Government expenditures.
Cola's should be raised every year. I'm on SSDI and fall in the category of either buying food or paying bills in full or keeping enough gas money for the month to go to the store/pharmacy. Since I'm on SSDI, welfare tells me I make about 30.00 to much a month for supplimental insurance and I only receive 17.00 a month for food stamps. I only get 1245.00 a month from SSDI and rent is 505.00 a month plus all the otheer bills. I can only spend between 110.00 and 120.00 a month out of pocket for food and the cost of food had been dramatically climbing since Jan. 2014
it is very hard to live on SS benefits, almost impossible taking into consideration supplemental medical bills.....people with higher incomes and pensions should receive lower SS benefits .....
Eliminate FICA taxes entirely. Rather, incorporate in the personal income tax, as long as it is suitably progressive.
I think there needs to be a process implemented to recertify people for their disability benefits they receive, because I know personally that there are people out there receiving benefits that shouldn't be.
Some social security benefits are paid to spouses who never qualified for benefits on their own work, thus drawing benefits out of the system in which they put nothing in. Survivor benefits are fine, but paying someone for nothing is stupid. Also their is a sub-culture of many earners working for cash nd putting nothing into the system or minimal amounts so that they can qualify later. And just think of all of the money the social security system saved by penalizing any retiree who earned benefits but worked under the civil service system. Most likely those earners will be shut out of survivor benefits of their spouse and penalized on their own earnings that they accrued out side of the civil service system. But as time goes on, maybe 20 years, those in this system will have passed on and their pleas for fairness will go silent. There is also the issue of covering children who have had a parent die and the survivor parent collects to help pay expenses. Yet if this parent had not died and was a stay at home parent the other earner would still have only the money they earned to cover expenses. I am not against helping the survivor with some income but not at the current rate and time frame that now exists. Many changes could be made to help fund the social security system, and many of them are internal.
I do not like the idea that people seem to think that social security should be their sole income after retirement. Social security would be better to supplement other savings from working over a lifetime. Many, many companies offer things like 401k accounts for people to begin saving for retirement.
The shortfall needs to be addressed and solved IMMEDIATELY, and no further changes to SS benefits should be made until the shortfall is dealt with.
Generally I believe that Social Security should be significantly defunded. Individuals should be able to choose to invest their earnings as they see fit. Most individuals can and should be responsible for preparing for their own retirement. I recognize that in rare cases, some individuals are unable to attend to their own financial situation. While I would prefer that private charities care for those who truly need it, the government is sometimes needed to act as a last-resort option for assistance. However, for the majority of Americans, personal responsibility for finances is best. I am in favor of significantly reducing benefits and significantly reducing the required pay-in.
I think Social Security should be set in something like a 401K plan. That way, when people work, they will be earning interest on a future retirement account.
Reducing benefits will only shift the burden of the elderly to surviving and currently working relatives, which could further depress lifetime savings and current contributions to the system.
Many elderly and disabled are living in poverty, with having to choice on food or medicine. We do need to take a look at children with learning problems should not be classified as disabled and get benefits.
With all the aliens and immigrants pouring into the USA, they should be making up for the low birth rate and shortfall of Social Security. No cap on what is taxable...if it is earned, it is taxable weather it is $100 or billions of dollars. All earned income is taxable.
hat any person that works there entire life and pays deserves to be compensated !! ALSO ...Here's a novel idea how about screening so called " disabled " 20 yr olds !!! Maybe we could solve the whole shortfall by kicking off all the fraud disability collectors !! I know of at least 10 people collecting benefits and haven't worked a day in their life !! Or drug dealers or just lazy and know how to work the system . It's just a damn shame that this discussion even has to be had !! Once again the honest hard working schlub takes it on the chin Because the " Professional " benefit collectors know how to work the system . It's always amazed me how #rd generation( basically uneducated ) benefit collectors are so much smarter than the law makers and ( highly educated ) government ! The whole things a joke
Congress needs to quit dipping into the Social Security funds to pay for wars. They also nedd to to put back the money they "borrowed" with interest. Congressmen and Senators receive pensions for life and should not be allowed to collect social security.
Opened my eyes a little more towards the social security situation
Get more payers into the system--this is why we need immigration, because we can get the immigrants enrolled and paying into the system. If there are 11 million 'illegal' immigrants, and you made them legal and got them paying in, the funds would be more secure.
Get the people off social security disability who are not truly disabled. Too many people are playing this system. If you did this you might not have to make any other changes.
I see that Seniors got no COLA in 2015. Fir the govt to use some scake that shows there us no inflation is ridiculous. Has the cost of anything ever saptayed the sane or gone down!! Ridiculous.
If the SS fund had not been illegally raided in the first place we would not be in this position. We hear about SS running out of finds, yet we never hear of things like welfare running out. We need to make it harder to get something for nothing so that the people who earned their retirement benefits can get them. So what if we are living longer, or that more people are entering the pool - the promise was made and must be kept. When they were working, everyone else worked too. The work ethic has been killed by the welfare system. We need to restrict welfare to those who really need it, and able-bodied people need to go back to work. Drug user? No benefits. Criminal activity? No benefits. Contribute to society or live in poverty. NO MORE FREE RIDE!
They should not of touched our social security money to begin with!!!!
Congress has done a lousy job at doing its job. SS should have been going up gradually since its inception. Th rich get full benefit while us lowly shits get nothing and reduced benefits. Poor, poor rich. SS goes back into the economy so its not a drain on society.
Control the cost of medications and health costs Regulate the pharmaceutical industry. The cost of travel by ambulance etc is outrageous My aunt had a two mile ride to the doctor from the nursing home and it cost 450 dollars
People under 45 need to become less dependent in their retirement years. They need to set up and fund their retirement income with the understanding that the pensions their parents relied on will not be available to them.
One option I would be in favor of is a means test. I'd rather see benefits reduced for those who don't need them then to reduce benefits based on earnings history. Your earnings history may not be a good reflection of your wealth once you get to retirement.
Social security is for people who worked. Separate the welfare people from people who worked. If we didn't give so much free stuff we would not need adjustments because people paid for social security through payroll taxes etc.
I certainly hope you are reducing the benefits of people who have never worked or paid into the fund. These should be the first ones on the chopping block. SSA has lost its mission over the years in expanding its benefits and not being able to support this.
We need to prevent money from being able to be withdrawn from the social security trust fund for any other reason than benefit payments.
SS was never meant to be a retirement fund, it was created for people to old or sick to work, not for those that just didn't want to work. It was created to take care of widows and orphans when the male breadwinner died, don't think we need it for widows anymore who can support themselves. Eliminate the wage base limit, at least the employee share, so the ones making millions each year can pay their fair share.
Social Security should be considered a living policy that needs reviewed and acted on from time to time. But no action until almost a crisis mode is totally unacceptable to me. It is not that the congress can not view the pending windfalls and use the excess to shore up the country shortfalls in revenues and tend to overlook shortfalls in future benefits for future retirees.
they reduce my ss payments because I receive a goverment pension, This is unfair, my ss is reduced by 40 %
i think s.s should have a mandatory private component to it. much like a mandatory ira. or roth ira. that is what would solve the problem for the long term. funds could then be inherited, and future generations could use those funds to supplement their retirement.
Social security is not welfare. However the welfare system we now have is broken. Instead of penalizing those who actually work hard for a living I would continue to encourage the government to polish up their checks and balance system. Throwing money into welfare recklessly is like trying to put out a fire with kerosene.
I believe that the cap should be eliminated and the taxable income of American's money should be subject to the SS tax.
Congress needs to stop using the Social security funds to fund other programs. The U.S. cannot afford to give seniors COLAS's or house our homeless vertrans but we can give benefits to illegal aliens and refugees who may be terrorists.
Who the heck is qualified to determine what older people actually buy. Will regional variations be considered.
Another option is to allow individuals to put the money they would contribute to SS into their own retirement plan. This would make individuals self-sufficient as well as eliminate the need for SS and the shortfall.
I think, if benefits will be reduced, that it should be publicized well and early, so that younger people realize the need to save.
Changes to social security should only occur for Americans under 30. These workers would then have a lifetime to adjust and make changes for their retirement. Those that have been working under the current promise should not have it pulled out from under them after contributing a lifetime.
When people put money into social security like a bank account, it is the individual's money and they should have access to it when they need it. If the government has agreed to govern over it, the people in office at the time starts using it for their agenda, they should be prosecuted just like a thief.
Stop our congressmen and senators from stealing from social security!
Overall, Social Security is a way for people to depend on the government to take care of them. They should have the foresight to plan for themselves. We have forgotten what delayed gratification is in this country, we don't know how to save money for a latter time when we might need it.
Social Security tax should be on ALL income not just wages, so this would mean since the income was not paid in wages, no one to Share the tax with so you would have to pay the full percentge
Benefits should be calculated based on payments. Eliminate the cap on earnings and fix the payment to that of the date of retirement.
Have the government replace what they took from the program. It's not there for them to take its the people's. Why punish people who make more money and give it to other people they earned it, paid it and deserve to get their share. Plus not all workers can work into their 70s. Police fire Ems construction surgeons etc... So are they going to quit there jobs and work fast food or bag groceries until they get their benefits
In this time when pension funds disappear for workers we need to protect people from the predatory aspects of a greedy system.
What the goverment needs to realize...the working class is payin to much to those who are not willing to try to work do to the system they created WELLFARE. They need to work on this to gat things in balanc.
The Federal Government SHOULD NOT borrow funds to cover the shortfall...We already have borrowed enough...
Social security for retirement should be eliminated all together. It's up to the citizen to make arrangements for retirement.
I don't recall seeing anywhere in this simulation about whether or not people who receive disability benefits are they coming out of what taxpayers are paying in and if so at what percentage. I believe with a little more effort in finding people who are fraudulently receiving benefits where disqualified we would say a tremendous fall in the shortcomings.
The government has dropped the ball on Social Security. Social security was established so that the American people would have something to fall back on. In all reality they should be made to pay that money that is ours back. I am disabled and have tried to get my disability and am currently made to reapply. I can barely walk but my Doctors opinion and treatment for 30 years is disregarded. Drug addicts and alcoholics can get it but I can't with legitimate health problems. We need to cut out the rediculous pensions the Congressmen and Senators get. I have to be made to make the choice to buy medicine or food. My mother is 79 and draws 557.00 a month and can't even get a mere 2.2% increase this year because gas prices were lower. She doesn't drive. I just think they need to rectify their mistakes. They just hope those of us that are disabled just die while we fight for what is ours. Cut the welfare out. We are s up porting the unemployed who contribute nothing. Cut some of the pork.
Aggressively identifying and prosecuting individuals/companies/medical professionals engaged in SS fraud, waste and abuse would resolve SS shortfalls. The agencies assigned to this task should receive additional funding, training and these employees should be subject to performance evaluations tied directly to stopping SS fraud, waste and abuse. A quarterly, detailed status report on their progress should be available on the SS.gov website.
No policy maker we'll ever be elected on a platform that involves eliminating social security almost entirely bit the option should be on the table. Give people and business back their 13% and people would have more than enough for a 401k plan and businesses could easily offer a match this fueling the market and reducing costs associated with managing social security by an already too-large government.
I think that we should see how the changes we make now affect things and then work on more changes later.
Medicare cost increases need to be addressed to solve the shortfall problem
Illegals that do not pay taxes yet collect benefits is terribly hurting this country. Make everyone pay taxes. Don't let those get by without paying while us who have worked many years paying taxes and into Social Security get penalized.
Cost of living raise is very important when on a limited incom
Yes! Pay back ALL monies, with interest, that the Government has robbed from Social Security. In the future....keep your HANDS OFF!;
Social Security was originally designed to be a SUPPLEMENT income. It is not supposed to completely fund seniors' retirements. Nor is it able to.
Being more careful in assessing disability benefits - too many are on disability who are able to work with some limitations.
This is very simple. Stop paying SS benefits to people that have not paid in for them. Stop paying SS to i9llegal aliens.
I probably will not have any by the time I am of retiring age.
There should be a closer look at SSI. There seems to a lot of people collecting this benefit that really are able to work.
If the government would stop helping itself to funds from the social security funds and realize that this is not a government handout or welfare social security has been paid into (no choice) by the working people. If we have excess funds to give to illegal immigrants in the form of food stamps and Medicaid then stop giving free stuff to people from other countries that come here illegally and redirect those funds back into the social security fund. Oh and quit taking from our veterans to give to the illegals also. That would be great.
It's not an entitlement. It's insurance - we paid for it
I think Congress should stop borrowing against Social Security and they should also eliminate their social retirement fund and join it with the Social Security fund. I think this would eliminate the shortfall and make Congress more responsible and think twice about dipping into the Social Security fund.
Since I see the entire program as anti-freedom, I would fulfill the promises made to workers about to retire, but Stop making promises to the young. Develop a way to phase out Social Security altogether and stop redistributing wealth. Trust the citizenry to make their own plans and face real consequences of their good, or bad, decisions. Stop the class warfare. Stop letting the Fed and policy makers inflate the money supply which punishes savers (responsible people) and rewards debt-accumulators (irresponsible people). These policies which are shrouded in a false understanding of compassion have helped corrupt our culture and led to less compassion, through worsening class warfare. It appalled me to see that all the proposed "solutions" were an effort to save an immoral and dishonest program. Why not just do what's right? It is not right to try to fix one sin by committing another.
KEEP THE GOVERNMENT FROM SPENDING FUNDS OUT OF SS
Only a statement. i can't possibly live on my SS benefits. I have worked for 35 years, raised a family, and paid my taxes. I would starve if I tried to live on my own.
Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. My personal preference would be to phase it out, encouraging personal investment via education at the earliest levels of life.
I have always thought that SS was a minimum safety net for people, not necessarily the only method that should be relied upon. Personal responsibility and family/church/friends also play a large part in providing for the care of the elderly. I disagree with the notion that parents/elderly should live on their own rather that with their children or others. Our society is breaking down and changing tax codes to facilitate it is wrong!
Maybe U.S. citizens should be reminded that Social Security was never meant to be the only retirement funding needed. I am also curious about if the federal government has ever "borrowed" from the Social Security trust fund for other budget items.
Federal government is notoriously inefficient in administering services. Government waste should be the first target for improving funding of social security and other critical services. Moreover, the Constitution specifies that governmental functions not specifically reserved to the federal government must be the responsibility of state governments. The closer administration is to the people, the more cost-effective. Regulation, federal government intervention in private lives and other activities that reduce the capital available for job creation and industrial expansion restrict the payroll contributions to programs like social security.
I am a widow and and if it were not for Social Security I would have to be on the Goverments hand out And My husband worked over 30 years and was also in the army and I worked for 20 years so What i paid in is due me and not what they are trying to make me believe is a hand out!
Yes. Why is there no mention of privatizing SS or investing current funds in safe investment options other than the governmental special issues (domestic and overseas) to lessen the shortfall? The horrid 3.58% annual rate is sickening. Even a modest gain in interest to 5% would help the shortfall considerably.
I think the recent change in the policy that dis-allows the file and suspend method is not fair to current retirees. I believe any future changes in policy that restricts options such as this should not affect current retirees. I think most current retirees need our government to step up before it's too late to make any and all policy changes required to prevent "negative or reduced options" for people, especially the ones who have already retired and trying to live out their lives with a financial plan already in place. It's very difficult or impossible to change financial plans later in life.
Keep jobs in usa Make everyone legal Get out of foreign countries Kick walmart exxon corporations off welfare a right to work law kick churches off welfare
People who have SSI checks need to be drug tested and benefits decreased or cut off! I know for a fact that 60% of these people spend their benefits on drugs not to mention "food stamps".
There are clearly a number of reasonable adjustments that can be made to shore up Social Security, but the undeniable reality is that citizens will have to pay more in taxes to do so.
We would not be hurting so if our benefits were left alone & not touched for other things & never paid back. Who is allowed to do that?? If I tried that & didn't pay back what I had borrowed, they would come after me with all they had to get their money back!! Yet the government can come in &take our money for who knows what, never put the money back, & then wonder why we are broke??? Stop it, stop taking our money!! They should Not be allowed to take our money for any other use!! It is not yours to take. You work for us, so act like it. Don't just walk in & act like this is your back-up fund for whatever you feel like that day!! Leave your hands Off our fund. Never use our funds for any other use except social security!! You have been allowed to do this for too long. Time to Stop!! Don't touch our money ever. You want extra? Give up your perks, which you shouldn't be getting anyway!! You are all overpaid for the horrendous job you have been doing !! Shame on you!! No minimum wage raise, but you all sure get your raises!! Shame on you!! Try to live on what we get per month. You would all shrivel up & die!! We have families too who deserve as much as yours!! So until we get a minimum wage raise, you should all forego any & all raises. Only fair!! None for us, none for you!! Try living like real people for a change. You are not on our same level. That's why you can't relate & make these asinine decisions when it comes to our welfare. None of you damn politicians walk on water,
Per the servery, Congress has not taken any such action to adjust revenue & benefits of American people from 1986; that tells me that law-makers in the Congress are the problem . We , the American people should put a limit to their serving on the Congress. There should a Term limits for them , just like average working class American has a retirement age. If Congress can not resolve the issue, they should be fired, just like average Americans' get fired from their jobs.
I think this is also an issue of balance - social security helps reduce inequality in the way the proportion of wages to benefit are calculated, but on the other hand there are other issues such as wage and job discrimination that will still be reflected in the system. I think the wealthy, who are a part of American social welfare policy whether we acknowledge it or not, should have all their payroll income included in Social Security as is the case for most Americans. I have concerns about raising the retirement age, because health and energy levels of people in their 60s vary greatly from person to person, and I think individual needs can be considered more effectively with a lower retirement age. The health of Social Security, as far as the size and contributions of the workforce is concerned, has much to do with the availability of jobs with good wages, the accessibility of affordable healthcare and housing, and especially education. I am not sure that these systems are functioning well enough in underserved communities for us to count on a healthy workforce. I'm quite pessimistic we are maintaining an entrenched underclass, and while I am grateful that social security exists, it makes me sad to see many people in my community who have worked under-the-table jobs like babysitting and cleaning and cobbled together handyman work get just a few hundred dollars a month from social security - if they live long enough. These are the people often first to lose access t
I believe that our government should not be able to take monies fro Social Security Trust Fund to supplement other needs in the Government. Also, when a person passes away and had worked all his or her life and did not have the opportunity to draw the first SS check, where does that monies go. The family only gets 255.00 for funeral. There has been a lot of money taken out of this fund. I'm opposed to that.
A group besides congress needs to fix social security. Congress has been borrowing from social security for so long that they, the congress, has bankrupted it
Economy MUST grow. Once that happens many of these issues will be solved, but ONLY if government will NOT raid the social security fund. If they had not done that long ago, we would have no problems. We must incentivize people to progress and not become dependent on the government for all their necessities and living needs.
Make Social Security open to legal Americans only. Make it only available if you have paid in to it.
Limit the size and scope of the Federal Government.
Prevent illegal immigrants from getting benefits and restrict what people get if the only pay in a few years
Why now questions about moving to a private model for younger workers?
Eliminate punitive governmental policy on 401 K income testing
Eliminate Social Disability and require people to buy a private sector policy just like we require people to buy car insurance.
Keep Congress from pulling money out of the Social Security Fund. Have Congress put repay the money that has already been pulled out of the program.
Increase the contributing base for payroll taxes Cut welfare and stimulate the able to produce
I'd like to see the gutless wonders in Congress deal with this subject and settle it even if it might mean their jobs. The American people are looking for leaders.
The government has used Social Security for so many non social security programs for so many years,how about they try to get money from non social security programs to replace what was stolen.
How about ending social security over the next 20 years? The governments budget is 4 trillion there are a lot of other ways to save money.
Open immigration with immigrants who work to pay into social security and only available benefits for those that become naturalized citizens.
I think we should gradually get rid of SS all together
Cut government waste and the shortfall is covered. Cut welfare and other programs. Eliminate Obama Care!
Use Social Security for retirees and disabled. Keep the government from using the money for anything else.
Is it possible to gauged how long the retirement age bracket will be 25% or higher? When will the baby boomer statistics to drop? This information would be important in determining setting new standards forever or for a set timeframe.
Set an age/year at in which social security is abolished and funds are given to the employee to manage in 401k/IRAs.
We are at the time in our life they we pay more in been old. Our insurance for drug is very high.
I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN THE SOCIAL SECURITY MONIES THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN TOO FUND THEIR PET PROJECTS, THEY NEED TO PUT IT BACK, MY HUSBAND DIED AND NEVER RECIEVED HIS BENEFITS. SO HIS SHOULD BE EXTRA IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY FUND, I AM BARELY MAKING IT NOW ON WHAT I MAKE HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO MAKE IT ON EVEN LESS!!!!!
It was so difficult, because you don't want the elderly to suffer, yet the shortfall is such a problem. It made it more difficult to make the decisions.
I would like the option to eliminate or substantially reduce COLAs for the highest income earners.
People receive benefits who have never paid into the system. The disabled need these benefits, however there is a lot of fraud going on with SSI. I personally witness it daily. I have students who have large checks each month and the parents do not take basic care of them, dirty,no clean or new clothes, no glasses etc. These people should not be getting the funds for their children which they spend on themselves. Also, people on SSI should not be using 800.00 phones and driving expensive cars. The money is diverted from the people it is supposed to help.
I am a high income earner that took early retirement. I looked at my benefits and told contributions my and employers. A competitive bid to purchase a single life immediate annuity would only pay 60% of my SS check and was a level payment. I propose that we keep SS whole by first sending out "two checks to all recipients. One from SS and another from the "welfare dept". This will give everyone a better understanding of the "messed up SS system". Also make SS a retirement only system - not a disability and supplemental income system. Move those to the Welfare system. Do the math and see where we need to change the systems. My father became disabled in the 1960's. My family would not have made it without SS. Mom went to school and started teaching. I worked throughout middle and high school to help make ends meet. My two sisters and I both got college degrees and had successful careers. Mom is 92 now with a $800 SS check and a $800 teachers pension. I know that we all would not be where we are today without SS so I will gladly support a "real safety net" for retirement from SS - not a full retirement pension system. We have other "system" to care for our productive citizens in retirement vs using SS. Keep SS whole - we paid for it.
There should be a cost of living increase even if there is no cost of living for people who are on social security because the amount of benefits received is always lower anyway.
My dad died when I was a kid. Just like Paul Ryan. Both of our mothers benefited greatly from the survivor benefits paid to living spouses. Two questions: How would these proposals affect payout to families in such circumstances? Why does Paul Ryan hate people who went through what he did?
The elderly can't work more hours. Social security was created to keep them from dying in the streets, not to supplement the income of others. Redistribute the wealth from the top seven figure earners to those who legitimately are no longer employable.
I believe that there is wasteful spending in some of the federal departments and all of the departments should face an audit to determine what items could be "cut" in order to reduce spending. This money could go to help fund Social Security.
What about the illegals coming here to work?
I feel that all earnings should be taxed no matter what amount one earns yearly
The U S govt should embrace capitalism with free markets and gold backed currency. Eliminate annual deficits and full pay the national debt. I know . . . it will be a cold day in Hell(o)
Start cutting loop holes for corporations and politicians. Make these groups pay there share instead of spending billions of dollars in legal fees to avoid paying taxes.
American government need to take care of its elderly for they worked hard and should be able to live a comfortable end of life in years...to be able to afford food, electricity, medicines, etc...They should not have to go back to work in their 70's to support their existence.
Remove Social Security from the general fund and put back the way it was. People making higher wages are saving and investing for retirement.
I liked this simulation since it showed a way to fix the problem using methods that I could find acceptable. Why can't Congress do this?
every question deals with tweaking the current program some way. I say, scrap it gradually by giving workers the option to opt out of paying into and receiving any benefit from Social Security. Offer the option of personal savings accounts where each worker funds his own retirement. And teach every youth what this means and the fundamentals of saving, investing, and being self sufficient rather than government dependent. A safety net for only the few truly needy! I am disappointed in how limited this discussion is focused.
I think we should remember the purpose of Social Security in the decision making process. The sick and elderly should not be forced to live their remaining years in poverty.
There should be more push for people to save for retirement in some way other than Social Security.
Periodically investigate to make sure that those receiving social security are still alive, and the government (us) is not being ripped off by family or friends. No SS funds should be used for illegal immigrants or other who have not paid into the system.
If Congress had not raided the Social Security fund repeatedly, there would be more money in the system. I would rather see a total reduction in pork spending, stop giving money to other countries and reduce the government itself.
Social Security can be described as solidarity between the various members of the US society, but it also can be described as the contribution of the wealthiest to a budget to help those whose work has made their fortune possible. When there is chaos, there are no fortunes to be built... Piketty indicates that data shows that the two WWs in Europe had wiped out a majority of the assets... but it is difficult to tell a wealthy US person that her/his wealth would not exist in drug-traffic riddled Mexico. There must be a set of clever arguments somewhere: I have not read them... they need to reflect your numbers... and speak to the wealthy's concern for their security and comfort. (Needs to be a set of 2 or 3 arguments... old age has taught me that much.)
Obamacare doubled my insurance costs and reduced my coverage. I don't want to see the same thing happen to Social Security. The money I pay in is supposed to be mine. My benefits should not be reduced and redristributed later because I am successful now.
Put any member of congress in jail for ever touching the Social Security funds. The shortfall was caused by congress borrowing from the funds and never repaying them. Reduce congress retirement pay to what the rest of us have to live with.
SS is unnecessary. Better ways should be provided for the worker to keep his $$ and invest in wiser mechanisms.
Just hopefully by the time I am older the ss security benefits will be better.
Congress members should have to follow the same rules as all Americans.
I retired at 62 because work became unbearable. I had intended to work to full retirement of 65 + 8 months. I have been retired for 12 years. If you reduce my benefits now, I will have to go back to work I guess as a Wal-Mart greater!
Even though the top 25% earners contribute more to social security does not mean that they "deserve" or should have more benefits since they do not need or require S. S. retirement income. They have plenty of assets for retirement.
don't let the government dip into the funds
You are looking at this all wrong. The population needs to be separated into two categories those born before 1960 and those born after 1965. Those born before 1960 should stay on the current system (method) of Social Security. Those born after 1965 should be taken off the current system and allowed to invest the SS tax on their own, with obvious restrictions. Those born between 1960 and 1965 need to be on a hybrid type system.
Yeah - nowhere does it talk about the governemnt's misuse of the money they already get and doing a major overhaul of the social security administration. There should be massive reorganization and downsizing of this benefit as a way to reduce cost. Furthermore, people should be allowed to put MORE of their own money away for retirement. This is capped so that people are trapped into needing social security. If I pay into it, I should collect the same amount back!!! The governemnt's has no right to use my money for other people to retire on.
One of the main problems is that the government has not been wise on the utilization of OUR money. They have wasted and misspend our money instead of investing wisely and multiplying our money. We should not have to pay for their mismanagement of our money, LOANED to them while we are still working.
SS is a failure and it needs to be stopped. Our grandparents made a mistake believing that any elected body would ever properly manage anything well. Nothing in life is free, people need to learn to take care of their own lives, help their neighbors(not with distant disconnected government plans). Yes we will be paying for it till the boomers all die but it needs to be cancelled for everyone born after 1970 and those people need to open their own retirement plans and manage it themselves in a wise fashion.
Allow people who have paid into S.S., and currently earn an income over a certain level, the choice to forfeit what they have paid in and no long pay into the system, with the understanding they will not receive S.S. benefits in the future. They could take those tax savings and invest into a plan of their choosing. This would remove that person from the benefits pool in the future.
The problem with social security is the government. The people have kept their end of the bargain.
I AM A 61 YR OLD FEMALE WHO HAS WORKED SINCE THE AGE OF 13. I AM REALLY AFRAID OF GIVING UP FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT IN THE NEXT 4 YEARS. SO I GUESS I AM LEFT TO WORK UNTIL I CAN'T ANYMORE.
The early retirement age of 62 should be eliminated. Many people start taking the benefits at 62 to maximize the total benefits that think they will get.
Do not allow borrowing funds from Social Security for other purposes.
Audit the social security system to reduce fraud and overlapping benefits.
There should be other methods to assist in the shortfall other than upping the age, taxing more wages and / or raising or removing caps.
Now or at a future point- allow workers to opt out of social security if they are participating in an employer retirement plan. Raise the minimum number of years worked to 25-30 rather than 10yrs
For me, Medicare benefits have been a lifeline for me. I am 66 and have been employed since 16 yrs of age. Of course, I receive retirement benefits as well. But to continue in the lifestyle I'm accustom to takes a lot. A large portion goes for medicines.
They need to leave social security alone and stop borrowing from it.
It's sad to know that after 30 years of working hard that social security is not there for you. I could not get my disability when i applied and had to use my saving. I applied to retire early and now facing more problems.
We all know that Social Security is in bad shape I have no idea how to fix the problem. I do think that all salaries should be text, all, I don't know why those small people opinion all the taxes and the people they could really help don't pay anything. It seems as though you're trying to make this a Third World country
I did not ask nor did any of my friends ask for SS! I would rather have made my own investments but with no choice the option was not there!
Stop the government from stealing from the SS account which would solve the overall 'shortcoming'!
What about cutting administrative costs.
decrease non-defense government spending and foreign aid
I think that more emphasis should be put on people eating a better diet with less processed foods and exercising more. They would save money on their groceries and lower health care costs.
Stop using Social Security receipts to underwrite current outlays. Invest a part of Social Security receipts in the market. Increase tax free credits for those who provide/procure NGO retirement funds.
I feel that if the government had not tapped into social security funds for other projects, there would not be an issue of fund shortage, and if these borrowed or pilfered funds were paid back, the problem would be rectified.Also if a better job of screening recipients was done,to eliminate fraudulent claims or undeserved payments, there would not be a shortage of funds. The underlying problem is greed and unscrupulous manipulation that leaves honest hardworking taxpayers being shortchanged.
Responsibility needs to be taught while people are young, and they need to understand that Social Security isn't really full retirement. That would be difficult to legislate. However, those who receive SS benefits have paid in good faith through the years and should receive what they were told they could expect.
INSTEAD OF MESSING WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS? HOW ABOUT NOT NOT NOT NOT GIVING BILLIONS TO OTHER COUNTRY'S! TAKING AWAY BENEFITS FOR CITIZENS OF THE USA WHILE GIVING MONEY TO IRAN???? ASININE!
Be honest about the actual return on a persons lifetime SS contributions- 0 to 2%.
The government should stop taking from social security to pay for other things. As Al Gore once said, "Put a lock box on social security".
If the Gov. hadn't used this money for decades, instead left it alone, there would not be such a crisis now.
We did not consider benefits paid other than retirement. We should be considering the abuse of disability and other unearned benefits. Benefits should not be paid to those who haven't earned them.
My main concern is the cost of housing. People like myself cannot afford the rent on even the smallest apt. There needs to be tiny home communities built that are only for retired persons living on social security that are clean and not in "sketchy, run down" neighborhoods. Areas where they are familiar and comfortable with.
Social security should be modified so that you get out what you put in (plus interest, of course). We should pay one time for those who are already out of the system, but modify future retirees' benefits to reflect what they put into the system.
Changes should be gradually phased in for all cases, the max income cap could be phased in CPI+1 or 2%
I believe that there is a growing feeling among hard working Americans that Social Security is becoming more and more like welfare. Take from those who work hard and give to those who don't.
The "trust fund" is an accounting fiction. You shouldn't do an entire presentation pretending that it is real. You become part of the problem when you do.
Stop any government use of these funds llie they did in the past, why not make them pay it back.
If person A works 30 years at poverty level, they should not be entitled to receive more or the same benefits that a person B worked for 30 years at above poverty level. Otherwise, this kind of benefit leveling is called SOCIALISM! This country is the land of opportunity, everyone has the same opportunity to do better and it should be on each person to improve their situation, not on the people who actually worked to get to where they are, or the government to care for their lack of motivation to improve. Encouraging poverty by proving the same benefits is discouraging to those of us who actually try to do better. Benefits should be equal to the amount of effort put in.
Have congress start paying into Social Security.
Stop spending the fund money on non retirement costs!!!!
It has to be fixed even if it hurts. Just fix it. Nothing to it but to do it.
With greater blessings, come greater responsibilities. You are blessed with more income, you have a MORAL responsibility to SHARE. RISE ABOVE base-human SELFISHNESS. Excesses are to be shared, lovingly, willingly, joyfully, if not... humbly.
social security wuz not intended for illegal peoples frm mexico. or frm other countries. a person shld pay for thr fair share first.
We have people collecting SS that never paid in anything. Some come from other countries. It is not right. People need to invest early to reach a retirement nest egg and not rely only on SS.
Government should print more money for social security and quit taking from hard working americans. Make it mandatory for every worker to have 401k retirement plan the moment you start working.
I would trust the politicians more trying to solve this if their retirement was also funded solely by social security and not by the pensions they receive for being president, senator, or representative.
Let the Government invest in the market mot spend it then tax to rase it.
I feel that a portion of Social Security Benefits should be invested ina 401K or IRA OR savings account drawing interest to keep in until retirement age. That way part of the benefits would be paid out while the rest of the benefits would be accruing interest. This would ensure that there would not be a deficit.
All of the solutions involve the people giving up benefits and paying more in taxes. As long as government keeps spending the nation deeper into debt, none of these solutions will last. They are stop-gaps. We need better leaders in Congress.
Social Security should be for ONLY Americans who have worked outside the home, not children or at home mothers NOR for others with a larger retirement account. It was developed to insure that no American retiree live in poverty, yet many are.
Review all categories of those receiving benefits. The tendency is to keep adding eligible categories. The true intent and original purpose is a RETIREMENT BENEFIT. KEEP that intent.
Part of the problem SS has is that money is taken out for programs never intended to be funded by it when it was started. These other programs need their own funding not taken out of SS.
Two things: 1. The SS Trust Fund seems to have been used by Congress as a slush fund to be used for everything else. This should stop or be modified. 2. How much will the actual incomes/economy be by 2033, and how much is it taken into acct in these proposals?
Do NOT let Congress or any government entity "borrow" from Social Security!
Instead of suggesting Social Security is the only income a retired person will get, make individual retirement saving easier and more beneficial.
Abolish social security and make people and their families be responsible for themselves.
Would like to see if there would be any way for people who are in their 40 to start getting Heath care advice at workplace. Give more knowladge about taking care of their body's so when they do retire they can live longer than 68 years old.
social security was started for working people to be used for their retirement and to help their spouses and their children . it should not be used for any other reason and barrow monies from social security. pay back the money that was barrowed from this fund.
Government pays more in emergency medical care, food stamps or food programs, and housing and nursing home costs when people are the poorest and eat poorly and in poor health. If income is higher these costs may be reduced overall.
Retired GS employees are penalized by SS, and do not recieve full benefits, this is unfair!!
Social Security, along with other social programs, have been mismanaged by Congress. They (Political Parties) blame each other, but they are all to blame for the State of the Union. Nothing will change until the politics of how our Government manages it's affairs changes. If our Government was held accountable for it's mismanagement and incompetence, then things would change. But as long as the "insane run the asylum", nothing will change. Our Government is no longer about what is best for our Country or it's People, but what is best for the Political Parties and it's Donors/Lobbyists. It angers and saddens me to see our Country so divided and headed in the wrong direction. Perhaps, this is purposely done, so no one looks to Washington as the case of all our problems. You send me this survey for my opinion about what to do with the Social Security problem, but you miss the mark. It is not that we need to increase taxes or cut benefits, it is that we need to CUT GOVERNMENT. Do we really need an Education Department, an IRS, A Home Land Security, an EPA, etc, etc. No, these agencies have out lived their purpose. Education can be delegated to the State level, for example. How much would this save us? How much did the Affordable Care Act website cost us? By how much would this waste have narrowed the short fall in Social Security. Who was held accountable for that fiasco? No one. How much do we give in foreign aid to Countries who want to do us harm. Money by the way that we
non-disabled people who have collected large amounts of food stamps or other welfare throughout their life should be charged a "drain on society" tax that reduces the amount of their social security incomes by 10% (puts more burdens on states than SS-federal)
Let's get Sosa security back to the people it was designed to be given to you work you pay you get benefits. If you do not pay into it if you're illegal it for any other reason you didn't put into it you get nothing just the way it works. That's the only way were going to solve the problem. Not by raising taxes
I am a retired school librarian and even though I got in my 40 quarters, I do not get a SS check! I do not think that is fair!
We need to simply ELIMINATE Social Security in its entirety; pay out what is owed, and allow for the citizens to deal with their own individualized means for retirement. This should NOT be sanctioned or paid out by the government, but should be taken care of by each individual citizen. Why was this NOT an option on your survey?!? Pay out what is owed in a manner over 5-10 years, or so, and adjust accordingly in other areas. This money that was paid in to Social Security was NEVER meant to be paid out to those who didn't pay in!! I know many people who are receiving SSI checks who are "supposedly" unable to work, yet I see them riding motorcycles, doing work around their house, etc. It's a joke, and like welfare, it's being taken advantage of by many who not only don't need it, but shouldn't receive it in the first place! Let's focus our time, effort, energy, and funding elsewhere in order to re=stimulate the economy. This will also allow for business owners to be able to pay out more to their employees (rather than that extra money going to the government to "hold"), as well as allow for other areas for businesses to be able to not force excess cost of living increases.
The rate of payments are not enough to live on. People who get the benefits usually have higher medical bills and such so they are forced to chose from getting meds or eating. They worked hard and should not have to live a degraded life especially ones who end up disabled due to no fault of their own. Maybe they should just equal payments for everyone
I would like the federal government repay the social security trust fund the amount that was borrowed from it.
The US government MUST address this issue despite its continued hesistation to do so.
people who are not married and don't have anyone to help support them and they have worked over 30 years should be entitled to at least $1,500 a month or more.
Many people on Soc Sec are continuing to work in order to supplement their income even with a pension in place; due to the cost of living at this point in time! Raising the age to 70 is very doable.
Just lower the benefits that are paid for those earning more than $100000 a year.
Rather than base benefits solely on income, benefit calculations should take personal assets into account. I believe much of social security problems are due to irresponsible raiding by politicians in the past. Phasing out the congressional retirement program in favor of social security is only fair to the American people.
In 2014 due to illness and medical bills I withdrew so much from my Ira that I exceeded the $80k limit so my monthly SSpaymens in 2016
Do aS SOME OTHER COUNTRIES DID YEARS AGO AND TREAT ss AS A SELF-DIRECTED 401K WITH BUILT IN SAFEGUARDS AGAINST SOMEONE MAKING BAD CHOICES. tHIS HAS BEEN DONE IN SOME COUNTRIES SEVERAL GENERATIONS BACK WITH EXCELLENT RESULTS. ALSO, SS STARTED AS A DEDICATED PAYMENT PROGRAM. CALL IN ALL THE IOUs FROM OTHER AGENCIES, REMOVE ILLEGALS AND FOREIGN NATIONALS FROM THE PROGRAM IF THEY DID NOT FULFILL ALL REQUIREMENTS THE REST OF US HAD TO.
A major part of the issue of the shortfall that the politicians are failing to acknowledge is the fact that the funds have been dipped into several times over the years to pay for unrelated things. It would be nice if those funds were returned!
There should be a law against the President (LBJ) or Congress from raiding Social Security to pay for things like the Vietnam War.
Believing that only be a part of anybody's retirement the fact is it has become the only source of retirement for many. Because of that it should be there for all in the future because there will be those who will plan in the future as now. If may not always be enough but there has to be some source of income. Our older generations need to know that this country is a safe place to grow old in. If it means we all have to work a little longer and pay a little more that is a small price. We hear so much about what this will cost the American worker. I have one question where has the American worker gone. If you want to insure that social security will be there in the future begin by putting people back to work. People need to work to pay into it for it to stay alive.
Too much politics the system is broken and unfair
I think children with disabilities should not get social security, that's where a lot of it goes, maybe when they turn 18 but not unitl then. then put nothing into the system.
In my opinion, your social security benefits should be based on how much $ you put into your social security.
What about raising the percent of what the employer has to pay on payroll taxes? That was never mentioned. I believe that would help the shortfall.
Hi folks. Just to note, I found this particular survey somewhat problematic. None of the answers reflect the true abhorrence I feel for the oldest running ponzi scheme in the world, that is social security. I would totally abolish it!
I hope this can help the people that need the help and dose not hurt the low income. I thing they pay to much taxes already
The elderly now depend greatly on Social Security and taking it away or lowering it could be devastating. My mother receives Social Security and lives paycheck to paycheck.
It appears that some people may be collecting benefits they did not contribute to proportionately; they worked only a few years, for example, yet collect the same as those who worked their whole lives.
Nope at this time but hope the things get solve
I am not sure why this survey did not address issues like SSI and people who hey get checks due to mental illness. This seems to be an area where savings measures should also be applied.
Make the politicians who wastefully spent the SS money pay it all back. Stop borrowing from and using SS monies for anything other then SS, pay back all that was borrowed and make all politicians work for normal American wages. Make them give up all their perks (lifetime retirement and health care). Make them work like regular Americans and get the same benefits as everyone else
Majority of people on SS have no option to change their circumstances or income. Not fair to cut in any way, people are living with bare necessities.
I believe that anyone who has NOT paid into social security should not receive any benefits, i.e. people in the country illegally. Also, the Government should not be allowed to touch social security for anything but Social Security. No borrowing or using the money for any other programs. There is no reason that Social Security should be in the fix it is in other than poor management by the Government. Also, SSI should be re-evaluated. People suffering from bipolar disorder should not be allowed to receive SSI benefits. There is medicine to deal with that disorder.
Establish a 'plan' to repay funds taken from accumulation of payroll taxes paid FOR Social Security when fund was flush- and congress moved them to a GENERAL FUND, and spent on other 'general' purposes, in effect turning the S.S. System into a giant PONZI Scheme. Had these funds been handled at that time, as proposed in the establishment of the "Social Security" System, ie invested, not reallocated, Accumulated funds would be sufficient NO shortfall. Federal Gov't desperately needs to STOP overspending - repay Social Security funds used for other purposes. A good place to start cut backs in spending: Congressional perks & power that make serving more than 2 terms attractive career options. Next - Clean up all the fraud by many recipients of "Federal Assistance Benefits" - all the easily received 'handouts' that make it more profitable to live off the gov't, as a 'single parent' than work to support and keep ones family together.
We have to understand that we have to pay to get a top notch society. No one wants to increase taxes but that is what makes for better roads, schools, etc. The extremely wealthy ( and some are philanthropic...some not) should pay higher taxes to balance out those who aren't. Keeping money here in our own country instead of in off shore accounts would also help. Reminding people of the history of social security helps too.
The government needs to stop borrowing from social security.
I am living on a fixed income (SS) and have to watch every penny I spend. Just cot a cost for new eyeglasses of $1,074.00! I cannot afford to get new glasses.
SS disability requirements need to me more strict and evaluated annually. ALL SS and Medicare processes need to be streamlined and simplified. They're currently inefficient and costly. Need more thinking outside the box and less red tape in Congress.
do you hav had topay into ss inorder toget payments?
Basically we need a pension system that will keep our society healthy and living at a reasonable level. We should keep these objectives in mind and not depend on people making the correct decisions when they are young and see no need for them when they get older. Social Security is supposed allow people to save while they are earning so they have a healthy and sustainable retirement when they are their most vulnerable. Anything else they do is a supplement.
I think disability has been over used such SSI and such. Maybe having to requalify and having suspect Doctors would reduce the number that are using SSI illeagly.
A percentage of income received by the govt should be invested in private industry to get better rates of return. Tell Congress to NOT TOUCH these funds PERIOD,
I believe wealthy individuals have the means to take care of their retirement but poor and middle class people need assistance in making sure they can also retire with some dignity.
My social security payment is based on two months work out of 12, because I retired in March of that year. I receive only slightly over the minimum, because my usual annual salary was not used in the calculation. So I don't care whether other high earners get the same decrease as I get.
Never cap payroll tax on the individual. If you make $10 million you pay on all of it. The employer should not be taxed beyond your proposal of $215,000 ceiling. Stop giving away Social Security to those to whom it was never intended - like SSI. Verify SSI and continue to verify SSI and stop the fraud.
People should be taught not to rely on Social Security as their sole source of retirement income.
Yes. Make all the high officials in government pay more taxes and less pay. Use half of their pay to fund the social security. They make too much money. They should get what we get very little. The veterans get below poverty. And as a retiree we get less and are paying more taxes.
You have ignored the part of this situation where the responsible parties that collected the funds have squandered and increased the expenditures for their own benefit rather than those who produced the value at the onsetr.
something needs to be done. It is not fair that we have been putting money into the pot and then not being able to get any out is not acceptable.
There is much talk about raising the age to receiving benefits above 70. There are too many people who do not reach this age or the chance to retire and relax as it is. This would continue to make this a big problem for all. A plan to increase people's benefits at a later date if they choose to take partial benefits and work first is a good idea.
It's frustrating that the higher income bracket is smarter with their money, has paid for more education, and has saved money throughout their lives gets less benefits. I understand that we have to help the elderly, but it would be nice if we could depend on all workers to be responsible with their earnings.
A better way is having a non capped flat tax cor all with an income
I think keeping Social Security in place is absolutely essential. The cost of not having this system in place would and operating effectively would be far greater.
I am 39 years of age and a middle class worker. Something must be done to eliminate our Social Security shortfall.
Why not make Social Security what it was originally set up to be, a savings trust for people to use in their old age to ensure quality of life.
Try keeping the government from taking money from the SS system and returning what it has already taken and there wouldn't be a problem. The social Security system should be maintained and protected by people in the financial field subject to extreme penalties if abuse if found. A law should be created prohibiting the government from borrowing or removing any funds other than for the participants.
When I was a young man I was told that Social Security would be all the retirement I needed. I have worked all my life and would have been much better off putting my money into an annuity. If I had put the same amount into an annuity I would get twice as much each month and be able to retire ten years earlier.
We have to budget more carefully ansd always prepare for the rainy day
Reduce BIG government. Reduce excess military spending.
How about using the Social Security fund ONLY for workers benefits and not all the other stuff it is currently being used for!
As we get older the needs of more benefits are needed for some people .
We have pay SS for long time that we deserve our money back, remember government uses it for loans on people and that person's pay interest on the lian amount
No mention was made of SSI recipients who paid nothing into the system.
I don't understand why Social Security recipients have to pay taxes on their Social Security benefit amt. That seems unfair, since they have already paid taxes with that income, while working. Just a thought...
Too many Americans are collecting social security due to disability. A closer look at those receiving these benefits would greatly improve the viability of Social Security.
Security is a valuable asset and we need to make sure that it stays solvent for the future generations. We need to make it work.
I believe that in moving forward, Social Security should work like insurance and only be available to those who fall below a certain threshold. People who are doing well and obviously far above the threshold, should not be allowed to receive it. Now, in addition to this, it should be instilled in the new generation the importance of financial planning, saving etc. Social Security should no longer be a freefall entitlement program.
Any proposals need to apply to all members of government. Any cutting of benefits to the american people need to be reflected in similar cuts to government employees (congress especially)
Elderly Americans worked hard in their younger years having a family. Seems like after age 65 the elderly can barely survive on their social security benefits. They have to pay for the medical bills and prescriptions that Medicare will not cover. This is the reason why the elderly will not take the proper medication dosage because they will take less medication in order to make their medication last longer.
We should create a REAL bank account for each SSN and transfer the money being held by Washington into each of these separate accounts. Withdrawal limits similar to now for SS. Investment limits similar to now for IRA/401K. 100% inheritable using standard inheritance law.
Reduce welfare payments and funds that support or are given to illegal immigrants and use that money for social security. Eliminate or reduce foreign aid and use that money fund increased social security amounts.
It is unrealistic for anyone to assume that Social Security will be enough to fund retirement. One effort that we should continue to consider is privatizing Social Security or otherwise encouraging citizens to invest in private retirement savings accounts, basing level of risk on time before retirement. (near to retirement = lower risk investments.
In an ideal world, people would have a retirement plan other than Social Security to live on after they retire. But policy makers need to keep in mind that some people need every penny of their paycheck to survive and can't put anything away for retirement. Also, they need to remember that terrible things happen in people's lives that cause them to lose or liquidate their retirement savings. These are the people that Social Security was meant to help and we cannot let them slip between the cracks. People who are victims of circumstances beyond their control should not be forgotten about or forced to live in poverty in their later years. Policy makers need to be reasonable and talk to each other, not argue with each other. They need to think about their loved ones or themselves as if their only safety net for retirement were Social Security and what they would want and need for them and themselves in retirement. Use common sense and compassion.
social security wasn't ever well planned out when it was initiated
Those top earners that retire with incomes over $500,000 should not receive SS. SS should be looked at as an insurance program and top people get huge retirement checks don't need the few bucks from social security. But if they lose their money in investments then they can get SS. Things that the gov should not be funding like arts, unnecessary studies, rebuilding foreign countries. A few billion here and there does add up. Go after fraud in all areas.
Remove sSocial Security from the General fund so that politicians do not decide how to spend our pension.
1. Eliminate the cap after which SS contributions are no longer taken. This has actually applied to us a couple of times in the past, and the add'l dollars from no SS deduction were nice, but not all that helpful, investable, etc. Just get rid of that cap. 2. How about no longer taking from actual SS funds to pay for other projects and/or shortfalls elsewhere? SS funds were earmarked for SS! Congress should keep its mittens off it, as far as "re-directing" SS funds. 3. People do have a responsibility to think ahead and plan ahead; in other words, to live within their means from the age of adulthood forward. SS was intended as just one leg of the retirement stool, not as sole or even necessarily the majority of support. 4. We can project numbers out as far as we want, but circumstances are changing so quickly in this world that to say what will be the case even 10 years from now, much less 20 or 50, seems somewhat pointless, except as a rough starting point of discussion. For example, I see young people of various income levels around me having 3, 4, or even more kids who will theoretically grow up to support SS funding over the years. (So much for ZPG!) Economies go in cycles, as well. Plus, we have to weigh things against each other: sure, some older people are working longer, but others take early retirement for a lot of reasons, including economic lay-off; inability to think as well as they once did, etc.
Since Congress keeps 'borrowing' from Social Security to cover the budget (see most recent budget), I think that it is Congress trying to get rid of Social Security (which I contributed to and thus not an entitlement) and that is the issue contributing to the estimated 'shortfall'.
More people should have to work. Too many people getting money from the government when they are healthy enough to work. You shouldnt get paid to be a drug addict for example
Make citizenship easier to get, so that more of the US population will be working on the books and contributing to social security trust funds.
make a law to have it be a personal retirement plan and not for anty goverment use.
Current retirees should also lose some benefits. They benefitted from lower tax rates that were propped up by social security revenues and borrowing. Now I have to pay higher taxes to cover the increased spending and borrowing. It is immoral to also increase my taxes to pay current retirees benefits. Since I have to take ahit, then in the wonderful tradition of compromise they should take a hit as well.
Eliminate/reduce monies given to other countries until this is resolved.
This was one of the most discouraging and depressing reality checks. Going thru the eval w/aging parents now and trying to be creative on how I plan and prepare for my future not to place my children in a role to care for me.
If we elect a CLOWN not only is Social Security in deep trouble but the country is!
Social Security tax money should be used only for SS and should not be "borrowed" for other issues. The tax money we paid should be used in an annuity for each person who pays taxes and no one who doesn't pay taxes should be able to draw SS. The government is drawing interest on our money and that is all they should get from it.
It seems that in each situation, there are citizens that would justify taking that action. It would be nice if we could see how many citizens fall into each category. I know we are talking about projections for the future, but it would be nice to know how many working 30yrs retire below the poverty level, etc.
Security is a key word in social security, we Americans work too hard for too little but everyone deserves a sense of security
too many people are on SSDI at too young an age. Also, I can't get anybody to hire me at 46, so unless I was running my own company, there's no way anyone would let me work until 69-70
The rich need to pay more and receive less. The poor need to pay at a lesser rate and benefits cannot be cut. Cutting benefits just increases social spending in other areas;e.g. welfare, food stamps, free health care.
My thoughts are if the gov. would keep its fingers out of the ss fund, it would not be in trouble now..
I believe that some people receiving supplemental income are thoroughly abusing that program and that social security is certainly suffering because of it. Somebody should look into that, maybe that's why the social security program is losing money. Think about it.
There are a lot of people that are fully able to work yet are living off of the government right now. Those people need to get an education and start contributing to social security.
I'm a young person (21 years) who really didn't know this was an issue that can affect me when I reach retirement age. This is a serious problem for people that are paying their income taxes and won't have those benefits for what they paid. What is being done so people it will affect become more aware of this issue? Also, why is there no consumerist and personal finance education in our public school curriculum? I consider myself relatively higher informed about personal finance than other peers my age. A lot my friends have no idea what they've gotten themselves into when they take on loans for cars/education/houses/etc. and what it means to have an APR rate on that loan. Several people take out credit cards with the misconception that it is free money and that they can pay it back over time without spending extra money. A lot of people have no clue that if you pay off a credit card statement in full on time, you don't have to pay a cent of interest. These are just two examples, but if we teach and drill kids about the consequences of poor financial decisions they could put their money to good use by saving or making smart financial decisions and in turn not needing as much government help because they're spent their whole lives repaying debt.
I didn't read on how early a person could file for SSI with a reduction versus full retirement age and benefits.
the idea of working over 30 years and your check is say $800.00 a month is crazy
The cost of living is such a large gap between areas that it reflects discrimination by companies and govt. offices to only do business in certain areas. That has created major gaps throughout our country.
Get rid of social security disability for those who never worked and for these families with disabled children they are sucking workers dry give us what we work for
Make the gov. pay back all they have taken out of ss.
The govt needs to quit taking or threatening to take from SS and Medicare. Quit borrowing what was paid into SS and we wouldn't have these problems. Reduce welfare programs and monitor them better. Don't give illegals benefits. Put those monies into SS. I know people who pay nothing into the system, work 2 weeks out of the year and get tax refunds btwn 4000-8000. This is wrong!
I am struggling as a retired educational paraprofessional (along with many civil servants). I think that the Government pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Penalty should be dissolved. My retirement is so small and they take out most of my SS benefit due to these cruel penalties. I have to work and I am 78 years of age. I have been in the hospital so I can no longer work at this time. I am in a huge mess. It's very difficult to live on $8,000 a year and pay for insurances.
Social security may be labeled a retirement program, but let's be real...it's a welfare program. I'm a median income earner, about $55,000 a year. I would rather have my 6.2% of income (plus my employer's 6.2%) to invest on my own for retirement. I think this helps the economy immediately and would yield better returns when I hit retirement age. Why should it be the government's duty to force people to save for retirement? That should be a personal choice and if you do well you have a better retirement, or if you don't save you're in trouble. This is called "real life" or taking responsibility for your actions.
Eliminating the cap is so obvious. It's upsetting to see how obvious a solution it is.
Yes. Why can't we open the borders to Mexico and give every Mexican a Social Security number that they have to use if they want to work in the United States. The caveat is that they do not get to receive any of the SS benefits upon their retirement. Basically, it would the fee they pay to work in the U.S. All of that money would go along way, if not take care of, the SS shortfall. To those that would say we would be taking advantage of the workers, I say we would not, because they would have the choice to come over and work, or not. Currently, many illegals that use false papers pay into SS every month knowing they will not receive any of the benefits and they work anyway. The SS benefit is not what is important to them. The money they make during their productive years in the U.S. and take back to Mexico is substantially more than they would make in their own country, so they are able to save for their own retirement. The money they make here goes a long way for them. It just seems like such a win-win situation for the U.S. and Mexico.
Off beat of what we covered. One of the problems is that with Same sex marriage and relationships, this reduces the number of children being born. After all, same sex relationships do not produce off-spring.
some people do not get SS due to other retirement plans hate to see medicare go up as much as older people have more health cares
I think also there is a lot of waste and for people who aren't even Americans. Got rid of that problem and save money that way. As far as the extremely wealthy it does not hurt them to take a hit and pay their fair share of all their income. In the end they'll come out just fine, probably for generations to come.
Reduce waste in the system. Control medical costs for retired persons. Having to pay for supplemental insurance to cover gaps in medicare is ridiculous.
Only people that have paid into social security should be able to receive any benefits from social security.
Why not eliminate it completely? Why should the government hold our hands?
1. It should be illegal for the government to "Borrow" money from Social Security. 2. The idea that those who make more money should get less social security is ridiculous. It should be based on a set percentage regardless of your income. At least for those who make less than 500,000 per year.
why not, reduce benefits for anyone that is greater than 100% of the contribution. All of those who make > $117K, get a lesser benefit. Don't say for those at 75% or greater, but those that are greater than 100%. If my income is $200K per year, I shouldn't need SS at the same need as someone who makes $66K per year.
I was considering two factors as I worked along: -How different the cost of living can be from place to place. -How impossible it is to live in a city on the minimum benefit. -How much we could use early education about money and planning for your own financial future.
Don't let the government use SS fund and not pay it back.
Treat all tax payers equally. Let personal responsibility be the guiding factor. If someone makes the decision to work at a minimum wage job their whole life then let them live with the consequences. No progressive tax!
We have been poverty level for over 15 years. I have never thought that taxing (social security) people who make more money than $100,000 was fair. They earned their money, they get to keep it invest it the way they see fit. Social Security shouldn't be a punishment to financially successful people. You get back what you put into it.
I feel that our Government has been reckless in over spending and borrowing from Social Security. I believe this is the REAL reason there is a short fall.
This survey doesn't address special circumstances like disability
gradually raise the retirement age so it reflect how long people are living ...in your 20 you will retire in your 88 ish .... 30 you will retire in your 85 40 you will retire 83 ect... it has to change people live a lot longer.
They need to pay out accordingly to inflation. I don't own a home i am 50 didn't work in the US for many years. I am scared of retiring I will not be able to live.
Abetter way to help people understand how SS works and is calculated needs to be looked at.
I think there should be greater measures taken to reduce or eliminate fraud and greater penalties for those who don't pay the tax.
Social Security Fund if not pilfered would be solvent. Where did all the money go that I have put in over a 40 year working career. I belive if I had invested that same amount and not touched it there would be no short fall. But Congress raided the Social Security fund for their own projects. The funds should have been in a lock box and not taken out for any other purpose.
It maybe harsh but why should only the top 50% get a reduction it should be across the board you should only get 50% of what you put in. Allowing low income adults get more in benefits is not the answer.
How about making Congress replace the money they've stolen out of the SS Trust Fund out of their own retirement benefits?
It seems to me we are not addressing the whole issue at stake. When this benefit was introduced, government went from governing the people to managing the people's lives. I strongly believe in financial self-reliance as much as possible, and I believe educating the American people on how to save for retirement is a more effective policy than giving or (heaven forbid) increasing how much people are entitled to at retirement age. While I do believe there are instances in which Social Security does some good (such as those who have a disability limiting their ability to work), I think the benefit is too far reaching. It's never a good idea to make something not an investment but a government-sanctioned Ponzi scheme. I am happy to consider Social Security a tax that I will never see again instead of a false hope in a poor investment. I don't like the idea of a polarized government being in charge of my retirement, and it's unwise to allow anyone to be so dependent on such an unstable financial program.
I saw my grandparents struggle for YEARS to live off of their social security income and it just didn't work. There were too many medical/healthcare payments for the income they were given. I don't understand how one of the most vulnerable populations is left in poverty. I don't think it is right, but I don't know how to solve the problem.
I think removing the limit on income being taxed is fair and overdue. People who make less money are currently paying taxes on all their income, those who are making much more should be in a similar position.
People have worked hard and paid these taxes. There should be some retirement for them or else put them totally in charge of their retirement. Take their taxes and put them into a savings that cannot be accessed until retirement. They can then determine how to alot it to last over the remainder of their lives.
Social Security and the Disability system are fundamentally flawed. It should all be needs based and subject to regular review. If you are wealthy beyond a certain point, you shouldn't collect Social Security. If you are able to keep working, you should.
Disabled people like myself who can only work part time and still pay into the system but can not receive benefits because they didn't earn enough to quality. Why should I pay into it for someone else to use? Very disappointed in this policy!!!
Many people get stuck thinking there is only one possible solution so it is good to show there are multiple things which can be done in conjunction not just one big catch-all that will have flaws.
To Congress, senate and anyone else whose job is unfortunately threatened by votes/election: DO YOUR JOB and make the hard choices that we all need to face as US citizens! Grow a conscience and get out of teh back pocket of those who spend money to lobby and control government! Forget the votes and your fear of losing the next election if you move to make necessary changes for the greater good of the nation. This IS NOT about promises and entitlements--they don't exist. We have come to realize this shortfall because you and your predecessors have chosen to avoid making unpopular decisions for decades. An aging populace is NOT A SURPRISE and should have been accounted for all along. Unfortunately this is not a comprehensive survey and it is obvious that government has little intention or will to learn of the real details of the sad state of our social insurance system. This is, after all, about SOCIAL ADEQUACY and it should be taught to all Americans by force through employers, the IRS and the Social Security Administration. None of this should be a surprise to any of us and yet it is for most Americans who will only consider the costs/benefits when they near retirement. This is absolutely SHAMEFUL to think that we care so little of the long term issues and that our social adequacy measures are so incredibly compromised. It is embarrassing to know that Congress has diluted our social security funding by borrowing against to the point that it is of little actua
People that never put money into the system should not be able to receive social security. For example house wife's.
I don't think all these kids who have fried there brains on drugs should be able to get on SSI. I know people who have worked long and have health trouble and can't work and can't get on SSI but drug people can it don't make sense to me
What I don't understand is why was the government allowed to use this money in the first place. It should have never been touch except for those receiving Social Security . I get that the population has increased from the time Social security was first started and that the baby boomers are now reaching retirement age, but in reality most of those baby boomers have not lived long enough to collect any of the money they put into Social Security, and the same for the older generation who contribute. My father for example contribute his whole life to SS and in the end he collect maybe 4 years of it before he passed. My point is the government should never had been allowed to touch that money. My last comment is the government needs to stop referring to Social Security as a Entitlement. Americans and their Employers have paid into this fund for our Retirement and I resent them making it out to be like we want a handout. We earned this money and thought we we were putting it into a fund to be there for our retirement.
I would like to see Social Security ultimately just done away with. In my lifetime, every financial planner we have seen has told us not to count on SS being there for us. I don't expect it for my generation, meaning let's take care of those baby boomers, but then get rid of it by 2040 and start now to wean people off of the idea that it will be there. It has been mis-managed by the government and retirement should be left in the hands of each individual. They will certainly fare better than poverty!
Need to keep ssi the way it is with no cola. Americans need to all have a plan B for retirement such as 401k Ira and the government needs to not put a cap on contributions
This simulation was like masturbation. A fun exercise, but in the end, fruitless. We all know that our "leaders" are going to do nothing, and by the time I'm ready to retire, there will be nothing left of social security for me to use. I would rather take that 6% they steal from me to put in my IRA, so that I can actually use it.
Decreasing the continued lifetimes benefits of those who have held political offices and have them figure it out in retirement as the common citizens of USA must do would relieve a huge part of this debt!
The Social Security shortfall is too important to ignore. I don't want to pay all my life only for there to be nothing left when it's my time to retire.
The whole process seems very complicated. I appreciate that I have been able to learn a little bit more about the shortfall and ways to fix it.
I would get from my 95% to 100% solving the SS shortfall by reducing the benefits to the upper X% of wage earners, where X is less than 25. The smallest percent the simulation offered was 25%.
A proposal to opt out of social security and contribute to individual retirement.
This simulation is great and should be required work for any politician! It is a tough situation for a society to deal with, and I hope our political system is up to the task of making the hard decisions sooner rather than later. One other aspect of Social Security that I think needs to be dealt with is how much the disability system is potentially abused by those who are not really disabled. I don't know how big an impact that has on the budget but it would be interesting to explore
You did not provide enough back-ground or enough options. How many people are receiving benefits who never contributed? How much does each income group contribute and how much does each group get paid out? I Congress still borrowing against SS and not paying it back? What happened to the idiots who screwed up SS investments.
Please take the Social Security earnings out of the general fund. It should be its own entity and not be accessed for anything except paying the benefits due the people that have paid into the system.
The greatest way to eliminate the shortfall is to insist Congress repay all the monies that have been taken from the account for anything other than Social Security payments to qualified recipients.
IS IT TRUE THE GOVERNMENT TOOK S/S FUNDS TO PAY OTHER DEBTS, AN HAVE NOT REPLACE THE MONEY BORROW. ? They should be held responsible, .
there should be a process where individuals can declare that they do not intend to apply for SS bebefits. it is not binding, but this could have some minimal benefits to projected shortfall. Revise Form 1040 to allow individuals to contribute to SS to increase benefits for those 80 and over.
Depending on the side of the family I think of, my father's family lives longer. I think it is very accurate that people don't expect to run out of retirement money when they live past "average life expectancy". One solution that might be considered is a "flexible benefits age" choosing to defer social security until a higher age for a higher monthly benefit. I also am very much opposed to raising the retirement age. The life expectancy of the poor vs the rich is a difference of over a decade now according to a recent study. Raising the retirement age hurts those who need this benefit the most.
I feel that the SS monies should be unusable for any other programs or policies. They should be in a stand alone account and never be used for any thing else.
continue to give the elderly the cola increase to about 2 percent each year. It would help it is very costly and the seniors cannot make it with the economy
Congress 'borrowed' from the Social Security fund. They should repay it!
I believe people should get back what they pay in. I do not believe in "spreading the wealth". That's what charities are for. The thought of the United States moving more and more toward socialism makes me cringe.
I am 49 years old. The benefits that I will receive after contributing for over 25 years would not even cover half of my rent. These numbers are so low, that small percentage changes are irrelevant. They ARE poverty level, and SS can only serve as a supplemental income, but no one will be able to survive with "dignity" on any amount of benefit discussed.
Our government has essentially stolen the funding that was in place for SS and now considers it merely an additional tax. That funding needs to be put back in the reserves and the government needs to spend within its means. Our seniors are not at fault - the government is.
I agree that if the top wealthy people who don't need the benefits should, with no harm to them give/donate their social security to the people who need them more. I am lower middle-class, but I donate to those that have less. We help 3 charities and can't claim them on in-come tax, but someone has to "Trickle-down" and the wealthy are not, nor has it led to better jobs or more pay or more jobs. Republicans need to go to work and help the people, not themselves and interest groups. Term Limits for all Senators and Congress, let them go for votes every three years; if they're good they will win back their job, if they don't want to work for the people...BYE
I feel guilty saying this because I am 62 and I have a vested interest, but believe it or not what I am about to say goes more to my profession public relations. Adopting policies that affect current recipients negatively will inevitably result in considerable backlash and that can stall the political will. People hate taxes and will decry them but that is a much more palatable way to address the issue than reduce benefits. You also have a powerful argument for those younger workers to make raising additional revenue. You want Social Security to be there when you get there. As a higher wage earner (about $150k at this writing) I would much prefer having more of my income subject to the tax than to reduce benefits I have been working along time to get.
2 things: 1) It seems ridiculous to me that the "super rich" (like Warren Buffett) get SS benefits at all when they do not need them! Is there a way to make collecting SS benefits optional, perhaps by giving them a tax credit to donate their earnings back to the pool? 2) Isn't there another option for calculating the COLA increases? The two options presented seemed quite limited... There are so many other real-life indicators to to track...
In regards to SSI and SSDI, I see so many inconsistencies in terms of the people awarded benefits. I believe people receiving SSI should be subject to random drug screening and their benefits be monitored more carefully as to their ability to work. I also see folks who sincerely deserve SSDI benefits who are not able to get them and others, who are perfectly capable of working and receive benefits. I agree with most of disability and SSI benefit needs.
Elderly are loosing dignity due to no raise in social security benefits. Cost of living did not go down for them. Having to resort to other means to make ends meet. Shameful!
Idont understand why so much money goes to military, when the city and the ppl need it so badly just to live.
A lot has changed since Social Security was implemented. I believe workers today have many other options that were not available to the generations when this started. I believe that instead of trying to create equality in a system where there was never equality in the pay system due to people having different jobs. People should get what they paid into the system and no more. We should not have to work to fund a program for others to retire. If there are people that legitimately can't work, yes they deserve a certain degree of benefits. Generations now have options to save and prepare better for retirement. If they don't want to work for their retirement, they should not get anything from Social Security.
It seems as though many ignore that some of the problem with social security has been that other agencies have borrowed from it.
Congress should be made to pay back into Social Security what they borrowed, with interests.
Many Americans work lower paying jobs due to current poverty, lack of education etc.
social security was and is a scared promise to the people that if they saved (contributed) to the common welfare of the elderly and disabled , they too would have that safety net assured to them. This promise CAN be fulfilled by taking the cap off . Looking from the standpoint of small business, which drives the economy and creates most of the jobs, a tax rate increase of .05 % over any period of time should be based on their total tax, in effect an actual tax increase of .025 on non-self-employed persons. the COLA should remain the same as formulated now, if not, as always, the gaming of pricing will be base on the pool of steady assured Soc.Sec. dollars. (ruaway inflation) also as unfair as it seems, increasing longevity will never be a cost effective scheme because , like it or not, production efficiencies will reduce the human input and lower the pool of wages to tax and the increased pressure of the below 65 poverty pool. on last thing that goes unsaid are the benefits paid out of the Social Security trust funds that are non- elderly related. death benefits which has the potential of 5 to 1 payouts on a 12 year average (Spouse and kids that go into higher education) the unmentioned leak in the pool
I was able to finally retire and collect ss. I have worked more than the 30 years. Made average money. I am grateful for this benefit but it is not enough to live on based on how fast the cost of living changes. It is a flawed system but it is what we have and passing bills cannot keep up with the ever changing cost of living and the speed in which in changes. Im my opinion we will never close the gap.
They should have given us a cost of living increase this year. It should not have been based on the lower cost of gas prices. Everything else has increased, which is putting more of a financial struggle on the seniors.
Removing the cap on SSI seems most logical.
Some of the elder retirees were not afforded the same opportunities too generate wealth as their counterparts. It wouldn't hurt to tax the upper class slightly more because they are getting tax benefits throughout their careers.
Social Security benefits and information should be inlcuded in high schoolers' study of basic economics. Also, how many undocumented workers are paying into Social Security, but will never benefit from it?
The government should learn how to run a better business.
How are people paying more into Social Security than is being taken out, while the number of workers increases (while the ratio of working/retired is decreasing, it's still positive on the side of workers), and the funds surplus is decreasing? What's happening to the rest of the money? And how does the current state compare of previous years? Haven't recent changes seen improvements that would continue and increase and aren't shown here? Finally, the idea that I receive less than I put in is terrible. Even the worst of (realistic) retirements plans should have some RoI.
Social Security should be abolished for everyone under the age of 50. Everyone 50 and older will continue to receive benefits as outlined in current law.
People who are making over $75k a year (single) or $100k a year (couple) should not be allowed to collect a monthly stipend from Social Security. They should however be entitled to the other benefits such as disability and such. If their situation changes (loss of pension, etc) then they would be eligible to start collecting. Too many people making a lot of money from pensions and other sources are collecting money they don't need.
The social security fund should be invested. Then the dividends and interest could help offset some of the cost. I have heard that the government has borrowed from social security. If this is so they need to pay it back.
I think there would not be a SS problem if the government paid back all the money it owes to Social Security.
Just as I feel with income taxes, I feel Social Security taxes should be shared by all. This would generate considerable revenue. Also, I like the idea of the COLA being based upon what seniors buy, not the CPI. After all, seniors in most cases can no longer afford most of the items, such as new cars, and other expensive new goods, that wage earners are buying.
Let workers opt out of social security and place those funds in a retirement plan of their choosing. Social Security is a federal theft system that is taking a portion of all income and keeping most of it for other expenses. I could have turned the payments I have made so far at 43 years old into several million dollars. I could then pass it on to my heirs or have a really good retirement that would pay me more than 1200.00 a month.
It's scary to know that by the time I am able to retire that there may be nothing left of SS.
Is there anyway we can gradually just do away with Social Security all together? Make people more responsible for their own retirement, and give them more money each month to live off of and save from.
I have worked from 1971-2009 and have heard that Social Security will run out by the time I collect(which is now.) What is the chance that those working in 2016 will have any return or are they just covering those of us currently in the system?
End social security. continue to pay to those it is owed, but allow the middle group to opt out and discontinue the program
Government should stop borrowing from SS. That's not what it was created for.
I am against the proposal for increasing the payroll tax because the salaries affected are lower middle class. These are the folks who actually spend their income, unlike very wealthy.
expand retirement availability with HSAs and Roth IRAs
All of America's budgetary problems can be solved if we just tax the rich appropriately. It's amazing how simple this is.
Lower income wage earners need to be taken care of more than those w/ other retirement sources. There is too much poverty in the elderly.
When the government elected to borrow money from the Social Security Account, A REPAYMENT PLAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN SET IN PLACE. REPAY THE MONEY THAT WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE ACCOUNT AND MAKE IT SOLVENT.
It's only fair that everyone pay into Social Security regardless of income level, otherwise it is a regressive tax.
Should be eliminated all together and let us invest OUR money privately!
Some of the options that I proposed would have been more acceptable if the phase in periods were longer.
Get the govt's greedy hand out of our social security
The math won't work. Social Security was not meant to be a long-term program, but we can't seem to cut it off. Realistically, I know I won't see a dime of the money I'm putting into Social Security right now, and its fraud by the government that they continue to promise that I will one day get my benefits back. Each person should contribute to their own account for retirement and be assured that they will get back what they put in. We need an entirely new system, and - given the changes in our population - we need to stop trying to create a band-aid for a problem that's just going to get worse and worse. Whoever chose any of those options on the previous page is not thinking about this as a long-term issue.
This was a very hard survey. I had to think about myself, my employees, my friends and my parents' generation. At the end of the day though, we need to balance both the ability to provide our older generation with a dignified retirement while training my and my children's generation to understand that perhaps the government should not be relied on to provide retirement benefits in the future. A good simulation and I hope the customers of this survey really think about the results they receive. It's not just about numbers here - it is about real people, both young and old. And as my mom says, you know it is a good compromise when no one is happy with it!
Social Security is a safety net for those who are less fortunate. It should be enough to give the recipient a good, healthy and dignified life. Those that have had good fortune in their lives should be honored to share their good fortune with those less financially equipped
there are other solutions that were not presented. What about privatization? Administrative bloat in HHS that could be cut? Disability fraud that could be addressed? Higher ages fr eligibility than 70? Reducing overall cost of this behemoth government that would allow more allocation to SS? Incentives to the wealthy for voluntary denial of benefits
First, by the difference of money given, it is already a welfare program. I have read of too many instances of social security system paying for people who died over ten years ago and so on. The disability is in need of investigation of fraud, too many are not really sick. You see it in the paper and in the news all the time. The govt.needs to get its act together.
Regarding the arguments against raising the COLA, I thought it should be pointed out that any retirement plan having any type of COLA adjustment at all is very rare and unique. People who work don't get raises every single year, and retirees should not expect that either.
I would much rather see a privatization of SS. Employers and employees should pay into a private retirement account, like the federal thrift savings or a 401K. These proposed repairs to SS will need to be changed based on demographics again and again, whereas private retirement accounts will solve the problem once and for all.
sampling an appropriate subset of the population is essential for calculating accurate COLAs for the elderly, and can be done with current methods. it would currently increase the shortfall by 13%, but might also decrease it, depending on future changes such as universal healthcare.
Payments for those who go on disability should be more closely monitored. Probably not possible as it would require more investigators, but once somebody is approved for disability, are any follow-up visits done to ensure the person still needs it.
Social Security should be bundled with taxes that cover the full lifespan. The entire package should consider cradle-to-grave expenses. Preschool, public education, provision for the physically and/or mentally handicapped, and education through college levels all affect earning capacity and quality of life. Minimum wage should be tied to economic factors just as SS is. Keeping people out of poverty, whether economic, educational, or medical will improve the SS program as well as society as a whole.
Tell lawmakers Social Security is earned, it is NOT a free entitlement. Quit borrowing from Social Security trust fund or monies to fund other government programs.
Top 10% of earners would be better or some type of regional COLA
I feel that there needs to be some consideration given to the different types of jobs that people hold in reference to retirement age. Office workers can easily retire later, while workers in more physically demanding jobs cannot retire later and may even retire early. I would be fine if office worker retirement age was 70 or even 75 while physical workers was 60 to 65.
My husband worked at a medium income job until he was 68 years old. He began drawing his social security at 65 years and 8 months (full benefits) He put the social security funds into an employer matched 401k and when he retired he had a tidy sum which we rolled into an IRA managed by a broker friend of ours. We live very comfortably on social security ($2600 a month plus minimum withdrawal from the IRA. If people would stay out of debt, work to have healthy habits and manage their funds, they can live well as they age.
Increase minimum for people who have worked 30 years from $760 to $1000.
I fully expect the government will not solve this problem. I also expect that I will get none of my money back from this Ponzi scheme.
Those that contributed to it, should receive it no matter how long they worked. There could be increases in percentages for a new generation of workers rather than the tenured workers. And if the seniors receiving it don't need it, then don't take it!
Social Security is a good idea because not all people are equipped to save for retirement and just don't make the money in their lifetime to do so, but I think that the benefits should be a little more even for all elderly americans that paid into the system
The higher income americans should be paying more into social Security and the payroll tax should be raised on employers.
No benefit cuts or tax increases. Let people be free to choose personal savings, investment and insurance accounts to finance their future retirement benefits, which would give them much higher benefits, with lower rather than higher taxes. As in Chile. Talk to SS actuaries about it. Paul Ryan proposed this
I am totally for increasing the amount of SS taxes that rich people pay, but to make it the top 25% includes me - a retired teacher - and I don't think I should be compared to CEOs who make millions! Raise the taxes on those wall street idiots; perhaps the top 10%. I realize I am "wealthy" compared to someone at the poverty line, but there must be a way to differentiate "wealthy" and "WEALTHY" when it comes to paying taxes!!!!! I also do not think their benefits should go up just because their taxes go up. They do not need social security to help them in their old age; their golden parachutes are enough!!!
One thought I have is that Congress have to do Social Security Benefit like the average American by not receiving a higher benefit amount.
MUTI PENSIONS HELP THOSE WHO HAVE THEM AND GIVE THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN A GOOD LIFE VERSES THOSE WHO WORKED WHERE THERE ARE NO PENSION PLANS
First, Great survey. 2nd, all wage earners should pay into the system not only those under 117,000. What is this, a program only for the poor??? NO. It's for all americans, and therefore all americans should buy into it no matter the salary. Also, it should be NOT FAIR, to make the rich pay more, everyone should pay the same percentage.
I think the way the social security funds have been invested has not had the best return on investment. Let's look at investing better.
The shortfall is very serious and we need to start fixing it now.
If taxes paid into social security are done so with the expectation that you'll get that money back, there is no wiggle room there; all of the money paid in should be returned. If that's no longer the idea, or it's no longer feasible, than that should be made clear and registered American voters should have the option to choose what happens next.
It is easy to make the argument that since Americans are living longer, they should work longer, but just because a senior is living it does not mean that he or she is hardy enough to endure a work schedule that would pay for food and shelter. Also, non-retirement aged Americans have a hard enough time competing in rough economic times. How is a 65 year old supposed to be able to compete for a job that pays well enough to pay the rent. Seniors have to make their modest incomes cover supplemental health care, prescription copays, OTC meds, transportation, clothing, rent, food, etc. I fully expect a greater and greater number of impoverished seniors who will end up relying on state welfare assistance or being taken in to their childrens' homes for care and shelter if the social security changes result in an increased age of eligibility.
The US Government should pay back Social Secuirty what they have borrowed.
Maybe the goverment should pay back what it took from SSA funds.
All Politicians should also pay into Social Security like everyone else and they should stop allocating that money for anything other than what it was originally intended.
The government should run low-cost, but for-profit banking services out of every USPS location and just TOTALLY DESTROY the payday lending industry by providing the same services but non-usurious interest rates. We could take the profit from this and use it to offset the shortfall even further.
If you paid in you should get a benefit and this was not meant to be the sole retirement account for people to hang their hat on. It's to help supplement and be a safety net. People who make over $200,000 a year are more than able to spare a few dollars more for the greater good.
Government workers should be subject to the same taxes and eligible for SS like other workers
A source Neutral approach to net profits in taxation would be more fair. Wage earner bear the exclusive brunt of taxes while non-wage earner are able to escape with lower tax rates. Stock Value fluctuations would not be part of one's net, but sales of such would be. An end of the year calculation would be made for capital gains.
The current system allocating earned Soc Sec payments to workers is corrupt. It should have never been allowed to be deposited in the General Fund to be used by lawmakers. These funds should be in private monetary funds. Also, other funds should be obtained from expenditures allocated to agencies which the President or Congress have found to be wasteful, unnecessary, or counterproductive on the federal level. A 'sunset law' requiring a justification for the existence of an agency, or the expenditures of each department of government, will allow these tens of billions of dollars to be reallocated to cover the costs of Soc Sec or other social programs during a transitional 'phasing out' period. (I have a complete plan for how this will all work, but nobody wants to see it !!!)
It would be very nice if we would get a decent cost of living increase every year.
For many people who reach retirement age, the amount of Social Security they would receive is often much lower than what they thought it would be. Is it true, that the U.S. Congress keeps borrowing from the Social Security fund? If that is true, it should stop. There ought to be more imaginative ways to grow the Social Security fund, so that more people could receive a higher monthly payment.
I believe that no matter what the % of income that's taxed for social security, that it be the same for everyone. That includes the wealthiest of us. If the lowest earners are paying on 100% of their wages, then so should the wealthiest.
We could have our own account for the payroll taxes. You can get payments only after the age you can get SS. SS. Would not be able to take $ out of your account but would collect it as they do now so it would be for you only
The government did not invest SSI funding wisely, which is much of the reason for the shortfall. Private retirement fund investments fared far better. Let people invest mandatorily for themselves instead of SSI tax.
I hope that Congress passes the WEP Windfall for government employees who have all their social security credits and not continue to take 50% of our earned social security, as a penalty because we have a government pension. This is a very unfair law.
I know several people who have came here from other countries, and they have a very extravagant life style and they don't work so the government should not give people from other countries any social security, when they didn't pay in to it. No one who hasn't payed in should get any out. Also funds should never be taken out of social security for any other programs it should always be used for what it was intended.
have the govenment quit using the money for things other than ss
Social security isn't necessarily the main issue its other federal money going to thing sit shouldn't. Want to solve this issue cut back other junk going on in the system. I live in a small town of 1000 people and there are 30 non-profits getting government funding and some may be good but others are just ridiculous. That's only one small issue. What is the average government wage and how much are overhead costs going out etc etc. What I see is the government causing more problems with low and middle class folks just trying to make a living.
How about the legislators STOP robbing S.S. to fund other boon-doggle ideas?
Social Security should be for retirement income and more attention to eliminating payments for other situations. A relative adopted two Grandchildren and received payments for 18 years for them even though the adoption was a legal one.
without pensions Social Security will become much more important to the well being of our country.
Have a standard rate for social security. Like everyone gets $2000/mo no matter how much you pay into it. Wages for those working after retirement age should not be subject to social security tax but considered a supplement to their social security payment.
I think more education beginning in school and through employer programs should be taught to all young adults about planning for retirement. Every opportunity to save money and invest for retirement should be loud and clear.
Put the interest that the government has taken from the social security system back into the system over its entire life. There will be no shortfall and no one gave the government the right to touch our money that was in the social security account
I think that social security should NOT be available to people who are alcoholics or drug addicts as a long term solution. They are not disabled they need rehab not a hand out to continue their addictions at the expense of hard working Americans.
Social security benefits need to increase to the point where all disabled & retirees can enjoy economic security equivalent to an upper middle class standard of living. Funds for this would become available by eliminating all overseas military activities, homeland security, TSA, and the DEA,
None of these "resolutions" will work. They are simply putting off the inevitable. Social Security needs to be phased out and eliminated. Qualified retirees currently on SS, should continue to receive their benefits as promised because they funded it. From this point forward, everyone should be responsible for themselves and their own retirement. Let people keep their money and invest it themselves. If they know there is no SS waiting for them, they will have to stop overspending and buying out of their means. If you don't make it, you don't spend it. How does a couple in their 20s or 30s making less than $100,000 per year afford two $50,000 cars/trucks?? Let small business grow and compete to provide retirement services to our citizens, not government. Get rid of the self-employment double taxation. It's killing our American entrepreneurial spirit, and turning us into paper pushers that don't create anything of value. No one should be entitled to receive free money to support themselves before or after retirement. We should only receive what we paid in plus any interest or dividends that it earned over time with smart investing. If you lose it all, you lose it all. We deserve reality and that means going back to a common sense, non-entitlement country who helps fellow Americans in need but doesn't give them everything for nothing.
I think that while looking at the short fall of social security. It should be based on each separate individually not by a census or survey taken but by real life situations.
I'm on Social Security, and this was very enlightening about the options available to the policy makers. Thank you for these lucid explanations!
THESE PROPOSALS TO SOLVE THE SS SHORTFALL ARE ALL PUT ON THE BACKS OF THE WORKING PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE DIDN'T CAUSE THE SHORTFALL, THE GOVERNMENT DID. IF CONGRESS DIDN'T PILFER THE SS FUNDS THERE WOULDN'T BE A SHORTFALL. FIX THAT PROBLEM! THERE ARE PEOPLE, INCLUDING FOREIGNERS, GETTING SS BENEFITS THAT HAVEN'T PAID INTO THE SYSTEM. TRY CUTTING THEM OFF. SS IS BEING USED FOR TOO MANY PURPOSES OTHER THAN PURELY RETIREMENT. I PERSONALLY KNOW PEOPLE ON SS DISABILITY WHO AREN'T DISABLED. TRY PRIVATIZING SS LIKE CHILE. THEN YOU WILL HAVE A SYSTEM THAT WORKS.
keep the government from shafting the federal retirees and the social security retirees when it comes to the COLA being refused because they need to feather their nests at our cost. The COLA percentages offered now is areal joke. They have
There weren't any questions about Soc. Sec. survival benefits and what that would impact. Also, is this only for US citizens?
When the government took $ from SS to balance the budget years back, it resulted in the shortfall now. Make SS solvent and pay benefits as promised to American's who contributed to SS for their entire working years regardless of their current status.
look at unemployment collectors have them take drug tests
It is a myth that the we have extended the age of man. Due to the demands of the baby boomers to live longer we have moved public and private funds to prolonging life of the individual at the expense education, our infrastructure (roads, bridges etc). From the actual curing of diseases. If polio was present in this day and age we would have wheel chairs that fly and iron lungs with jet packs and wheels.
Yes, SS money was once kept in a separate account. At least some of it has been lumped into the general budget. If Congress would stop using funds to hide bigger deficits elsewhere, SS would not be so short of funds.
Please make sure we get an republican president in office
I think we should look at some of the other benefits such as SSI payments for children born to those over 65. I don't understand why this is even a benefit and have personal knowledge of a situation in which the money was used to buy the 16 year old a car.
I think it is important to think of our social security as a way to balance the huge disparity between the rich and poor in a time when we are most vulnerable in our lives.
Geez, how do you get the average American to understand this without them taking the time to go through this exercise? You won't get them to understand. I suspect they will have opinions about this situation, without understanding fully all the tradeoffs.
I am close to FRA, and I can't believe how much more tired I am as I age. Postponing the start of SS to later than 66 is the most cruel of the proposals listed. The IDEAL way to deal with this is to look at our national priorities and decide that people have a right to support in their old age. This might increase the dreaded 'shortfall', but if we can come up with TRILLIONS of dollars to fight immoral, unjustified, egregious wars, we can certainly fund people's basic living needs.
Consider taxes on people who make excessive incomes, particularly corporate executives who are paid in the multi-millions. Nobody needs a Rolex. But if they want one, they can certainly buy one - after they've paid a proper amount of tax for those who are needy.
Option 1: A law limiting income (around 5-10 million), which would include value of stock, company cars, etc. given by the corporation to the top executives. The law would also make the lowest hourly wage 20% above the poverty level. The Social Security law would not be needed. Option 2: A 90% Federal tax rate above a specific gross income (including stock, cars, etc.)-somewhere around 5-10 million. The added Federal income tax should easily pay for Social Security at any of the options.
Economic policies should foster economic growth. Higher GDP will result in higher revenues.
Rather than decreasing benefits slightly for the top 25% of wage earners, I think only the top 5-10% of wage earners should have decreased benefits, and should have a greater decrease. These earners account for a disproportionately high income, and so this change would have a significant impact.
No changes to those currently receiving benefits.
Eliminate broad surveillance.Get netscoop tools OUT OF THE HANDS of local LEOs. Eliminate security theatre, e.g., TSA for example. Strengthen interagency cooperation. Stop fighting last year's battles. Designate savings 70% increased SSI benefits, 30% governmental graft and inefficiency. We'll live like princes, not retirees.
In the future MONIES borrowed from social security MUST be paid back.
Congress needs to overturn the ruling by the Supreme Court that promised not to make law. Secondly, Social Security should not be used for anything but it's intended purpose. Finally, Congress needs to pay the interest on the money they have borrowed form Social Security over the years.
The simulation assumes certain GDP and Population Demographics growth... if the economy over the period of time were to grow much faster/slower then projected the shortfall would be significantly different. Furthermore if immigration or otherwise population changes (% of young people) was different this would change as well. Therefore the simulation, to cover the entire shortfall, is shortsighted.
can the policy change include in the voter's ballot
The reason Senior medical costs are so high is because we have at least two generations of people who take no responsibility for maintaining good eating habits or taking care of diseases such as diabetes and/or high blood pressure. Costs would be much lower if many just walked every day.
None of the options are ideal, but I am glad I had the opportunity to see what the proposals are and to have input in the options. The subject of Social Security is a growing concern for me as I get older.
My working job(s) was cut short due to a stroke. I did not have my health insurance at that point and so the State takes all the increase(s) that I might receive. However, there is a way so that my grandchildren with be cared for through their job(s) or business(es) in their lifetime. I worked for 34 yrs. before I was forced to leave my wonderful job. I'm still thinking about how I could voluntarily work again. I still have that energy, but I don't relish the disappointments. Thank you for helping Congress come out in likeness in fairness.
Offset pension payments received from other sources against SS payments, so that people are not receiving both a private/public employer pension and SS payments.
something else that would help the shortfall is if the general fund would payback what it hat borrowed
I'm not working. My husband get 1544 a month. Mortgage is just short of 1000 a month. His medicine , bills, food, gas have to come out of 544. How many can live on this? I have applied at every job in town. Even Mc Donalds. no work for 14 months.
Congress should not be allowed to "borrow" money from Social Security without replacing the funds within one (1) fiscal year.
We have a commitment to our elderly to keep them out of poverty
I was told from a very young age that social security was a retirement benefit that was funded by myself and my employer. Already, wealthy people are getting a smaller percentage of their contributions than the less wealthy. It would not be fair to tax all income of the very wealthy. I think sometimes the hard work ethics of most of the very wealthy are overlooked when making policy decisions regarding the funding of social programs. I feel the government already is guilty of redistribution of wealth in our society. A question that I have for you is this: Is our Government guilty of causing some of this Social Security shortfall by "borrowing" funds from this trust, using them for other purposes, and not paying them back? If so, will the government continue to do so after we solve the shortfall?
I don't like social security. I think all the options are mean to the people that earned the money.
I've heard from a lot of different sources that money was "borrowed" from Social Security to fund other parts of the government. It seems there's some controversy over whether that's true or not, but if it is, it should be paid back. Otherwise, I advocate increasing taxes on the top earners to make up the shortfall; they have benefited the most from this country's infrastructure and economic system, so it makes sense for them to pay the system back so others can continue to reap the rewards like they did.
the government is so unfair when it chooses to help a person who is very disabled versus a person who is slightly disabled. I been on disability for many years I want to work but need protection from the world cause I too scared to not. Yet those who are more brain damaged than me have option to go work and get help needed. I do not see why the policy makers do not realize this in USA If they do they be saving so much more money in social security
people need to understand that they need to invest in their own retirement beyond social security. government should have some degree of ownership teaching/encouraging citizens to build their own retirement funds. possible tax break incentives. the people who work hard to save should get some degree more than those who choose not to. teachers and people who help others also deserve some added relief.
do members of congress pay into social security?
Social Security Should only be for US Citizens Only- Not Illegals
A huge amount of SSA dollars go to health-care=related items. If there were someway to manage to halt increasing medical costs to citizens who are no longer gainfully employed, I think that would be admirable.
I was disappointed to see there wasn't an option for capping benefits received. If someone pays into the system, they should be entitled to receive back what they put in. Unless they have a physical disability or other similar such circumstance, the amount of benefits they receive should never eclipse what they put into the system. This has been on everyone's radar long enough that people workers for the last 20 years should've been making plans outside of social security for financing their retirement. The government has already proven they are not capable of running a retirement fund. It's time to turn that back over to the private sector and let social security help those who truly cannot help themselves.
I highly recommend eliminating the CAP and making it a flat tax, equally shared between employer and employee
I don't like welfare people making more than the working people. Their are to many that don't work and get more than what workers have. They should have requirements to look for work or be taken off Welfare. These people could support Social Security.
The age of benefits needs to be raised. We need to celebrate the fact that the usa has solved many health problems that people would have died from 85 years ago. Number one diabetes was a death sentence 100 years ago. There was no insulin and peopled died within 9-12 months from their diagnosis They now reach retirement age. 10percent of our population is diabetic. Coranary heart disease use to claim a lot of people that now are able to collect social security. blood pressure control also allows people to obtain benefits from social security. modern medicine has done a wonderful job of letting people live healthier and longer. Let's celbrate what a great things medicine has done and get on with raising the age for social security benefits and therefore solve the cost problems.
Social Security is not an 'entitlement'. We pay in all of our working lives as an Insurance Policy for retirement. The funds that workers pay in should always be kept in a separate account and not used for anything else (and not gambled on the stock market). I think raising the cap is a fair thing to do. I do not think any benefits should be reduced - they should be increased. Elderly who rely on SS should not live in poverty. Our government needs to make these changes now. I fully expect to get a decent, living benefit when I retire.
Cost of healthcare is hugely impactful, particularly for elderly populations. What we choose to do about social security is directly tied to how we choose to deal with (or ignore) the rising costs of healthcare. For me, it is hard to think about social security and cost of healthcare for the elderly separately - this is the "set of goods" purchased by elderly people that we should be appropriately cost adjusting for.
I think anyone making over 100,000 a year should be the ones paying more towards Social Security. We need to take care of the people we promised to take care of most importantly those who cannot take care of themselves anymore.
With medicare include dental insurance. thanks
I don't like the wording in much of the proposals. While some had great information it was offset by a contradicting sentence. In order to solve the issue of Social Security, is to not split it in half. It is the money people are putting aside for their retirement and it should all be their's. The government needs to stop with scare tactics as it is a Constitutional obligation for the government to supply a just and fair retirement and life for the residents. Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. All this shortfall bullshit, is non-sense and is not factually true. It is a fear-mongering tactic to get people to obey to policies that either cut taxes or raises taxes or takes the money from the people. We the people made America, and now it seems like we no longer can live inside America.
I do not feel we should be taxed on our S S benefits.
Tell the government to not spend social security monies for other programs. Stop sending monies to other countries. Stop spending monies on unwanted programs, stop paying for presidents vacations,
Those persons making over $400,000 per year should not receive social security...and yes, they should pay the payroll tax in order to help fund the system.
Needed more detailed info on raising the retirement age to make an informed decision on that.
When people have a small business & reside in that same building; Those persons should be able to change the status of the building without loosing value of that building.
Why do the poor get higher benefits? Everyone should get the same percentage rates.
There is so much controversy with Social Security. I sure hope we can come up with a better solution for our future.
Make upper income earners pay more according to their income.
Social Security benefits should NOT be used for disabilities for citizens below the age of 50.
have congress replace the money they took from the program
It is good to keep changes going over a longer period of time so that we don't get stuck like we have since 1986.
Seniors are paying a lot for health care. If we had a health care system, the elderly would not spend so much of their benefits medical.
Social Security is a great program to help people in their older years. However the danger is when people become too dependent on government programs. We need to keep this program in place, while at the same time remember that this is an extra benefit of being an American. There is nothing stating anywhere that people deserve this program. People seem to be forgetting there are many countries that do not have a program like this for their elderly, and thus need to appreciate what we have here and be more grateful in my opinion.
Thanks for the breakdown of how Social Security works; I understand it now better than I ever did before. I found myself very lost in the discussion about COLA, however.
COLA's should not exceed the annual interest rates then you receive on U.S. Savings Bonds
yes ....we the people demand that the money taken out of social security by politicians for uses other thn they were ment be repaid with intrest....this money is ours not the govenments
If the government can't handle my money then give it back to me and I will take care of my retirement. Also, how can people get money for doing nothing. We waste so much money and I think we are very tired of that. And in the end, we get penalized for those that are not working. This is not our fault, look to Washington and see what they are doing with our money. And maybe we she cut their retirement funds instead of ours since we are paying that for them from what we earn!
I believe that money from the Social Security fund have been used to fund other programs more than once in the last 50 years. If this is true would we still be talking about a shortfall or would there be enough in the fund to take care of the retirees. If this is true why is it not one of the solutions presented in this survey??
Yes I believe that anyone who has paid into the system to receive full benefits of those who we have paid for any attempt to destroy Social Security should immediately eliminate any payments into Social Security of any workers that are going to be future retirees. I do not believe that all these years I paid 6% of my income that I should received anything less than the oldest person receiving Social Security benefits right now.
The COLAs as they are now are not keeping rate with inflation. I am on SS as is my husband. We are blessed with retirement income as well, from our employers. Still, we can no longer afford trips, and can barely afford to visit our out of state relatives. We used to eat out once or twice a week and that is more like once or twice a month! And many months we run out of money before the check comes and have to borrow from relatives so we have food to eat.
Everyone has a responsibility to plan for the future, including young people. Other options must continue to be explored for any system that is not sustainable. The middle class has suffered disproportionately.
Are capital gains taxed for Social Security the same as wages are?
I am on SS and it is a SLAP IN THE FACE when no COLA increase is given because the PRESIDENT & CONGRESS & THE OFFICIALS IN THE GOVERNMENT ARE STEALING $$$ daily from the SS coffers !!!!!!!!! PLUS you did NOT take into account all of the babies that have been aborted, thus making the work force smaller ... you have blamed it on older citizens !! PLUS it is NOT LEGAL for those who crossed our borders ILLEGALLY to be collecting ANY KIND OF SS FOR ANYTHING, PLUS THE OTHER BENEFITS LIKE FREE MEDICAL, FREE HOUSING, FREE FOOD, ETC., that they continue to receive just because they INVADED THIS COUNTRY !!!!!!!!!!!!
Educate folks on providing investment possibilities to rely on after retirement. Stop borrowing from soc Sec for other areas...Govt should stop using tax payers money for Dumb Stuff. cease devaluating areas of tax payer investments. Govt employees MUST contribute to Soc Sec. But cease to retire on exorbitant payouts....Like Retired Senators, Reps and Presidents!
yeah america is fucked i the long haul and all of us are going to have to take a big ol bite of the shit sandwich
Since Investing Produces Revenue(s), I Believe We The People Should Be "Allowed" to Invest Our SS Taxes, CONSERVATIVELY, IN The Stock Market!! The Federal Government Does NOT Understand Making Money Work, The Fed SQUANDERS BILLIONS, Monthly!!!
I believe that the number 1 problem is Social Security Disability benefits. 1.) Massive fraud in people filing false claims. 2.) Under the present disability formula the monthly check is based on if the worker would have worked to the age of 65 or 66. It should be reduced to reflect the age 62. To compound the problem, when a person turns 65 or 66 they stay with the same higher monthly checks. The good worker who did not use the disability program has a smaller check than the early out disability worker. It makes no sense.
place all government works (elected officials) on social security. cancel federal departments of engery, education and some others. Reduce the amount US gives to other countries. This is just a few of what I call government waste.
I would like to know if Social Security was ever promised to be a person's complete retirement plan or just meant to supplement their retirement.
Congress needs to stop using social security funds for other endeavors also I don't believe they should be able to run for more then 2 terms because it's a good old boy club. Their benefits are outrageous some of that monies could be going towards SS.
No cap on income and max benefits on $600000+ Income per year
why don't they raise the age that you can first collect from 62 to 63. People at this age are still capable f earning wages. Would like to see the numbers on how this would affect the shortfall.
This should be a simple accounting problem. And we should not be raiding the fund every time we need a quick economic fix. We wouldn't be in this mess if we would do that, then once we have bankrolled our current lifetime we can re-adjust to maintain.
people are willing to pay more to have retirement pay that they know will be there ....but if it gets to have a surplus ...keep politicians hands off of it and not steal from it
Allow us to put a portion of of SS in our 401k plan knowing that it would reduce our retirement benefits.
Considering the fact that not much if anything has been done since 1986, action to deal with shortfall is obvious and should be dealt with in a timely matter. Considering the current political climate, responsibleaction is extremely unlikely.
Wealthy should pay their fair share. Social Security benefits should NOT be used for things llike ANGER MANAGEMENT or other disabilities that are too easy to get (bad back--then they are cutting wood, playing basketball, etc.).
there needs to be more focus on people earning more than 100K paying more into social security. This group has more than enough investments to cover their expenses. People earning 60K and less per year should not have to pay additional taxes, they are barely making ends meet.
It is sad to think of the people who will have to work longer if the retirement age is raised. Especially those who work at jobs that are hard on the body. They count the days to retirement to enjoy life. Unfortunately, some die before they can retire and enjoy some free time.
I would like to see an increase in benefits for those who are disabled.
Social Security has lost the goal it was originally designed to reach. It has become an avenue for more welfare spending by career politicians. Social Security has become a method of power acquisition by career politicians. Start financing SS by a reduction of income taxes which are progressive. For an example, at the threshold where income tax goes from 15% to 25%, (a 50% increase), increase the 6.2% payroll tax to 9% while decreasing the income tax step to 22%.
The government should pay back all of their previous IOU's in order to recover this shortfall. Would would not be in this situation if the government had not kept borrowing the Social Security surplus.
Migrants who enter the country should have to pay social security taxes the same as anyone else.
SS was supposed to be a supplement. People should not expect to get enough to pay for everything.
I am very concerned about fraud - people claiming disability who really can work. I really think more needs to be done to insure only those who are truly disabled receive benefits.
Legislators need to address the Social Security Disability (SSDI) portion of Social Security and the for profit "industry" that has been created to assist people in obtaining SSDI. Those truly disabled must wait longer periods of time to qualify to receive their justifiable benefits due to the overload of cases being filed by people who are not long-term disabled who are working with attorneys and others who take significant percentages of the determination benefit for profit.
The government took money from sc way don't they pay it back that would solve a lot of the problem.
We have all heard the Congress has raided the Trust Fund many times. How about requiring Congress to repay what they have taken? If we lift the cap on earnings, how about exempting income on the low end so low income workers have more disposable income.
IF you read the GAO report, you will see that they admitted the shortfall is due to congress always borrowing from the fund. Congress should be shackled in this regard, the fund was NOT made for them to borrow against. Increasing corporate taxes for corporations that find loopholes to fail paying would also help immensely. It is called using the original system as intended.

O_Q45B. If you have any comments about the policymaking simulation itself-such as ideas about how it might be improved-we would like to hear those as well. (OPEN END)
CO2 is not a pollutant and is not causing global warming.
If people need benefits it to survive please consider the last part of this survey and take into account the percentage of the problem that will be resolved.
This is the 2nd survey I've completed and like the first, you neglected to provide an option of managing the existing funds properly.
I think an ideal situation would be that the structure of the government remains the same, but is totally visible and honest. Like that would ever happen!
Make a law to return the monies taken out and get the interest back to Soc Sec. Where it originally would be. Sincerely, A concerned citizen.
No COLA increase in the past 7 years - thanks to Obama!!!
It was very thought-provoking. I enjoyed participating in this one!
I already stated it as well as I could in the survey.
I would like to see these simulations record input along the way. Many of these questions seemed very biased and did not attack the root of the Social Security issue. Overspending by our government officials and Welfare. In typical fashion the politicians throw out solutions, such as, reduce our military and homeland security or raise taxes versus attacking real issues like pet projects and a welfare society that drain us at every turn.
THere was a sentence that didn't make sense before 25% so I didn't answer. It seemed to be asking if I'd read or heard any information on the topic but I wasn't sure.
The simulation needs more options. Allow the participant to set percentages themselves.
Love participating in these. I just wish our elected officials would balance the budget. It could be done.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate. I would appreciate being able to have a wider range of options to choose from rather than what is currently determined to be "the options ".
The members of government, including the 3 branches of government, should be apart of the same system the other American citizens are part of. There should not be umbrellas for anyone. Private enterprises could offer different choices but government positions should not be given special consideration.
Need a place to put in our on I put on the actual page that we are answering questions
It was a pretty good survey. I especially liked the final summary page. I found I was able to compromise a little to conquer the shortfall, but I still think government has robbed citizens of their money over the years and should be required to repay it.
Present ALL the options. I even went to the extra ideas to see if they would say something like "Only people who paid in should get it.". I would have voted for that one.
People need to become more responsible and DON'T place this incredible burden of "Social Security" on the young of this country!!!!
Those of us who have paid in for years see it going to people that contributed nothing does not set well with us.
I found the simulation to be quite informative and helpful. I do not recommend any changes.
STOP! all this DISABILITY FRAUD that is costing us BILLIONS,"my eyebrow hurts, my left earlobe is to big,I'm S.M.I. so I'll get a weed card and the tax payers will pay for it, I can't work so I'm going on DISABILITY", what kind of SHIT is THIS? THIS HAS TO STOP!!!!!!!
I saw no possible way to reflect my own opinion in many, possibly most, of the Q and As.
Eliminating the cap is the number one policy change I would endorse.
I enjoyed reading all this and taking this survey.
Lawmakers should be forced to join SS and remove themselves from their lawmaker intitlements.
Social security is ONLY to help retired citizens!!!
Very through. Don't suggest any changes.
Would have like more opportunity to express personal reasons for answers.
Over the years the Social Security Trust Fund has been raided by Congress to support and pay for other programs. It is time for that money to be paid back to the Fund rather than putting this shortfall on the backs of the people.
To many people who have never paid into the system receive social security. Many immigrants know how to work the system and receive social security soon after entering the country. Stop giving them benefits until they earn them.
Wide ranging discussion among wise people !!!!!
Definitely base on what elderly spend their goods. They don't buy gas, though the price went down and they didn't get an increase in wages. Wrong.
Chained CPI hurts those currently elderly, who had no reason to worry about extra planning for this stage and will be now caught in a bind. In this sim, I felt like I had to choose chained CPI only because it was a better option that letting the shortfall get so big that more people will eventually get no benefits at all. I chose the highest level of gradual postponement of benefit age because it allows a new generation time to plan ahead for fewer benefites. A better option than using COLA to tax (or to benefit) the current elderly would be to keep our promises to those currently elderly ( no change in COLA), while transitioning current working generations into a private savings state of mind. With plenty of advanced notice, we should phase down Social Security until it's a barebones program that uses a flat business tax or VAT to care only for those who have no other options. Offer more libertarian options please?
There are flaws in some of these scenarios, as cost of living. I feel that it should be based on needs rather than wants. And I feel Dave Ramsey's course should be required in school curriculum.
The SS disability program is full of fraud.
This needs to make the rounds on Facebook.
Offer a solution that does not involve the Federal Government
a portion of the monies taken in social security taxes be placed into investment vehicles such as a 401k, so that these monies could grow without outside interference and would improve the amount of money available to each person.
I thought the information was well presented.
Excellent presentation. It clarified the challenges to making the system solvent.
It was actually better than I expected it to be and proof that we are dealing with a solvable problem. Thank you.
Found it enjoyable and thought provoking. Would love to have a way to save my answers and see the results of the survey.
Include ALL income and means test recipients. Those with govt pensions should be a special class.
The cap should have been removed years ago and congress should keep their hands out of the social security "cookie jar".
There should be a public forum for discussion and input by local legislators.
It seems as though eliminating the cap on SS would solve the problem. If the top 1% pay tax on all their income it would add a huge chunk to the pot. And being that the1% is such a small number of people, how much can they draw before it runs out? What would the monthly benefit be for someone who makes $20M annually?
I liked it and would love to participate in any survey.
How about a cap on whether a millionaire needs to drqw his Social Security or whether it could be used as a tax write off or something if the wealthy do not use it.
COLA should be applied in the reverse order from above, larger cola for low income after 30 years and lower for higher income with a cap on COLA of 4% regardless of COL with the ability to add 1% for really low income folks.
The portion of funds used for disability payments for SSI should be reviewed also
Getting rid of the payroll cap seems the fairest way to deal with the gap. People who put in more should get more back, but they should put in more when they're earning more too. The wealthiest can afford to pay more, without this hurting them.
The disables seniors should have first considerations on cost of living raises and they should have the biggest increases in income increases!
Reduce spending and do no borrow from the Social Secirity lock box which is empty
The top 1 % should collect the least amount and pay into it more ,
Everyone that works..no matter in what field should pay into social security...that alone...would increase and deminish the shortfall.
Loved this process - and the resulting solution. Wish you could wave a wand and make it happen according to my specs! Can you do the same with the all the other budgets (DOJ, DOD, DOE, Agriculture, NIH)? That would be change we all need and deserve!
Unfortunately the policy makers in this country don't live the way so many elderly people do... I would like to see a congressman or senator try it for just one year. A month would not be long enough to feel the desperation.
Taxpayers that paid into the system should get all their money back plus interest in one lump sum and rolled into an IRA of the taxpayers choice at the time of retirement. Taxpayers over 80 should be exempted from paying any and all taxes,i.e. property taxes, state income taxes, sales taxes, etc and there would be no need to increase benefits for them.
It's absurd that voters keep reelecting representatives that avoid the biggest problems such as defense glut and social security. Additionally, Gerrymandering basically ensures that compromise in Congress is a weakness instead of a virtue. This won't get better until voters start punishing bad behavior.
If you intends the policy simulation aspect of the survey to be the final 50% of the entire survey, you should add more options such as sliding scales for the percentages and ages.
It should be there so that people won't have to live in poverty when they become old.
Did you know that elderly people are killing themselves so as not to be a burden to their families (if they even have any)? Yes we are living longer but cannot afford to!!
WE have a congress that is not capable of make any desision that would halp anyone on a fixed income. We need to be very careful in the next election who we vote for.
I believe social security is very important for our country, the federal government continues to hand money out to many people who are not citizens and who abuse other services. Trying to prevent fraud and abuse could possibly save funds which could be diverted to SSI lowering the short fall?
I want more choices. Hobsons choice is a path to bad policy.
The last suggestion box is the only entry that means anything. And it won't be reported because it is qualitative, not quantitative. The rest of the survey is just trying to railroad us into sponsored solutions and excuses all built on the presumption that social security is an immortal blessing. In reality it is a blight on wealth creation and accumulation which specializes in victimizing the working class and needs to be entirely expunged.
Statistics of responses would be like a reward for participating in the survey.
I hope they are able to work out a solution. There are many people coming upon retirement.
congress should be required to have the heath benefits that most americans have now. congress members should not be able to accept SS and gov pension.
If we cut some benefits of having to pay full salaries for past presidents and VP that would make a huge difference. No other job gives full benefits for only working 4 years
Higher taxes on the rich would solve the problem
Deducting a certain percentage like a 401 K
If we had competent leaders who would eliminate government fraud, waste and corruption we would have plenty of money left over to take care of the Social Security shortfall.
Stop the other government entities from absconding with S.S funds. try to make COLA a real statistic again, instead of another joke that the middle class ignores. Yes, hit the filthy rich, but bring back money from overseas, and get our young workers REAL JOBs, not just part time 28 hour low paying ones. Everything in your survey suggests that the middle class should shoulder the burden again, and without the middle class, the USA can't be strong
I don't think other forms of retirement don't work as well for lower income families...rather than 401k, roth ira etc. the think most people should be vested in the SS system, it is the most fair and easy for lower income families to manage...
No comment I disagree about a lot of things all in all I think people are all being treated unfairly
I would in health care and I the money is going out on individuals who have never worked or paid into the system. Clean up the broken wheel, transitions those receiving Social Security for bogus mental health issues with only the use of Obama Care, not money they have paid into. There are more people getting SSI checks claiming mental illness when in fact it is drug use. The whole system is broken and need to be reviewed and people held accountable. Everyone's first response is to tax those who work, and those who have higher earnings. All of these options don't fix what is broken. Which is elected Presidents using the Social Security has their own investment account to gather more money which they will never have enough of because it isn't about fixing the situation.
This country spends way too much on defense spending & corporate bailouts. The private sector pays executives far more than they are worth even when they fail. Obviously I think the money for Social Security (& other programs) is there, but it is in the wrong places.
DO NOT LET OUR GOV. USE SS MONEY FOR OTHER WASTEFULL USES
Charge everyone a set tax at 20% of their wages! the employer the same! this will get us out of the rut!
Most well crafted survey I've ever participated in. The language and explanations are very clear. Kudos!!
Yes, lowering taxes will generate more business which will generate more revenue. Lowering corporate taxes will bring more corporatations to do business in America which will generate more revenue. We need pro business policies to increase revenues.
I still like the idea of allowing persons who have SS accounts the option of self directed investment of the benefits in a menu of pre-selected stocks and other investment instruments.
if the economy improves by lowering the taxes and less regulation more people will work and can contribute and the shortfall will decrease!
It was pretty good. I'm happy that I was able to fix even 78% of the shortfall, because that's still 78% better than our current policies.
Rewarding those who have worked for the society by helping them when they can no longer work should be a central principle of our country. Increasing the entire benefit base by 10% would mitigate the fact that today's current benefits are barely enough to get by for the lower 50% of earners.
Employers should be made to pay a higher percentage of their share if they do not offer a private pension plan.
None of the options allow for a gradual move to eliminate social security entirely, while allowing and encouraging people to invest more for their own retirement.
I would like to see an emphasis on the original aim of SS by Roosevelt to make sure people are not left in bread lines simply because they grew old.
A major problem with SSI are the increases amongst all recipients. Per state medical is increased and deducted. If you give them an increase in COLAs the management landlords increase rents on the elderly knowing that they are receiving an increase. Cost of food keeps going up. Roll back pricing to say 1990 for the Nation people will spend stimulating the economy now raise sales taxes all ends up at a Federal level controller covering SSI nationally. Cap the private medical insurance coverage in being the same standard cost for the elderly.
cut down the number of choices on each subject
They should have little jobs for seniors that want to do things,and let them make extra money.
This is a fairly good way to get average people to explore and think about the issues.
Very good, perhaps in High School along with Career Education their is a need to prepare students for future retirement planning finance etc.
Well done - up to a point. Further info on the COLA - i.e. the background about how the Basis is established - - i.e. 'what peeps actually purchase', vs. what are NECESSITIES of life - was not defined.
Many people do not have an opinion on these problems. An additional box with the title "no opinion" should be included in the questions asked.
Less talk and more action by Congress. They do not get paid unless they are able to show some type of accomplishment for their time other than talking and arguing.
Congress need to step up to the plate and solve this once and for all.
You gave an excellent presentation. My main worry was that the survey is long, and if I got interrupted you never told me there would be a checkpoint feature which I could come back to later.
I'd like to see programs implemented that would involve no fiscal costs, e.g., exchange of services and goods that promote healthy living choices. examples of this would be community gardens, clean-up projects to utilize neglected public real estate. More interactive places to meet other neighbors; more social exchange on a grass roots level that is non-political. Increased venues for music, art and writing. e.g., The Moth
Stop giving the monies to people who do not put into it or deserve it! American workers ONLY!!
Allow more flexibility in adjusting the percentages of tax rates, benefits, etc.
I am a self employed US born citizen as is my husband and our tax burden is growing exponentially. It is becoming harder for us to save for our retirement and provide for our three kids. It pains me to think that I might need to depend on social security as I was raised to save and plan for my own retirement. However, due to government regulations and obamacare, we are getting killed in taxes! Something needs to be done as our faith in elected officials has dropped to an all time low during this presidency. We are working harder and harder and make decent money however due to where we live and the high tax burden placed especially on the self employed we may lose our home as well as our savings that we have managed to accumulate over the years due to less spending and more saving. However, the tax burden is so high that we have had to use some of our retirement savings just to get by. Much of this is due to the LARGE cost in our health care as we were forced onto the California obamacare health care and are now paying more than we were before. It is absolutely ridiculous. So disappointed in the government.
Very interesting exercise. Forcing choices to solve a problem is beneficial to all.
All survey questions should include the option for custom answers or "none of the above" because often the choices are contrived to force a desired outcome.
I feel that the manner in which the survey played out and summed up the choices I felt were the best course of action as an overview made the experience even more powerful.
Stop giving our money to those here illegally and to those that have not contributed! Also I don't trust government figures or government period. If the fund was a separate fund as it once was and diversified as to which banks held the money even at 2% there would be no reason that the recipients could not receive around $3300.00 per month.
we should be able to write in comments, because I do no agree with all the statements and not enough information is giving to us on who receives benefits and who does not
Get the government back to what the constitution provides for it to do. That doesn't include social security.
allow people to grow their own retirement and eliminate this one branch of government debt.
Increase the amount a housewife receives because sometimes it is a much harder work than those who have a job.
The option of simply allowing the shortfall to occur should be included upfront. Your decision to hide it behind a separate menu is dishonest, and frankly calls into question the accuracy of the results of this survey.
Both Bernie and Hillary would increase the amount of Soc. Security. IMO, Hillary is very strong and determined to reach her long sought after goal. Bernie is extremely sincere. Some things are better accomplished by a group of professionally trained people rather than by the rugged individual. I totally buy into the proven theory about that I personally cannot do things I formally was able to do because I cannot afford it. Bill Clinton had weak times where he futilely repealed Glass-Steagull Act in one more tried political attempt to appease the Republicans. He should have listened to Brooksly Born, not Bob Reubin & Larry Somers.
This was a really interesting simulation. I liked it.
Billionaires should not receive any Social Security benefits upon the age of retirement.
Policy should be set by the populace and not the cronies in the government who look out for their own good.
I would have liked to be able to go back to the page with the final proposals to make changes. I didn't know once I went forward there were no more changes and I would not be able to go back.
It was a little slow however informative and well put together
make all the high wage earners pay social security taxes over the 117,000
Everyone should get their entitled benifits.
This has been a great awareness tool for me.
a real eye opener. I enjoyed going through the process, and finding out more than I knew before about the social security system. ThankYou
Tell the government to live as we do, and stop overspending.
Of course taxes and age will be increased to cover up the graft created by the Congress. Shame.
This was interesting and thank you for letting me participate.
This is based on assumptions that are a lie.
There should have been more options to stick it to the wealthy investor class by paying more into the tax pool.
Introduce the option to reduce, across the board, ALL SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRMS to help reduce the SS shortfall since WE HAVE ALREADY PAID INTO THE SYSTEM.
gov should pay back all money taken for non ss benefits
Just stop all the fighting and get something done. Consider the people at the bottom of the barrel. Not everyone has brains, good educations, rich parents or even the know-how or ambition to get ahead in life. We just find a job, show up for work and do our best. Most of my life, I've had to get by on $25,000 a year or less. I'm sure people making $100,000 can get by paying a bit more in taxes, or whatever it takes to balance things out. And I'd like to stop hearing that I am getting an "entitlement". I've been paying into this system for 45 years, whether I wanted to or not.
Tax everyone! No one should be exempt. Illegals should NOT be allowed any welfare benefits.
I would like to see an inclusion of a policy that discourages having more children, like mentioned above. This should be a tax on every third or more child a person claims on income taxes and these tax monies should go to the social security fund. This type of policy would encourage replacement rate population (zero growth) and end the ponzi scheme of social security that many legislators want by encouraging young people to have more children so there are more workers paying into social security to support the retiring baby boomers. A growth in population to support the boomers retiring would mean needing continual population growth to support each previous year's growth in population.
Several "argument" statements were poorly-worded and stereotypical, and "unconvincing" based on the language alone.
Only people who have a true disability should receive ssi.
The government are constantly wanting to lower the amount that social security pays. I believe they should never lower social security without lowering ALL government employees the same amount. Social security recipients should receive the same cost of living raise that government employees receive.
the senators etc are more interested in filling their pockets with money the big businesses the makers of drugs that we need are crooked and buy the government BIG businesses own the white house and tell the senators when to do this and do that as they poke money in our senators etc pockets behind closed doors. Big business runs the united states. too bad we could get things done if we could get away from taking secret money from Big businesses. they are running the united states TOO BAD
Yes offer more options to change the entire social security system. let the people save this money in their own accounts with them making their own decisions with their money. Since this isn't or wasn't designed to be a welfare system why is it changing to one today?
The corporate welfare has to stop, wall street has to be held accountable, and the big banks have to be held accountable, these groups keep stealing from our working poor. It's a sad day for the country of our stature, that you can not make interest on you money so you are forced to put it into a retirement vehicle that the financial industries,controls and uses your to make themselves rich. And your return is peanuts if you even get one and they don't loose it all.
The government should not be able to touch social security except to put money into it and not take it out for any reason.
The sim itself worked fine. I like being able to go back and forth, and I didn't feel artificially limited by the app. However, I found myself frustrated by the limitations inherent in the consensus assumption about the shortfall, and in the presumption that it would result in nonpayment of a portion of Social Security benefits (a result that is not a given). (See my comment about Social Security in general.) But I get that this simulation has to have parameters, and you're trying to react to where the conversation is right now. A nation without imagination...
I think benefits shoul be lowered for people who have significant other income coming in from other sources
Congress has to stop the bickering and compromise to get this done, the sooner the better for all.
It should be fair to everyone, and the government should consider that people need money to live on and pay their bills and daily expenses. Increasing taxes, unfortunately, is the first thing politicians try to do to "solve" problems. Well, it doesn't solve our problems. It only causes more for us, the people....
I would like the Government to replace all the monies they took from the Social Security fund many years ago.. Replace the fund over a period of years until all monies are paid back into it !!!!
some estimate of the amount of time needed to complete the survey would be helpful as to when one chooses to complete it, like later in the evening, not when just checking email for more urgent issues.
Keep the money for ONLY those who have paid into it. It is not a welfare program.
See above mathematical conundrum. The other issue is that there are multiple drivers of WHO gets SS and when.
I found this simulation very informative and helpful in understanding Social Security benefits.
Good exercise. These should be required to cast votes in an election to understand who you are voting for and how they represent your views
(1) Increase annually by 1% the fica % on incomes of those persons earning extremely high incomes, e.g., start at $500,000/year and incease every year by $100,000. (2) Eliminate benefits to any person whose earnings from any and all sources are over $500,000/year. MASSIVE amounts of wealth over the past several years have been transferred from the poor & middle classes into the hands of the very wealthy, and it's more than past time for much of this money to start the much-predicted "trickle down" back to the general public.
Why doesn't the govt keep the money separate from the general fund like they did before the democrats and Johnson took the money in the 60s for the general fund. We wouldn't be talking about a shortfall if they left it alone to begin with.
Everyone should do their fair share in paying social security. I believe the wealthy should be willing to pay SS on all their income not capped at all. Reward people who are disciplined to save for retirement by increasing their SS. It doesn't seem fair that some people live wrecked lives financially then depends on our Uncle to provide everything for them. ie, cell phones, food voucher, income, housing etc when they never worked.
it is important to remember people who make less during their working career tend to live within their means.
This was the best primer on social security and related challenges I've seen yet. I'd much rather take the simulation than read an article because it was engaging.
There is much fraud in the Social Security being paid to students who qualify under the original 94 - 142.
Have a comment box on the bottom of each page
Yea! Stop giving away our benefits to illegals. Most of them haven't contributed anything to the system WE paid for!
There were a lot of good ideas. Please pass the findings on. Hopefully this will make a difference.
Let the people vote, not politicians who are detached from the realities of day to day life
Very straight-forward and well explained survey.
I believe that it would be a good idea to raise the retirement age and then raise the age to receive social security.
Please let me know how it is possible to have any intelligent solution to this problem when many of the candidates are in the middle of a fraternity food fight and truth and reality are alarmingly absent. I hope that there are millions who want to know this.
Great simulation, it make you think of the different ideas that affect SSI
One needs to understand the vocabulary used and the wording; some would not be able to understand all of this. Perhaps should be required as part of public education (as civics courses or finance courses).
There are other economic factors that affect SS contributions (taxes) not considered such as: actual unemployment, not just those drawing LIMITED benefits; cost of Congress and Federal Emplyee retirements systems; loss of large companies moving to other countries reducing SS contributions and jobs; etc.
I only wonder what would happen if there were no Social Security?
MY husband died at age sixty seven so was not on S.S. very long from age sixty to age sixty seven. He was a Navy Vet. and came home at age nineteen and worked every year since then. I was able to take over his S.S share which was helpful to me as I was only sixty two when he died.
When SS was created it also didn't think about spouses. What we now have it a high number of spouses who never worked receiving SS on spouses who did work. Those that did work and pay into the system die well before those that never worked, but still collect SS of spouse who died. Going forward we should look at if a couple decide only one spouse will work, that is there decision but they should have to save for that person retirement other then collecting SS off the working spouse.
remove the income tax on the monthly SS checks
Many of the individual considerations have to be taken in a stagnant economic environment or isolated from other economic considerations which is unrealistic, yet hard to predict. If the simulation could have introduced a varying element of general economic improvements it might have changed some policy decisions and considerations.
Cut out federal programs that don't work and send them back to the states like dept of education and others and consolidate multiple programs serving the same issues. These should have been options.
Not addressing the coming shortfall is totally unfair and patently unethical! Do something NOW!
there should be a set amount for everyone and then it would go up from there depending on your income,no one can live on 400 amonth!
If government "hand outs" were eliminated, the U.S. wouldn't look so inviting to immigrants and refugees thus eliminating much of the countries image of "giving" . It is suppose to be "inhumane" not to give hand outs, but it is humane to cut benefits to those who actually contributed life-long into the system. No wonder there are short-falls when benefits (actual money) is given away along with food, housing and medical that all equals yet more money.
the first part of the survey indicated that a person working just 10 years is eligible for benefits, left me with the impression they would be entitled to the same minimum amount as a person working 30 years. my assumption is the best 10 years of a person's earnings determine this factor.
I cannot understand why the House and Senate continue to get raises each year and their constituents can't afford health care or groceries. Only they continue to collect their salaries and health care until death. I suggest after two terms they go out and get jobs and government doles are stopped. That money could very well cover the SS deficit. It seems we work basically to support them and make them richer as more and more citizens are in poverty. What we spend on illegal immigrants for health, housing, food stamps, and education could also cover the deficit. They should be treated as our citizens are treated in their countries. Charity begins ar home.
contribute 5% to all social security recipientes to make their retirement years more hapy
Fantastic job. Some work, but still enjoyable - and educatio nal.
re-distribute all wealth at age of retirement
I would recommend having a comment area for each proposal. Understanding that this is labor intensive for reviewing and evaluating, I think this is a needed source of input.
Raise the payroll contributions and only allow people to draw from the system that have contributed to it!
If you do not pay into ss you can not draw from.Illegals and refugees can not collect from ss.
Change all politicians across the board and make sure they elect 50% blur collar workers that know really know what Americans need. STOP taking in everything that walks and expecting hard working Americans to support them. How hard can it be.
Congress to keep their sticky fingers out of the SS Box.
Simulation did not address Social Security funds getting spent in other government programs that have little to do with Social Security.
I had no idea the cap was a $117,000 no wonder the rich get richer.
Make a decision now , None of these partisan decisions. Look at these old politicians in Washington. Nothing what they decide or not decide will have any effect on them!
make it harder for people to get on SSI at a young age
I found this simulation to be quite frightening actually. Already I am too young to retire, and all indicators point to a future wherein I will be forced to work, whether it be part-time or full-, until I am no longer able to do so. Retirement is shaping up to be as much as a dream as hitting the powerball in the lottery.
I think you did pretty good. at times I questioned was I suppose to reply to both pro and con boxes.. but I believe it all average out and I solved the shortfall.. Use the information wisely. thanks
DOES THE GOVERNMENT REVIEW THE SOCIAL SECURITY BUDGET EVERY YEAR? EMPLOYERS ARE NOT DOING PENSIONS LIKE THEY USED TO. MANY PEOPLE ARE RELYING ON SOCIAL SECURITY WHEN THEY DO RETIRE.
IF I CAN SOLVE THE PROBLEM...WHY CAN'T CONGRESS? THEY ARE IN FOR A RUDE AWAKENING!!
Recent research has indicated that the lifespan of white American males is actually dropping, especially among those in the Midwest region.
Policies need to be amended there needs to be an overseer Social Security should not take as long as it does to get back to American's that are in need the system is a total joke
You could allow the individuals a portion of that tax to invest an help increase the benefit amount. The most important restriction would be to stop Congress from rowing the fund.
I don't know how it could be improved. Maybe some of the richest ones (sports professionals, big corporations _ could pay more. At least we all know that professional athletes make more money than physicians that can actually save lives, Athletes just have it and waste it. Priorities are a bit messed up, Government needs to work together to find a solution. They have it easy.
Cut government's extravagant spending- spend the money in the USA and forget the hand out's to other country's. We would be more than good!!!
Go to a Fair tax system to tax money as it is spent, not when it is earned. Eliminate the black market, drugs, crime, etc. It would all be taxed.
This was a good survey that presented many options on how deal with the issue.
The people who make the policies have to look realistically at the lack of opportunities of the employed. There is no job security any longer, and jobs are being replaced by machines, therefore, there are less jobs available to pay into SS. Also, more people are becoming ill and disable,SSI/SSDI is being used more.There are factors that are not being considered in the shortfalls. It goes beyond economics and age mortality.
Stop foreign aid to countries who hate us and put it in the SS fund.
Raise the retirement age to reflect the health and physical well being of people as they are today, not as they were in 1935
I think the background data is excellent, and the political options put forward are well thought out. My point in the previous comments section is that solutions are needed now; the political class in DC needs to exhibit the courage to do so and stop kicking every can down the road. The fate of representative democracy is on the line.
Why don't you make everyone pay the same percentage across the board? Whether you are making $25,000/year or $25,000,000 a year you should pay the same percentage.
VOTE FOR BERNIE! I appreciate very much that you ask for the input of your citizens in policymaking. I hope you all actually use these surveys in your final decisions.
People need to work more than 10 years to be eligible for benefits. We work 40 and get very little return for what we pay. The younger generation wants a free ride off our backs.
Provide for other options to be selected, such as the suggestion above. Also, social security had no funds when started, and was in the red, calculate out when the fund would return to balance as work force and retiree numbers come closer together.
Congress should be paid on an average of what others receive in Social Security. About 1600 a month.
keep congresses hands out of social security
If there is a way to be even more realistic with real life factors in play, then something a real policymaker can appreciate as a proposal from the people would be the sought-after improvement.
Quit giving money overseas thinking your gonna help, our investment helps 1/10 of 1 percent. We need to help our country first....then help everyone else with a system that works
hard to answer in absolutes. Is there a way of entering other options and be able to calculate the impact?
End the social security program completely and refund everyone their contributions in a lump sum. Allow people to save for themselves and end the nanny state that enables people to be irresponsible with their money. More money in the pockets means economic stimulation. Why fix a broken system. Cash in the chips
It got so tedious near the end that I skipped questions that required more thought on my part (COLA section)
Simulation was excellent and informative. Wish every taxpayer in the country would have to go through it -- and on a whole series of issues before election day.
yes the policy only assumed that social security would remain and that a retirement system set up in the private side of the economy was never mentioned or offered.
Far too may questions and very confusing.
solvency is both conceptual & pragmatic - having a safety net in place, like social security - maintaining a level of living for general population also bears dividends for the whole society.
I believe I answered this question, in part, above!
BE SURE TO SHOW WHAT % OF THE POOR, OLD AGED, ETC. ARE. IT IS HARD TO SEE WITHOUT KNOWING WEALTHY VS. MIDDLE INCOME VS. POOR.
There would be no shortfall if these funds had remained untouched!
I think the simulation was easy to understand and I do not have an suggestions for improvement.
1-Make congress pay back all the money it has siphoned out of Social Security 2-Make congress have to pay into Social Security, without being able to receive benefits, as they already receive huge pensions, of tax payer's money. 3-Force drug companies to lower the prices on medicines required by the elderly.
Require E-Verified, for all Americans, increase the penalty to a felon status for non-compliance by employer or employee. Change the law regarding illegal immigrants: must register within 30 days of entering the country or within 30 days of the law going into effect, visas must be renewed every 30 days, illegal's must pay a fine of at least $1K for each member of the family, regardless of place of birth. Fine must be paid within 5 yrs. All persons with a felony conviction within the past 5 yrs., must be deported, but can re-enter after 1 yr., with proof of no convictions or charges by Country of origin. All members of registered family must learn English, Civics and US history & pass a test given in English written or oral by the 5th anniversary of registration, must have a complete background check. If a driver must have a valid license, own a car must have insurance. After passing the 5 yr. test, must be placed on a waiting list to apply for citizenship, starting at the back of the line. Children born here are Citizens as per current law. We must eliminate the 'cash' underground society. We cannot wait for a 'wall' security begins with employment. By requiring registration, the ability of employers to 'blackmail' is eliminated. The penalty for not using E-Verify must have teeth, I would think a mandatory 5 yr., and prison term will quickly reduce the Social Security deficit and put a major dent in our National Debit.
For right now raise the social security limit amount. But in turn promote more jobs in this country instead of letting them go over seas. Get people off of the welfare rolls.............
I thought that the government took the money from the Social Security fund. If they left it in, wouldn't it have earned interest?
You need to address the possibility that the top 1% should be taxed at a greater rate, even on non-taxable income, and reducing their SS payout by annual earnings over $100,000 while in retirement (and adjusting for future inflation while in retirement).
Your survey asked about reducing benefits for HIGHER earners of 66,000 a year. That is not high earnings. We should reduce SS payments for anyone with an income of 100,000 a year to the lowest level of payments. Years ago congress passed bills to give SS benefits to aliens the day they foot on these shores. That's insane. Only people who pay SS for a set number of years should get benefits.
SS funds should not be used for ANY OTHER SPENDING OTHER THAN WHAT IT WAS INTENDED.
meet with these seniors instead of having these career politicians decide for them they arent in the same world!
I would increase the amount of places where people can write in comments. Although I understand this would be harder to track, I think people have views that need to be heard.
Simplify the explanations and questions; also inform participant the approximate time factor besides a percentage (%) gauge.
A complete overhaul of the system needs to take place.
Actually READ a bill before it is voted on!
Provide "other" button with an area to enter participant response.
The problem is the government uses the Social Security for what they want to use it for that's the problem so we should have a private account for individuals so the government can't use it that should solve the problem.
Perhaps, the self-employed wealthy should just be exempt from paying into or receiving any benefits?
do not raise age limits, do not raise percentage rate, help out those over 85
I think all income should be taxed over $240 thousand. That would help substantially decrease the deficit of social security.
Have no cap on the amount subject to tax, like Medicare. I think that would solve the whole problem.
Phase in any and all changes gradually with applications to only those presently in the workforce.
See if the "policy makers" would like to live on our income.
National plebiscite on this as part of election in 2018.
Very good exercise as is. I'd recommend that it be something used in college courses for better understanding of policy making.
Can the Social Security shortfall be dealt with by some type of relatively safe investment program (similar to investing a worker's 401K in mutual funds)? Can people/markets purchase bonds to help raise revenue to offset the shortfall?
Yes let the wealthy pay there share of taxes. It's time that they help out.
Congress should not look at the social security trust fund as their piggy bank and not be allowed to touch it.
I truly hope that our policy makers are taking these comments to heart.
You might give choices where the elected government officials CUT THEIR EARNINGS & BENNIES since THEY SPENT the SS monies instead of just cutting the public's benefits & TAXING MORE.
going through and separating welfare from social security is the real solution for this. make them separate taxes and funds. in the long term both systems benefit from a better balance and stability.
Limit the term for congress to four years with no re election and cut their pay and social security.
please offer an option to pause the survey, and complete later. Very long and time consuming. Thanks.
Continue Scarborough surveys and relay results to policy makers. We elect our representatives by listening to their platforms, but once in office they do as they please
Gov. employees wages should be cut ! No full wages for retired Gov. workers....
Social Security funds in the general fund are being squandered by congress and the president for "feel good" projects to pay off political cronies...it should not reach the Federal level..it and Medicare should be handled at the state level, and kept separate from the general funds
I believe Social Security is a great program. A flat rate might be my idea.
The senate needs to get a time out and spankings. They act like the spoiled kids who we all hated in grade school. Get a grip. If they don't accomplish anything then they don't get paid. I wish Aloha!
Make all the members of our government branches (on the Hill) pay into the system just like we have to. Also cut their salaries that we the people have to pay for. We do not have that luxury why should they.
only that those who have not been born or srtugged and not made it into the top 5% income, should not have to continue to struggle in their later years.
It might help if you include visual depictions of how the proposal extends or shortens the anticipated 2034 demise of the system. That is show and state "Under tis proposal Social Security would be viable until the year xxxx."
I am being punished for being a school teacher in Illinois Y husband died and they took away all of his SS benefits I get NONE of a widows benefits. Just isn't fair since our family paid SS forany years
EXPLAINATIONS PRESENTED IN LANGUAGES WE CAN UNDERSTAND...THIS SURVEY BEING A MODEL FOR MANY.i AM IN MY 80'S..i AM MANAGING THANKS TO MY SS AND MY PENSION..SURE I WOULD LIKE 50-60 MORE A MONTH FROM SS, BUT WON'T THAT INCREASE THE TAX TAKEN OUT..SO WHAT WOULD IT REALLY MEAN TO ME? LETS STICK TO A PERCENTAGE A LITTLE AT A TIME...
What if there is a limit for households making over 1MM/year for a specific time frame(10-15yrs) which would disqualify them from receiving any social security benefit?
You forgot about offering us a third option, phase out the social security program entirely. You also forgot that raising revenues isn't the only way to cover your costs. You can also reduce spending from other areas of government that are bloated. Then there is the age propositions why not tie it to life expectancy once and let it follow that. It would at least keep us from having to solve the same problem more than once.
Simulation was enjoyable and made me feel like I had a voice. I would also think you might want to collect more information in regard to peoples current situations, for example, do they know anyone who is currently on social security and there current benefit level?
I have NO idea and neither does anybody else, as I'm guessing why this survey is out? It sucks!
stop the policy makers from taking ss money for other shortfalls and pay back the $ they have been taking out over the years.
It is a darn shame that the government moved the Social Securiy funds into the General Funds and spent our money! We wouldn't have this problem if they had left the funds alone.
When people start collecting Social Security, and they still owe on their student loans, which I believe many in my generation will be, then those student loans need to be forgiven, 100% TAX FREE. At this point, you are taxed for any forgiven amount when you get to retirement age, the 25 year or 30 year mark.
the simulations and explanations were very well done, and pretty easy to understand for me. I don't know much about this, so the explanations are appreciated. thank you for teaching me what the issues are.
I believe that all persons should pay into Social Security at the same rate for the whole year to help cut this shortage that we have. I believe we are the home of the free because of the brave and all should be equal.
I think congress needs to pay into social security and receive social security instead of a different plan for congressmen.
This was helpful in understanding the process of saving and ensuring social security for the future.
I am at the poverty line, but I don't mind paying more taxes if it assures my retirement income.
This was very informative. I just wish politicians knew how to solve problems without making them so partisan.
Each side just passes the buck, making sure that their generation doesn't have to fix the problem. Raise payroll taxes, and the retirement age, and eliminate SS benefits for millionaires like my parents and future generations won't get screwed. If you have 2 pensions, and millions of dollars in IRAs and old 401Ks you should not get any benefits from social security at all, despite having paid into the system for years. YOU (baby boomers) caused the problems in this country and you should not get the benefits of a program that you had a chance to fix and didn't.
We should not allow business to operate outside the US and then sell the product in the US without a Penalty TAX.
give me a printout of what decisions and impact I just made so Ican share it with friends
Reduce the Federal Government wages/benefits/retirements/and wasteful spending and fund SS. Starting with the President, Senators and congress.
Focusing on eliminating government waste and putting the monies in viable programs such as social security.
If a person lives to be in there 70's and 80's, they shouldn't have to worry about being able to pay their bills or eating.
SS money should only be spent on SS benefits - not to fund other things. We wouldn't be in trouble if they kept their paws out of the SS money.
Give us real options, not what the tax and spend crowd want to force on us. Social security was a safety net, not a primary retirement fund. The choices do not reflect that anyone understands this fact.
I'm offended at the language used in this survey. There is always a dark cloud over the hard workers, the risk takers, the inventors of this great county. Every phrase is worded, "Those people earning high salarys should PAY!"..... Why don't you word it, those people who provide jobs, risk their financial situations, work long hard hours, a boss who feels a responsibility to employees and keep a great staff, corporations who constantly donate to the community and give back to the earth, should...... Editor, writer, young college student... get off your high horse and honor those who provide jobs and pay 100% of their own SS and 1/2 of their employees. Please rework, reword this survey and don't be so offensive and biased towards the risk takers, hard workers, inventors of this country.
Bad exercise, as the real solution is not what I would advocate for, but the simulation wording makes it look like I support the choices, WHICH I DO NOT! Except for the benefit increases, of course. But fund from Wall Street. Btw, re-instate Glass-Stegall NOW!
fraud and look at all programs that take money out of ss that do not pertain to retirement
Get to the actual root on why there is such a shortfall almost everyone on Social Security can barely live month to month on way less than poverty levels
Great simulation. Needs more ideas, especially innovative ones.
I have worked and paid taxes for 44 years still while working 60 to 80 hrs per week. I have made it to the SSI cap salary only one year. please expand the information about this, I think that most people are not aware that there is a cap.
Politicians that work for this country, except for the president, should not receive salary increases.
You've probably hit most of the important ones.
It would be interesting to hear the partisan arguments as well. Written into the arguments for/against, it seemed a little partisan. It is hard to choose between two good things. In addition, policies that "prop up" the American worker versus teaching us how to be responsible for our own well-being until death are counter-productive. More incentives to divest ourselves of our need for social security is better. Yes, we will always have the poor, and I am happy to contribute taxes to help...but I do not like to contribute taxes to 'prop-up' American workers who had the means to plan, but did not. I DREAM about how incredible it would be if I could add that 12.4% (I'm self employed) to my 403b!!! It would grow so fast, and I would be no burden on my family or other Americans for a lot longer! The problem as I see it, is that most people are not trained to invest it in their retirement, and instead spend it on themselves (instant gratification). Help us be responsible for ourselves!
Presumtions not sound. Look at ALL policy options including ending or phasing out SS quickly
PEOPLE SHOULD EQUALLY BE RECEIVING BENEFITS FOR THE AMOUNTS THEY CONTRIBUTED,,, THE LOWERS EARNERS FAILED TO PLAN AND THE HIGHER EARNERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES...IT NEEDS TO BE FAIR...
While I like the use of the likert scale, I think there could have been an additional option to pick from at times
Congress should've NOT been spending the surplus all those years that the baby boomers were working and contributing. Now, we have a big problem facing us. Congress needs to budget better and live within their means like I do every month and the majority of the American people.
Referring to my above thoughts, the arguments should be more objective, and not invoke as much of an emotional response.
Legalize marijuana and use taxes raised for medical care, social security, and education
Lobby to create laws forbidding Congress to borrow or manipulate the Social Security Funds....PERIOD!
Have a side bar where the proposals are always in view.
have term limits for congress and have them pay to Social Security like all other Americans.
change your policy the wealthy can afford it. They just don't want to pay it. why should the weight fall on the middle class. you try living off . their salaries.
The changes in benefits was really difficult to understand. I struggled to differentiate between the options.
I was surprised to find out that you are eligible for benefits after just 10 years of work. That's insane. Who works 10 years and expects to retire and get a lifelong pension even if the benefit is low? Perhaps raising that figure to 20-25 years should be considered - isn't the military 20 years? The addition of requiring more years until eligibility for benefits period could save more, add to a surplus IMO.
Elected officials should not be allowed to vote themselves a raise. If elected or appointed to a position, all raises. bonuses and/or special projects that only affect one state or group of people. These should be approved or disapproved by the voting public. If it were up to me, this would be retroactive through 2005.
Maybe the President, Congressmen and Senators ought to contribute some of their earnings to the program.
I thought this simulation approach was very well conceived and useful. I particularly liked discussing and evaluating the various policy options, followed playing the various options off each other at the end to come up with an optimum mix to solve the shortfall concern.
Stop lying to the tax payers. Social Security is not a welfare benefit, we put money in the program for 50 years. I started getting statements from social security 20 years ago, every time I get a new statement, its less money and longer time to retire. This is the most corrupt Government in the world.
The top 5% should pay more of their share to ensure continuity and fairness to the working class. The working class have suffered as a result of continuing income inequality and questions should be posed to address this very real concern that affects the majority of working Americans. It is time for the snookering of the American working class to end!!!
Tighten the rules to not allow someone who has not earned the required quarters to receive some sort of payout.
I thought it was very interesting and done well. I wouldn't hesitate to do another.
Remove caps from monthly amount you earn and still be able to receive the max benefit amount from the SSA for enduring through work especially fast food places.
It seems that the benefits welfare recipients are receiving is much more than what is going to Social security. getting the people off welfare and back out into society working would benefit the economy more than taxing people.
If I truly believed that anyone other than the Nielsen people read this I would not be so bitter. But I feel that our entire government isn't listening to the people they are supposed to represent.
I believe that individuals won't always save for themselves, therefore Social Security should continue. As a citizen of the United States I can not tolerate NOT helping my fellow man. It is the right thing to do.
question. On the option of increasing payments to 80+ did not include an income componnet. Thus my negative vote.
I thought this was an awesome experience, and I really learned so much, as this was very thought provoking! I know that the money for Social Security has to be available when needed, and that it has to come from somewhere, but we MUST come together and find a solution, as so many people are approaching their Retirement years. This is supposed to be a time in our lives where we can enjoy what we put into the system as we have held jobs and had careers. We absolutely should NOT be worried about being able to afford heat to warm our homes, or be concerned about having food, or buying our much needed medications. I believe there is a solution to every problem, and it is time for the people in America to feel safe, knowing they will have the means to live at least a comfortable life. There should be more "Giving" and Less "Taking" from a much loved, valued, adored, yet Vulnerable group in society.
Maybe if you gave people the OPTION of submitting their income, race, age and party affiliation, you might be able to get more out of the survey????? Not sure, just a thought.
this was an EXCELLENT simulation! it really explains the problem and offers concrete ways of dealing with it. there are hard choices to make and we must do something.
The Cost of Gasoline should be removed from the Index and replaced with the Cost of Food and Cost of Mass Transit Increases, as well as Increases of Wages for the Working Class. Wages for the Food Industry going up is going to increase the price of food at the shelf. The price of Chopped Liver for one Pound which was about $3.50 per pound, is now at $8.49 per pound.
stop STARTING WARS all over and consider those in your own back yard; the working class and elderly
If the wealthy paid their fair share like the middle class we wouldn't have such a problem.
I think the policy making simulation is very good. It would be interesting to see the other decisions that are competing for budget space.
I like this sims, but ultimately this becomes such a multifaceted, convoluted, politicized process that I know nothing really gets done with good planning...only when it is too late
Learn from European countries! Americ is not a social-minded country at heart.
If you want it to be equitable to the low wage earners then there should be no cap on soc security contributions based on wages, the highest earners can afford to pay more is your basic argument but you don't take what appears to be the most logical and least painful step to rectify social security issues. However when you do that the higher earners should be the same % pay out as the low wage earner when they finally collect social security.
It's a more than a start because at least a couple of the questions were trying to look at other factors beyond just the funding of the program - but so much depends upon the economy, past, present, and future.
Ensuring that $$ Monies $$ which were (?)borrowed (?)from this S.S.I. Account back many years ago, would be returned with $$ The Interest $$ that would have incurred, if those donated $$ Monies $$ from The Citizen's of These United States of America were not touched at all, as President F.D.R. emphatically stated back in the day that those $$$'s would never be touched by Our Government, which is most definitely "No Urban Legend" at all, to this very day in The Year of Our Lord 2016, too! Beyond Food For Thought, that's for darn sure, too! Do make a great day happen, whenever you possibly can now, you hear~Enjoy!
Flat tax, eliminate IRS Politicians incomes are no longer for lifetime. Healthcare policy we are now forced to take is what they have to abide with as well.
Very interesting and thought -provoking. I wonder at the difference in response among different age groups.
either double those hyphens into real dashes ( -- ) or at least put a damn space around them so they do not read as mere hyphens please
I think you need to look at the top 5% or people making ov $1M+ a year - eliminate social security but not medicare (since most insurance companies to not cover people after 65.
Stop dipping into it, it's fee people's money!
I believe that Congress tapping the Trust Fund for other purposes, even as a "loan," is bad policy.
I surely do, stop giving our SS money to people who never put a penny into SS. If you want SS to last and not make any changes to it, stop Washington from using SS to pay for their mistakes. SS was not put in place for the government to take from. It's the money of those who worked hard all these years and earned the right to it not for those who come to this country and except us to support them forever and never have to work. It's our money not the governments or others who never worked a day in their life.
I felt like the negative written discriptions of some choices could automatically encourage some to reject that scenario. Overall, I enjoyed the exercise and especially liked seeing how each option could impact the deficit.
Be more selective on who receives SSI for handicaps and medical reasons.
Your simulation is rather black or white, yes or no mentality. Many of my 66+ year old friends live in a grayish reality.
I enjoy your surveys. I hope my input helps shape how things are done.
Hard for me. I'm 55 and planning on seeing very little payout from a clearly underfunded system. Could one of the options be a low fee mutual fund? Vanguard is pretty reasonable.
Quit stealing the money collected for if congress had left the Social Security in the fund it was intended, it wouldn't be in the mess it is today.. Congress persons are to blame for the mess it's in
I'm really glad you folks don't dumb this stuff down too much. I value the depth you bring to the discussion.
Social welfare is unconstitutional. It creates a dependence on government that no one should have. A smaller government who enacts strong reform in the way of radical fiscal conservativism is the only way to stay out of the red. Tax and spend policy has met it's end and is destroying itself and the people it is bound to serve with an implosion. Cut massive government waste now and you will see an obvious change in the social security system. Instead of increasing payroll tax, begin to slowly faze out this weak and destructive social welfare system.
This was a very easy format to understand. I enjoyed the facts about social security. All charts and graphs provided significant, important information. I feel like you could almost give more background information on SS.
How about a reduced flat payout for anyone over 65 and be exempt from future patments.
I think you are only portraying certain facts to get certain responses. Therefore you are only getting a portion of truth in these responses. There are no options mentioned for increasing the job market, the dipping into the S.S. fund that has/is been taking place by our politicians, the desperate need to stop the abuse/misuse of the current funds,to name a few examples. All of these things are just as influential as the questions on this survey. I understand the survey only dealt with current policies in place, but, again, you are only getting a certain portion of peoples opinions. May be that is your objective.
1) Congress has used funds that were supposed to be for Social Security. They have done this for years. Now it is time for them to find ways to pay that money back. 2) Elderly people do have different expenses than younger people. Many no longer drive, so gasoline prices do not affect them as much (although public transportation does not decrease). Medications for a healthy life do cost more. So basing the COLA on the population at large is ridiculous.
Why does a person with stage 4 cancer have to wait 7 months to receive benefits when they had paid in since working age?
You need to include individual options - such as that I stated in the previous section. Those earning $350,000+ in any given year is not allowed to have that year included in the formula for SS earnings. That level of income allows an individual to fund their own retirement for that year.
This is going to be a long drawn out battle. No easy fixes
most of these are extremely difficult questions to answer...I have no idea what the time limits are on finishing these simulations, but more time should be given...this will allow more thought process over a few days or one week
Reduce the senators and representatives retirement to what we have to live on. After all they have the means to save money for retirement.
There should be more options for addressing the shortfall.
I think a lot people say they are disabled when they aren't.
Should be evaluated as often as things are changing
We need to stop using Social Security funds for welfare and other services that have not contributed to our Social Security Benefit program. Social Security was designed to help citizens save for retirement and we expect to receive it.
When companies pay in, where does this money go? Is it invested? Or is it used for other purposes than SS? If this is so, shame on you!
Social Security should have never started. Social Security should be slowly phased out over time. We should be responsible for our own investing and saving for retirement!!!!
Create a separate commission/agency that has authority over SS so that Congress does not have to deal with it as everything is grandstanding and politics based instead of policy based.
Allow commentary after each of the sections, so that alternative ideas can be presented.
100% of Americans should the same benefits, this includes members of congress and the senate, the same social security, health care, and pension, of none, as the case may be.
Need to also give options that affect government spending.
Make Congress put back the money they stole from social security and make it illegal for Congress to rob from social security.
It was long, but I especially liked how I was not persuaded to go one way or the other. We do not think the system is broken, just needs to be adjusted since wages, etc. have increased so much in the past 30+ years. Thank you for doing this.
I did think this was an interesting way to share both opinions and information. I am not sure what the ultimate benefit is to your group, but policy is tricky, and I appreciated seeing several sides.
Treat it like a government sponsored annuity with guaranteed return of premium to the estate at death. Funds would need to invested in government securities.
I really liked the format. Only wish I had more time to go back and work on a 100% solution. Could I have paused and returned to the survey? Think about adding it as an option. Thanks
I think this was really well done although my computer, about 10 years old, struggled loading the pages, everything worked well and was written coherently.
This was a good exercise. Everyone should do it.
quit spending money on immigrants and giving them free stuff
Explain in more detail time vs money/ inflation effects on social security benefits, and how it will never sustain retirement at this rate.
Put all congressional members on Social Security and revoke their current plan. They should be able to abide by what the law is for everyone else!!!
How can "WE" have a shortfall in Social Security, after all, the government seems to be able to find money to give to other countries. Problem solved : DO NOT LOAN OR GIVE MONEY TO OTHER COUNTRIES !!!!!!!!!!
It's pretty good, maybe could include a few more choices or options. The amount of money a person earns workjng parttime after retirement should be discussed. The Federal Government dipping into SS funds, true or false, should be addressed.
Quit using Social Security as another welfare program.
Reduce the EIC and Child Tax Credits there is no incentive to get a job when we give so much to those who work the system. They work just enough to get max benefits, food stamps, Medicaid Section 8 housing etc. Stop the madness, make our healthy young people go to work or let them earn the benefits while working in the areas that no longer have funding.
Excellent exercise! Congress, get it done!
Having watched my parents savings dwindle and then social security not keep pace with cost of living was excruciating. Both my brother and me had to help pay bills and that was a burden for us as well as making our financial savings less, especially in the years when we should have been building it. The other item to mention is that because employers are not paying good wages anymore, the monies going in to social security are not going to be enough to cover employees retirement. Our country needs a big overhaul of all government programs and needs to figure out how to make it fair for all citizens, not just the 1%.
I thought it was excellent. Job well done.
I won't make it! but, I guess this what the Law makers want to leave me with no Dignity! no one can survive on what I get it's not enough to DIE on!
I can,t think of any off hand. However, I appreciate this opportunity to participate. More of these types of surveys should be considered.
get honest people in there who care about others than their pockets. also a person who has five, or more million in the bank. dont need social secuity.
Simulation was a ood idea. Tough to answer some of those with asccuracy without more detailed information and input.
the government need to STOP using social security as their personal PIGGY BANK. Like the $150 BILLION taken in Oct. 31, 2015 in a secret meeting..
I think we really have to go after fraud. If one is here illegally or have not contributed to the system, there should be no benefit.
You did not even consider the different suggestions of a gradual removal of SSI from the federal government all together.
I believe that everyone should pay into the system and then everyone can take out of the system - just like in Europe. You work, you pay, you receive.
all elected representatives and policy makers should have to deal with the same system as the rest of us. Maybe if they were paid minimum wage and paid for their own healthcare they would be more responsive to the needs of real people.
Feel that the highest earning employees already earning more do not pay into S.S. until higher total income is achieved and then receive much higher benefits at retirement.
The progress bar feels more accurate than on the first survey, but still, it jumped from ~50% to nearly 100% on the last question (where you chose policy changes to solve the shortfall). I feel like it might discourage people from finishing the survey if it looks like it will take much longer than it actually will. I think it would be better if it more accurately reflected an estimation on the time it would take to adequately read a certain page and consider the options rather than just increasing the same amount for each question answered. The last page didn't take long at all, but it took up an inordinate amount of the bar.
NOTHING THIS WAS A VERY GOOD SURVEY I LEARNED A LOT FROM THIS.PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY CRISIS.THERE WERE THINGS IN THIS SURVEY THAT I WAS NOT AWARE OF AS I CONTINUED SURVEY I LEARNED MORE
i question the amount $117,000. to 137000, tht is a middle class amount, the 1% should not just automatically be eligible while their fortunes sit with no charge. it sounds unfair but it is unfair to always place the loss of funds and increase in taxes on the shoulders of the middle class and poor. I hope i made sense.
Retirement age should be lowered and benefits increased.
There are more possible options than you gave us. I would like to be able to vary the percentages and stretch out the implementation times. Your simulator ought to be able to handle the extra calculation complexity. There could also be a place where other ideas could be offered, not included in your mix.
I never knew there was a cap - this was the biggest shock to me.
Eliminate the cap and make ALL income subject to ss tax.
eliminate waste which I am sure there is a lot and keep the politicians out of it not spend it on anything else
Yes, kick the welfare cheats (lifetime socialists) that have never worked OFF of social security disability SPECIFICALLY the drug addicts and those whose children have aged out of welfare and this is there NEW WELFARE!
Congress please work together and stop the bull shit fighting and reach agreements...Work together
This simulation was terrific. I do hope the policy makers have a chance to use it and take advantage of it. It is a great tool.
stop allowing all the big companies to outsource jobs only after every single person here is gainfully employed should there be allowance to outsource Also all these stupid automated systems have to stop not only do they not work properly real people need jobs
Think outside the damn box. Stop paying people who did not pay into the system for many years
Do all policy-makers contribute to social security? It appears there is an elite group of people that are determining the future of the non-elite. Maybe policy-makers, politicians, etc. should try living off of the social security benefits of someone who has worked their entire life and contributed towards it.
Send results to the obstructionist, do-nothing Congress.
Use common sense, which is sometimes missing in Washington.
The rich people should contribute more than they do.
Vote, vote, vote (early and often, as they said in the days of Tamany Hall.)
I thought the approach was excellent and straight forward from a user's standpoint.
Just wanted you to know that my answers are based on a hard working american who has been paying into social security since 1976, has already had my retirement age increase to age 67 making my working years paying into SS 51 years. I don't think after paying into a system for that long...broken or not by greed and poor planning, that I should be penalized in my retirement years. It's too late for me to incorporate any financial reassessments and most of my portfolio took a hit 10 years ago. too hard to recoup at this point unless you are in that upper tax bracket so for the hard working middle class employee, I beg you to not abandon those of us who have paid our dues and are going to be short changed.
an intro fact page, then straight to the final page if I demo understanding of the scenario.
This survey was heavily weighted towards ideas that ultimately reduce the benefits for the wealthy, either via reduced benefits or higher contributions. The fact that someone is wealthy does not mean that they should be responsible for a higher contribution or should have to accept a lower benefit.
quite trying to extend failed policies that have bankrupted us
The simulation was very well done. Language used presented the choices clearly. Don't change this approach, its not broken.
This is a great way of educating people what is entailed in these decisions and obtaining their input instead of following the opinion of some congressional ideologue elected by PAC money and uninformed voters. Thanks!
Include government workers into SS and eliminate their special retirement programs.
continuing to expand legislation more and more surrounding ideas or past policy that isn't rock-solid is a completely flawed approach certain to make the future horribly complicated and inefficient. if we truly value the rights of man, inequality has to be dealt with before more rules are enacted, but unfortunately it's too profitable for people to make things complicated and unequal.
have people work longer and pay more taxes
I think more public works programs. Increasing taxes on people who are like in the top 5% money makers and less write offs for them. Incentives for the top 5% when they create jobs or housing or food programs. Work with the faith base organizations and systems that we already have in place and that have proven to have a successful partnership with local and federal governments. State governments who are operating effectively and who have managed to reduce crime and improve race relations, let them be a model for the federal government.
i thought the exercise was helpful in committing to one's priorities
Do nof touch the SC money for other the SC benefits.
Don't spend other people's money. No benefits to those not contributing.
The simulation was very clear and easy to follow.
Force the illegal immigrants to pay in to the system.
Voluntary surrender of benefits as a charitable contribution to the govt or as a partial credit
Use the money in the fund only for benefits.
We as a civilization, might be better off designing communities for older people, where they can live with their basic needs provided for them in a general setting. These can be established in every state, and seniors can be given the option of living there full or part time depending on their monitory circumstance! If they have the funds to be on their own, then so be it. But if not, the basic things such as medical needs, and companionship with their piers, to maintain a healthy lifestyle, should be provided at a low cost! Live your life to the fullest when you are young, be adventurous, travel, and start your family. Live within your means and you will be fine. You offspring will grow up and they will be fine! Needing to retire with a million dollars is cause for undue stresses and strains in life, and will for surely send you to an early grave! I look at it like this; what the point of being old with millions of dollars, and you can't even walk; enjoy your live while you are young and do all you can do with a healthy body, because after you retire, nothing can be promised!
No. This is excellent--clear, and realistic.
Make the wealthy and corporate businesses pay more.
Very good idea. This should be widely reported.
I do not believe that government is particularly efficient in administering any program. What savings could be achieved through such efforts?
Cost of living should reflect Social Security Benefits
Those making over a million should not be taking SS
Why not lift the cap on SS payroll taxes entirely, while still keeping a cap on SS benefits for those making $1 million or more?
It would be useful to see evidence about what has worked in other countries, and other information that would help me conclude whether the arguments being presented are actually true.
Take into account the survey takers age and income status to help them see projected how it would impact them
Thought you articulated the options really well.
Would like to know when these survey results will be posted & where? And survey should include some facts about how Congress has taken SS funds for other purposes & not reimbursed the Trust Fund.Nielsen should be up front about this issue & ask if Americans are aware & how they feel. This includes Congress taking $$ away from the Postal Service & never returning hard working retirement benefits to postal workers.
This is a very stimulating exercise. I enjoy it very much. I am a h.s. social studies teacher and I wish my students could do simulations like these.
Stop the inflated pensions of policy makers for so little time served. Make sure they are subject to the same policies and health care as the public they impose
The people in congress do not depend on any of this -which is why it never gets solved
?? Please enter me in more surveys in the future. Thank you sincerely, ?? stan
If all of the incomes gave to S.S. it wouldn't be in trouble as the republican party says
Tax the rich. What about those who earn say 500 thou a year? Really. We're fed up.
Eliminate the $117,000 cap and tax ALL income. The well-to-do get enough tax breaks already.
THE COLA THIS YEAR WAS BASED ON THE PRICE OF GAS,THAT IS REDICULOUS,WHY IT WASNOT BASED ON THE COST OF FOOD,RENT,INSURANCE ETC?
An enlightening exercise. It definitively proves that the Social Security shortfall is easily remedied.
A very well done survey, clear and uncluttered.
It would be interesting to see which legislators actually review the results of this surveys and in the future, find out which policy decisions were influenced by this survey.
Stop changing policy. Stop freezing their benefits.
Have people on ss disability be recertivied every few years
End federal subsidies certain industries - Big oil - return to SS fund
Include the option for the wealthy retirees to return their social security to the government for a tax break and allow that money to be given to those who fall just above poverty line.
Stop the government from from tapping into the SS system to use for other govt shortfalls..the govt IOU's are worthless--that is how we got into this so called shortfall .
We, as a country, should be ashamed of how we care for our seniors. What happened to " a government of the people, by the people, and FOR the people!
Do not change the policy. There are other ways to raise funds for aging up folks, such as a new law. New Law=any offical involved with corruption including federal level loses all perks of the position. To include US Congress. Save there and put those $ in the Soc Sec coffers. I had better med coverage with NYS Hudson Health plan than medicare. Make politicos pay for damage they do.
I don't think anything should be taken out of SSI & SSDI, in the way if income taxes. It s just barely enough to get by on, if you receive the full benefit, If you are unable to collect the full benefit, for whatever reason, it is very difficult and causes people to live in poverty. It's sad to see how our older people are treated and have to worry about food and housing when they are least able to do it for themselves. I feel more benefits should be made available by taxing higher income levels at a higher rate.
some choices are automatically reducing...a "none" option should be more available
Ronald Reagen brought about huge increases in Social Security funds only to have the money never make it to the fund. I would like to see legislation that makes it illegal to withdraw money from the fund for anything other than benefits for retired personnel.
I think this type of survey is terrific so that we all can get a better look at what the decision makers are confronted with. keep up the good work and try to include more people. Thank you for this opportunity.
Tax the wealth, not just wages. Also increase the so called "death tax", otherwise know as the inheritance tax. Problem solved.
everybody should have to pay into soucil Security that work. same amount to everyone no exceptions.
Elect Donald Trump President so we can get somebody in government that knows what they are doing and get rid of the political hacks!
investigate those who use the system it would save millions
This was the best survey I have ever taken as it allowed you to go back and reread and think about previous answers without having to start all over again. This format was amazing!
Again we should abolish the IRS save millions of dollars and go to a flat tax
I appreciated the process. I think there are more subtleties to this kind of decision making than can be included in such a survey, but overall I think this was well designed and interesting. I hope decision makers will take responses to heart.
Intensify the detection of fraud and waste in SS and Medicare. There is to much of this going on and it only hurts the beneficiaries .
I would like to see more middle class Americans run for political office since they are directly affected by the real problems facing this country, not some lawyer looking out for the lobbyists and political groups that helped get them elected. Congress doesn't even collect Social Security if I'm not mistaken?
I don't have any thoughts on the policymaking of the social security short falls.
Lets increase money available by employing people again. Move those businesses back to America and let our people enjoy the rewards of a vibrant economy.
1. When discussing the need to raise SS benefits, it would be helpful to provide statistics regarding the number, and SS benefit levels, of retirees who must supplement SS with Medicaid, food stamps, soup kitchens, and other forms of taxpayer and philanthropic support--and how these statistics would change if benefits were increased. 2. Nothing was said about under-the-table payments (e.g., for cleaning ladies and seasonal workers) that generates no SS tax. How much is it estimated to be, and how might we go about reducing this illegal untaxed pay?
thought this was pretty neat, I would be willing to do more of these.
Policymakers need to look at more recent data. My ability to make ends meet on my benefit has continually declined at a rate higher than the inflation rate over the last 4 years. You need to control the high cost of medical care, especially prescription drugs, and rent. If you were able to change those 3 costs alone, I would not need any substantial COLA increases. Seniors should also be able to afford low cost supplemental insurance plans which would lower Medicare costs. Right now, most cannot afford the supplemental plans because the cost to eat and meet medical needs and housing is just out of control.
WE ON SS CANNOT HELP THE ECONAMY WITH OUT A COLA RAISE EVERY SO OFTEN
Republicans and Democrats should start working together for the Americans that put them into office. These politicians don't have to worry about how they are going to finance their retirement years.
This is a good exercise and very informative.
Forbid Social Security benefits to those who have not put into the system...and forbid Congress from using this money for any purpose but paying the benefits to those who have put into the system for 10 years or better.
See my above comments. People should not be forced to reduce their lifestyles due to government mismanagement.
Make Congressman pay their own health care, eliminate their automatic retirement. And take let the taxpayers vote on any wage increases. Take away their free postage, printing, etc.
Keep the Govt from borrowing money from Social Security.
There should be some incentive for policy makers to accomplish these goals. Very soon.
You gave every simulation EXCEPT the one that would be the most beneficial ----correcting the heart of the problem where it started.
Each new budget must allocate 5% of revenue to buy back loans taken from Social Security.
We should get more than 50% of what we paid into social security. There are too many people taking advantage of ssi, Medicaid and welfare which is penalizing everyone else.
If the government lowered military spending we would have more money for social security.
Food prices should be part of the cost of living calculation!
Many company's are eliminating older workers jobs and are replaced by younger people. This is called age discrimination to hire younger employees. They end up on unemployment and end never getting a job and end up homeless due to unemployment running out.....so, rising the social security age is not the full answer...
Really enjoyed this, helped me see what the problem was and how it could be solved.
The simulation was interesting and provided serious insights into a serious American issue. Thank you.
Don't switch back and forth between for/against policy questions on the same page. It gets confusing.
Thank you so much for this opportunity. I hope my input will be used.
Elected officials need to re-evaluate the way they have misused Social Security funds. Those practices need to be stopped. They need to control their spending the funds that were set aside for helping those who contributed during their declining years. Elected officials need to be held responsible and make honest efforts to stop raiding this fund to ensure they will remain in office. Term limits would resolve many problems.
Their was no mention of replacing funds that were not supposed to be touched by government. .....that is the only way to fix the issue.
I find it hard to think of poor people who really never had a chance to earn what the upper class had. They were stay at home mothers who were raising children to be responsible adults or people who just maybe did the best they could. Do you think they worked any less? No they probably worked harder for less money. Is that fair? Maybe they didn't have a chance at college or had other responsibilities making that choice out of their reach. Thirty to forty years ago woman or minorities didn't have the choices that the younger generation has now. Don't penalize people for knowledge they didn't have. All Americans should be able to live a fair life and have decent medical care and food on the table with a roof over their head. Is that to much to ask for. We fight wars for countries that would never help us and we send our children to die in foreign countries for principles that are based on money. Explain to me why we shouldn't take care of our senior first. Please do what is fair and just for the lowest 50% those that probably never had a day without worry. Take care of Americans first. Stop taking care of the world first and America last.
It's a no-win situation, and no one seems to want to take responsibility for where the retirement funds go. Maybe that would be a place to start. Are they invested, borrowed against, repayment plan with interest?
Take more money from the millionaires sitting in office who are more than set for life. Make them help those who need it the most.
This was educational and thought-provoking. There are no easy answers, but there are sharp philosophical differences.
It would be good to be able to print out a copy of the answers for future reference. This was "very" informative. BTW I do collect therefore I am aware of the disparity for others which we can fix.
I believe we should start taking care of our seniors first before the rest of the world. I know we have worked hard and saved for our retirement and it still have to watch our spending. Medical, food and appliances that do not last more than five years drain our reserves.
There should be no changes for those already paying SS. When they started paying SS they were told they could retire at a certain age. You shouldn't change rules in the middle of the game.
The elderly shouldn't have to suffer. Retirement should be be 60-62 while they can still get around good.
stop access spending in other areas that do not have much meaning.
I like the way the survey addressed the issue. I think an additional part should include why Social Security (or any other issue) has become a problem. To me it is obvious that the Trust Fund was raided and now they want more money to fix bad decisions.
I feel as though this simulation has given me a better appreciation of how policy makers and the Legislative Branch of government conduct business. Social Security has been in place for almost 100 years, and is definitely in dire need of an overhaul. However, the reallocation of funds from the Social Security fund to fund other welfare projects should be considered illegal.
Stop paying benefits to those that don't pay into it...illegal s don't pay takes yet they benefit from all kinds hand outs
Would have liked less "either/or" choices. I'd like to think that our actual representatives are capable of coming up with some ideas of their own, vs. this kind of "multiple choice/true false" decision making. Of course, I may be giving them waaaaay too much credit!
The benefits should never be lowered-that is what the we have have worked for. The government can devise a plan to make the money grow. Slow growth stocks, IRA's etc are a few ideas.
Require a comprehensive plan to bring down the total shortfall like the one shown at the end of this survey where you saw the total % reduction as you selected options.
These policy makers need to make the citizenry more aware of thI don't want my representative to be the sole decision maker.
The simulation is great. Except you didn't tell all of the story in the beginning when you were explaining why there would be a shortfall. Another smelly political cover up.
I don't see the above illegal alien reality factored into the simulation. Also the possibility of eliminating loopholes from the taxable income equation would harness funds for the shortfall which now goes to lawyers and CPAs for legalized tax-evasion.
A few more options would be nice -- I think increasing the minimum payment would be good, but not to as high a figure as was suggested in this survey.
Just take my voice I just solved hundred percent of shortfall in Social Security
It takes good chunk of person's time to complete.
My answers are predicated on Medicaid health benefits remaining the existing system. Increasing benefits for the very elderly by some 61 bucks is not going to help anyone. Medical expenses are way to high and that would help very little.
If the Government would stop using the SS monies accumulated over the years for Medicaid, Disabled individuals that have never worked a day in their life, Welfare recipients and bogus claims for disability, etc., there would be enough money in SS for retirees. The Gov. should hire more people to serve in the FRAUD Depts. of the Government programs and this would maintain the level of monies needed for SS retirees for years to come.
I thought it was a great presentation. I teach high schoolers and wish I could do this activity with them. they would love it!
The policy making simulation is not bad though some of the wording and choices are a bit vague and confusing.
I think more people should go through simulations like this, especially the final choices. This way you have immediate feedback as to how your choices will affect people and policy. Our congress should use tools like this to gauge the sentiment of their constituents.
I guess there is no way to shorten it and yet be throurgh
Social Security should offer small employment jobs to help older American supplement their income.
The simulation was great just as it was.
Zero faith in all politicians and most branches of the government. Corrupt. Self Serving.
I am very disappointed with the current administration and how they are not helping small businesses. I own a small business with a growth rate of 58% per year and we are struggling because of the staggering taxes that effect everything that we do for the business as well as our hard working employees.
Social Security. Stop paying "benefits" to illegal aliens and to those who have not paid into it unless it was their spouse who paid into it.
I think it was very well designed. Congrats to the team that designed it.
have congress get off their 8-year break and get to work, Give all the people the same benefits that congress gets or give them the same benefits we get and see how fast it changes.
All congress should be under the same regulations as any other citizen as far as taxes and retirement .
Only those people that have worked and paid into social security should receive the benefits. No free lunch for those who have not.
I think full retirement age should be 62. Too many people work their whole adult lives and die either before they even get a check, or in the first few years of retirement. The life expectancy may be longer, but the quality of the last years are questionable, with many losing everything they worked because of the exorbitant nursing home costs.
Stop letting the 1% put their money into capital gains and paying a lower rate instead of it being salary. They are cheating, but claime they love their country.
Additionally, stop every new president from changing and redoing the White House with new furniture , carpet, china etc. There are several buildings full of furniture, rugs, china etc being stored that can be used. This is a waste of tax payer money and could be used for Social Security or Military or Homeless. These people make the laws that dictate how we live, how much money we make; they need to lead from the front! Live the way they expect the average American to live. $600 toilet seats, $2000 in China $50000 for furniture in one room would more than help the SSA fund, homeless children, vets or our Military have better equipment and safety gear.
AS A NATION WE NEED TO PRAY ABOUT IT AND MAKE A SOBER DECISIONS.
Consider less military spending and more infrastructure and quality of life for citizens.
would have preferred to have the ability to modify the details of the proposals. For example, not just raise minimum benefit by a fixed amount, but be able to change that amount.
One solution alone will not work. It will have to be a combination of things. There are probably other entitlement programs that could be cut to provide for the SS system as well. Every non-profit in America is funded by grants funded by tax dollars.
It was interesting to see how easy an acceptable solution (to me) would be.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide my input. There is no simple solution, but it seems to me every religion and culture ultimately teaches that the most abled should help those who are least-abled.
Close the loop holes so corporation pay their fair share in taxes. Reducing the tax liability for all companies and closings loopholes will go along way in keeping our country solvent and allow us to take care of our needs.
This survey is excellent and well presented, especially with the arguments and the consequences of the decisions. I intend to use this as an educational tool in a senior citizens' class. Thank you
Stop going into the SS for other expenses.
These questions had complex intertwining, and I'm not sure I was 100% coherent. I tried to build a vision of how the pieces fit together as I went along, but it'd take more time than I gave it to do that right. Your survey did well with the complexity, and showed that you realized our problem in dealing with it.
The potion of the budget that comprises SS and other programs and a minute part of the total budget. Just as much or more is spent in forgien aid and welfare for business. The Constitution states that the government is in charge of the health and welfare of the people, NOT ENRICH BUSINESS OR THE RICH!
Eliminate the fraud and waste within the systems.
stop paying for all the special services government officials get , we don't need to secure past president and their families!
There needs to be a way to stop tax evasion. Tariffs on all imported goods so local produced goods are affordable. Raise minimum wage.
I truly believe that the retirement age for full benefits should be ramped up to 70 in the next 10 years and eventually increased to 75 over the following 20 years. Life expectancy will keep increasing, no doubt about it. The age 65 standard is over 100 years old and was established by Kaiser Wilhelm in Germany. Of course, not many lived to see 65 then and there. Furthermore, too much is distributed to those who haven't paid into it. I recall an episode of 60 Minutes that showed a woman with 7 kids who raised them to be little antisocial bastards. Some social worker declared that their inability to function in civilized society was a syndrome and they were all given benefits. So this non-working non-child-rearing excuse for a mother was collecting almost $4,000/mo in SSI benefits. Big pharma is responsible for creating hundreds of new "syndromes" that make it too easy for people to opt out of the workforce and collect social security. There should be a way to stop people from "gaming" the system in such a ludicrous manner, so that we wouldn't have to rely solely on cuts to retirees to make up the shortfall.
As always, it was excellent and well put together. Brain stimulation is always a good thing! Thanks!
Some of the arguments had simplistic language in it such as besides... that turned me away from it. I support arguments based on what sounds more like facts or data.
Spending less money would eliminate alot of problems
Just replace the money that was taken from the social security fund. If done one time, and even add to it one time from the wasteful spending that is going on, there wouldn't be a problem.
Put a cut government SPENDING into the simulation
I have filed for Social Security over 8 different times, I have still not gotten it I have copd asthma and mental problems with degenerative disc disease.
Where is the propsal to eliminate Social Security altogether, replacing all or part of it with self-funded, and perhaps government matched, 401-k style benefits. Older contributors could be grandfathered, wage earners in middle years could opt in, and the young would be kept out of Social Sevurity.
I enjoy receiving the surveys because it teaches me a little more about the government policies and makes me feel like I'm a little more knowledgable about it by the end of the survey.
I think raising the retirement age to 70 could be done at a faster rate than was proposed.
Act for the people and not for the business to make more money.
Encourage people to volunteer will allow the funds to go farther.
This simulation was interesting and informational.
I feel all of us should be on the same social security program including all members of our government. I feel then our program would get attention it needs.
It is a very difficult situation, and is beyond me to solve it...Sorry....
More funding options, not just "inside" changes. Make new laws.
S.S. is an earned benefit, not a welfare program, and should be addressed as such.
If the retiree has a strong retirement fund then social security needs to be based on that money as well. Social Security and Medicare should be figured similar to Welfare. Allow them to live above poverty but not pay full amount if they have another income.
I agree that there should be no cap on the tax. That in some ways makes it more of a welfare program, and makes it proportionally unfair for those who make less. I think that some of the issues discussed here, such as increasing the COLA adjustment based on elderly costs (healthcare) are not issued themselves by symptoms. We have a health care cost crisis in this country, and we should solve that rather than making every program and company and person figure out a way to solve it on their own.
I believe it was very good. Possibly shorten it down, if possible.
I FEEL THE GOVERNMENT IS ONLY REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE MINIMAL AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE TO RETIREES ( JUST ABOVE POVERTY LINE). THERE ARE OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO Assist the elderly with heating, food, cost of nursing home care, etc. Further social service assistance to the elderly could help them without the need to increase their SS monthly benefit.
My hope is that the elected officials/policymakers who finally do make the necessary changes, base these changes upon all of the facts available and do not fall victim to special interest groups and lobbyists.
Make everyone under retirement age who is receiving social security benefits be evaluated yearly to see if they qualify too many people think it's a way of life and have never paid into it. I believe if somebody is diagnosed with asthma as a child they do not need benefits for life and thAt would help cut the shortfall.
I'm assuming you know your surveys/polls are intellectually skewed. They are also conservatively skewed for the same reason general polls are always liberally skewed. Hey, conservatives are highly likely to hang up on a phone pollster within 5 seconds and taking your surveys would frustrate a liberal to the point of lying to get through it to get the $5.00. By the questions I think our Statistical Analysis people have filters to weed those surveys out. If not get back with me since I could help them with it, evaluating the questions in this questionnaire. That used to be my job.
Let the Goverment workers live on Social Security and see how fast the policies changs.
Please make improvements and let people know way ahead of time what is going on with their future. Thanks for asking.
I really enjoy seeing the projected impact of my decisions and that really drives home the power of choice.
Hilary Clinton has the best plan to repair social security.
I would appreciate more info on what explicit assumptions are being made within the policy options' estimates, as I mentioned in the above question. The estimates are just given at face value, so are we to assume they are comprehensive or merely "linear"?
This was awesome! I really liked seeing all the actual numbers on how Social Security works and the specific ways to try to fix it.
Personal retirement savings accounts instead of SS. SS security as a safety net, not a retirement plan.
Food of all things are not included in the cost and it should be. Food and medicine.
An occasional comment box alongside some questions would help you better understand peoples opinions, questions, and concerns about what the survey is commenting on. But keep it simple.
Great simulation. I wish everyone participated in stuff like this.
Educated us more how to save for our retirement
I think you might skew that data a little by the order the solutions are presented in (if they weren't random for each participant). People might be more favorable to an idea just because it came first. You would probably get a better picture of opinions from the second part of the survey that had everything on one page so they can be weighed better by the survey-ee in relation to each other.
The simulation is well done. However, SS itself is complicated and exacerbated by wealth concentration.
The choices at the end should have included not raising the retirement age.
Why in the HECK are government employees not subject to the same systems as the people. Medicare/Medicaid and SS. Who voted for that
1. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to explain my position. 2. My wife and I are both 75 and we worked until 70. 3. We were fortunate to work in jobs that provided a pension and we also never lived our income. By that I mean we were able to save because our house was modest and we did not accumulate debt. 4. We put two children through college debt free......I am fully aware that would be more difficult today. 5. Both of our parents struggled in the depression and encouraged us to save and be frugal and we drank the Koolaid. Thank you again
Do away with living spouse benefits. Cost savings
I think our government is spending too much time giving the president a hard time with any of his ideas....it is time they Republicans and Democrats start getting along and start doing what their constituents want done for the best for this country instead of battling each other for the power - they are to be in office to represent us common folks instead of making politics a game of power!!!!
Ignores the fact that these funds have been borrowed and frittered away by Congress. They should pay for this by cutting pet projects and vote getting handouts and not ask the taxpayer to bail them out
My only comment here is I wish the blowhards in D.C. would stop serving special interest groups and start doing what's best for the country as a whole.
I have no issues or suggestions with your current process.
This is an excellent survey. it is easy to read and understand and covers all the bases.
I just want y'all to know how much I appreciate the opportunity to share my opinions in the hopes that they are taken into consideration by our lawmakers.
Anyone with the power to make changes needs to live on $905 a month, shop at thrift stores, buy groceries at the least expensive grocery stores, forego beef of any kind, never see a doctor, drive 14 years-old cars while praying nothing major goes wrong requiring a several thousand dollar outlay.
Stop trying to change the payments to be fair, and fairly give back the money people contributed to social security. Policies will not change anything!
Pass a low to decrease the loop holes for the rich so they would have to pay more into SS and taxes and that includest high ranking Government employees.
Not allowing citizens to keep what they earn through any method will continue to erode the American people's incentive and grow a dependent non-productive society. Funding local, state, and federal responsibilities of protecting the American people comes first. All else is superfluous and can and should be decided at the ballot box.
I wish SS and Medicare were more income pegged. Why should someone like Warren Buffet receive the same benefits as older people? I have seen millionaires get free Hospice. Why?
People who already get a hefty retirement benefit need to be cut on benefits by at least 50%. Let them have what they paid in and that's enough. S.S. is not for the top 14% of the wealthiest americans. They shouldn't get a dime.
Mandatory drug testing for all welfare recipients. Welfare only to US citizens.
Anyone having accounts in off shore accounts should pay an additional 75% of all off shore accounts.
I enjoyed the scenarios and enjoyed completing this activity.
Adding more options would be nice instead of the narrow field that had to be answered which will only kick the can (social security problem) down the road further.
Once people would become physically ill if they knew that there was a cap on social security payroll taxes at $117,000. And we wonder why this country has 1 in 5 children going to bed(if they have one)hungry, and we wonder why there are problems in the inner cities. It's not a cops blacks issue. It's economic and cultural, but ti can be fixed. Disband SSA and pay everyone an equal percentage of what is owed to them baed on what they have put in and let them use it or invest it. It's their money. Otherwise we will continue to kick the can down the road with a bandaid approach and ultimately run out of blood. It was a great survey to do. I am very passionate about the concerns in our country for ALL people. There is to much lobbying that affects our policy makers. And that leaves out real opportunity for many who might have it otherwise if we tried to make the majority of what are false promises truths rather fiction for the voters. No I'm not running in 2016, but if I was you might vote for me...lol.
No work to contribute to SSA means NO benefits at any age. Different program/policy for those determined to be medically unable to work
What bevomes of fun ds from people who never collect SS .? Or that pass away before age 80?
Raising the retirement age is asinine. If people are living longer they should have more time to enjoy their retirement. By keeping people on the job longer you are also keeping them driving longer which will adversely affect road safety not to mention technology rifts and loss of productivity as well as efficiency . Autonomous vehicles will flop, FYI!
All Congress people should live by exact rules we do.
I believe that the disabled and handicapped should be given special consideration.
You did not include means testing social security. I think it would resolve the remaining shortfall if those with investment incomes exceeding a certain high level had to forego their benefits so that those less fortunate can live with simple dignity in retirement. I'm sorry, but in a nation that has seen almost all new wealth created in the last thirty years go to the wealthiest, means testing social security is absolutely necessary.
Good exercise, give it to all our congress and senators, then publish it.
1. BALANCE BUDGET 2. READ AND FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION. 3. ALL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES MUST PARTICIPATE IN SSAN/RETIREMENT PROGRAM. 4. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
What about those who are taking the social security but never earned it
The government should only provide for defense and basic civil liberties. Anything beyond the U.S. Constitution is too much. Everything not listed in the U.S. Constitution should be left to the states as the 10th amendment is written.
An interesting and informative simulation. Thank you!
The system is flawed and should slowly be phased out.
Congress needs to be more willing to compromise otherwise nothing will ever get done or change.
Don't assume everyone wants to fix these troubled programs. Many people would like to end almost all social programs. Please allow options for defunding and elimination
Speaking for myself, I know several people on disability who are "robbing" the plan. If I know a FEW and you know a FEW, how many are there??? My husband was denied a workers comp claim and despertly needs surgery.Life isn't always fair.
In some of the scenarios the numbers could be greater range. For example, tax all income not just wages and salaries. ALL including dividends, interest, grants, etc. The rich do not have much wages and salaries.
Social security should not be taken to compensate for short falls caused by the government. Social security is payed in by the he people for retirement, not to compensate a government that can not curb there spending.
I definitely think we should tax the wealthy more - there's no way they'll run out of money before they die, and lower/middle class seniors are struggling to get by or becoming a financial burden on their children who are already suffering from stagnated pay increases.
The SS Dept needs to make a decision sooner than Later
I don't really understand this question.
Increases in what we pay as taxes to keep the program going everyone should pay not just some of us. We are a nation not just a hand full of people. everyone should pay their fair share to ensure that we all live good lives
Allow for the options I stated above in the survey. Paying back what was taken out of the fund and reducing money given to other nations, especially ones that aren't our friends and allies!
I liked the scenarios. It's important to understand different policy options, and even though I may have disagreed with some, most of them were at least a little bit convincing one way or the other.
Pensions are a lot less common now and being cut, so we need to take care of the elderly.
WHY is this simulation not part of the voting process? It is a failure of our voting rights to allow politicians, who are affected by special interests, to control our future without our direct input.
I would like to see an option to raise the payroll tax only on employees and not on employers. Business already pay enough taxes and the self-employed should not be overly burdened.
I think that the age for early retirement also should be increased at the same rate as full benefits. Gradually raising it to 64 would help to lessen the loss of funds in the reserve.
It would be nice to see how many pages there are total as I'm going through, not just the progress meter, which seemed to be inaccurate.
I also believe if government officials had to rely on social security the same as the average American, they would take better care of how it's handled. I firmly believe there is a lot of wasteage in Government if those issues were resolved and eliminated them there would be no need to raise the retirement age, lower benefits or raise the percentage or duration of social security taxes from our paychecks.
Benefits should be given to people who need them no to people who are drug addicts or just to lazy to get a job
Add alternatives to SS rather than just ways to increase or decrease its shortfall.
Since it is lengthy, it would be better to be able to resume the simulation session where I left off, rather than page through the entire thing again.
short sighted to solve a problem that has better solutions.
Birth rate was addressed but immigration was not which also increases the population. Also, jobs need to be returned to the US especially manufacturing.
set up a system comparable to RR retirement
Maybe some areas to comment along the way?
seems a little long, and some of the questions are wordy, hard to understand.
This was a long, drawn out survey. It should be possible to pick up where left off instead of starting at the beginning every time a person goes back into the survey. Thanks for letting me participate.
Divert money from welfare non workers to fund money for people that have paid into the Social Security scam. If people have paid into something, they deserve to get it back.
My intelligence is insulted by proposals that try to pull on my heartstrings by using wording regarding the "poor elderly need our help". Also, I do not consider "wealthy" a negative adjective. The usage of that in political rhetoric simply spotlights the ignorance of the politicians. I do not believe in penalizing successful Americans on the basis that they have too much. They followed the American dream and won! Great for them! Their businesses create jobs and their income generates tax revenue.
Let the policy makers take a cut in pay or have a higher percentage of ssi tax on thier income
Increased benefits were not proposed. This is critical because defined benefit retirement plans have largely been eliminated, and mostly higher-income taxpayers contribute to 401ks.
Could probably explain self-employment tax a little more. As a tax accountant, I understood those parts just fine, but I know a lot of folks have trouble understanding it's full effect. It's a very important piece to consider with regard to changing rates.
View each citizen equally, without bias. The system should be fair across the board. Everyone pays the tax, everyone gets the same amount of benefits. There will be unique situations, but it doesn't help to solve this problem by splitting hairs and categorizing people based on their income. Tax is tax, and if you make more, you pay more in. That's just how it works.
enjoyed, now if we can get congress to get it together
Policy makers should live in our situations for a year before making decisions. No perks. We should have the same benefits and insurance they have...or better yet, they should have what we have and nothing more.
A good survey but you did not include questions about other SSA benefits (disability payments or payments for children etc.)which contribute (by how much I would love to know) to the shortfall.
If only Congress could be made to do this!!!
People need to pay into SS no matter how much they make, there should be no cap, only the rich politicians could have thought to protect themselves. How selfish this group of Americans are.
I can't help but feel that this process is oversimplified to the point of creating a desired outcome for the creators. It isn't that easy, and there are far more options than are presented here. I don't feel it is a valid poll.
There should be a question on if your retirement was reduced because of corporate raiders. My comp just reduced benefits my retirement by 40%. now ss wants to reduce? I don't know if I will have enough to retire!! how can I calc with so many unknowns. I am at the age where I need to put even more in.
We cannot continue to bring in undocumented people and give them benefits that our citizens need. There are so many U.S. citizens who need help and have contributed to our society. When will Dubai take in refuges?
There should also be an asset cap for receiving benefits. I know of people with millions in assets and savings still collecting social security checks. We should change the name from social security to Welfare, then maybe the rich will stop looking for handouts for something they do not need. Social security is not a government entitlement or a retirement program, although many see it as that.
All of congress should be part of the Social Security system and the separate federal system should be phased out. So that they have skin in the game.
Social security monies should not have been given to Congress.
i think you should have had more questions and scenarios on privatization. i have also seen proposals floated to where each newborn in the u.s. was given 2,000 at birth. with compoud returns over 65 years, the worth could exceed a million dollars. so the survey didn't even mention what i consider the best proposals
non government people would be in jail for taking other people's money so why should the employees of the government. The government needs to monitor themselves.
The republican party has painted themselves into a corner that does not allow for realistic solutions to the problems at hand. They need to wake up to the realities that face all Americans today. Policies that just benefit the upper class are not sustainable.
I have nothing to say other then other programs have impacted the middle class to the point of intolerance. They are not hearing the people.
The Federal Government needs to streamline the bureaucracy so that fewer employees work for the Federal Governments. This would released money to help fund shortfall in Social Security.
The simulation is an accurate exercise in how policy is framed and presented in our current government agency environment.
a national referendum is necessary, rather than a decision by "privileged" congress members who typically exempt themselves from the legislation.
This was eye-opening, and I enjoyed the challenge. Thank you.
Everything listed was based on liberal, left leaning policy, lets consider all approaches.
There should be laws to stop the abuse of both SSI and SSA. Random drug screening would reduce the abuse of benefits that are paid out by people just using the benefits for illegal drugs.
There was no where to put in our own opinion about how to handle social security. It wold have been great to be able to give an opinion of how I think it should be handled.
I am a degreed accountant and easily understood the proposals and % changes--BUT, I would say many people would have difficulties in trying to pick some of the alternatives.
Well done generally. But be a bit more comprehensive. The premise that "the shortfall should be fixed" is a very narrow and false one. Freedom lovers see a third, non-partisan, way. I would call it the moral option. Do what's right, but allowing free-willed people to live free and learn wisdom from life, to pass that wisdom on to their children... And not bury future generations under a mountain of debt that is caused by our refusal to accept the blessing of living within our means and trust the Voluntary compassion of those who've not been robbed by a group of powerful policy makers to pay for those who make unwise decisions. There is a better way. Present All solutions. The problem is Much bigger than the Social Security shortfall.
The survey is very well done. I understand the concept of forcing respondents to come down on one side or another of an issue, but I did have neutral feelings about some of the arguments and could not express them as neutral feelings.
If all the people on welfare paid their fair share there would not be a short fall
The simulation was well developed and showed very little partisanship. The only thing I would add would be sections regarding the above thoughts I shared about other investment options to lessen the shortfall.
I think overall it was a good simulation. It did help me understand our challenges going forward, while trying to ensure the future of our Social Security benefits will still be in place when we need them.
The survey wall balance and well done Making choices is difficult I wish my elected officials were as concerned as I am but they have their own retirement plan and are incapable of being leaders
Currently Social Security benefits are based on payroll taxes. Money the United States wastes on Pork Barrel Spending and funding ridiculous projects is unacceptable and should be redirected to Social Security to help retirees whose backs this Nation was built on.
Take the money from the "projects" that were borrowed from the trust fund and put it back plus intrest. Problem solved.
Ask seniors from all levels, not the upper echelon that have other income, how to make it better. Let us make the changes, not some little rich, wet-behind-the-ears politician who could never relate to our life. Most had family money to start with, some never worked a day in their life, wouldn't know how to hold a real job if they had to. So talk to real people & let the ones who have lived it, do the decision making!!!
why were social security funds spent for other things?
I love the format of these surveys. They have a lot of content yet are clear and succinct. I learn a lot from them. If you ever publish the survey itself, I would like to know since I think it would be very interesting to use in a policy class.
Abolish the government-maintained SS program and let the American people self-fund for their retirement or mandate that the current 6.2% employee portion and the 6.2% employer portion for a total of 12.4% of the employee's earnings be placed into some sort of long-term investment of the individual's choosing! In this scenario, neither the individual or the employer would see any negative impact on total income and the FED could cut all excess spending relating to SS.
Put politicians on our system under the same rules. They would then solve all the problems and the money in their fund would help everyone. It is the tax payers money anyway.
The age for receiving full benefits should be raised to age 70 by 2026.
Why do we have inflation? why do prices have to keep going up? Put a cap on that, and wages can catch up.
Congress should not have a separate retirement & those gunds should be used to shore up Social Security of which they can benefit from as well.
Raising the retirement age keeps them in the workforce and keeps the younger ones from entering their slots.
This was well put together. While a participant may rate an argument as ineffective does not mean that that person disagrees with the position. I know part of this simulation is to help policy makers craft the right words to "sell" the plan to the public.
We should get our insurance free and health care. When we paid our health care and insurance it nothing hard left for other expense.
People, like myself who are barely making it because I am over educated and have too much experience have exhausted our savings because of the loss of jobs and other losses during the recession. Congress should spend the money they send to other countries on our citizens and close down illegal immigration, fewer people paying in is a result of illegal workers.
Unfortunately too many of our citizens are dependent on the government for "survival". Many of them vote so how we make real changes in this political environment will almost be impossible. This should have been done before the "Baby Boomers" started they started retiring. Your approach is reasonable but too long and complicated for our population that does not read, watch news and have a 60 sec attention span. I think you need to "qualify" respondents" with a detail so you get respondents who have a basic understanding of the subject ie a quick test plus demographics. Keep up the good work. Thank you for the forum.
Better idea what jobs average old people work. Walmart greeters, other horribly depressing ones. Also note that we got billionaires as old as our grandparents, so just because they're old doesn't mean they don't make some serious bank. Make it clear we got old people in dire need, and old people in zero need.
This was a pretty well designed and informative survey.
minimum payments should go up for the poor to a minimum that is at least above poverty level
Too many questions presented were skewed to embrace SS with increased taxes and benefits . . . deviating from the original intent of SS an insurance program to supplement individuals who may survive in their twilight years).
Have everyone including Congress pay more for retiement. Place them on Social Security as well. No one is above the law.
This is great, very effective and educating.
I like the presentation of the different arguments, I like the order of their presentation and the way you recombined them. My problem: it is not fun at all and "feels" long (it is not)... But I have no suggestion for a good metaphore for these pros and cons... Metaphores are the millennia-old way of expressing complex problems... maybe you could ask 2 or 3 novelists to write a mythological story/game? with your questions as challenges? Or go the way of the fairy tale... in the forest, solidarity between the generations/ no solidarity... with one, two... possible evolution of the situation: which story would the reader prefer? which sections feel more convincing? could they be combined? Just trying to ask the public to contribute to the debate with the help of its own imagination. Could be tested in a state where people read a lot... Maine? Minnesota? New Mexico? "The Search for SocSec2" ? This feels to me like a problem that requires a lot, a lot of imagination... One of the most difficult problems of our society.
Stop calling Social Security an 'entitlement' We all worked damn hard paying into it and we will never pull out all that was paid in.
I firmly believe with all my heart that we need to take the cap off of Social Security, enabling the system to survive.
have a 2 term limit for congress and senate, cut there retirement, they should have the same insurance they passed called Obama care
This was interesting. The questions were completely leading which is exactly what our politicians do. It's pinning one group "the elderly" against the "rich" when the issue should be about everyone- all of our money is being mis-spent by our politicians who get a large retirement plan that we also pay for! Where in the options is the choice to decrease their lifetime payments?
Don't give us only two bad options for management .
THIS WAS A GREAT THOUGHT PROVOKING SIMULATION. GLAD TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF IT. THANK YOU
Spend less money on helping other countries
I'm not sure how to respond, my prayer is for the younger generation. I just hope they will have the privilege I have now.
Stop the government from stealing from the SS account which would solve the overall 'shortcoming'!
Based on my life experience, I was a stay-at-home mom for a large portion of my working age and at my retirement, of course this hurt my income. I do not know what the answer to this is, but "homemakers" need something.
Did not know about the cap on taxing income. All income should be part of SS. I think the benefits should not exist if you have over X in a retirement fund (excess of 2 million).
Policy needs to be set in a practical way so that something like Obama Care does not get passed into law when the majority of people don't want it. Farm subsidies should be removed for items like sugar that are bad for health.
Address the options above in the questioning process.
Make social security finances untouchable for any reason other than what they are earmarked for, which is the purpose of American taxpayers to be able to sustain a semblance of decent living standards that they were promised when entering the workforce, and having these funds deducted for their earnings each payday.No one, who has not paid into this fund except for legitimate spouses or children under 18 years of age should be entitled. The main problem with any social program based on trust, seems to be subjected to misuse and adulteration. Greed!
INSTEAD OF MESSING WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS? HOW ABOUT NOT NOT NOT NOT GIVING BILLIONS TO OTHER COUNTRY'S! TAKING AWAY BENEFITS FOR CITIZENS OF THE USA WHILE GIVING MONEY TO IRAN???? ASININE! STUPID OBAMA!!
Have some discussion of the reality of the situation...that the trust fund is an accounting fiction, that the real problem is holistic, namely, that the economy may not produce enough revenue in total to pay for all of government spending.
All Government employees should be under S S , not their own government paid policy, how did they get that done without the public knowledge.
Have everyone pay a flat tax of 10 % based on their income.
Sorry to say this, but the government is broke and corrupt. It doesn't work. Nothing is going to be fixed until the government is fixed. A country divided cannot work at fixing even the most simple problem. Most politicians are too busy getting rich and power that they don't work with anyone unless it profits them. This is wrong.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! You opened my eyes to our realities. I want more of similar, significant, meaningful surveys.
the waste, fraud and lies the illegal people tell SS to get benefits when they hvn't paid any monies into SS. I see this everyday in el paso texas. all the people frm Juarez mexico standing in lines at SS office to get SS,food stamps,free housing and free health care and a cell phone! wht did they pay into SS!?!?
Only comment the government has taken money originally in the system and diverted it to other areas and blame the short fall on low birth rate and a booming retirement age group
All taxpayers should be withheld for SS payments AND there should be NO cap....why should there be... OR the govt needs to invest in SS more instead of spending so much on defense and funding wars.
Very enlightening and enjoyable. Thanks for letting me take part!
I would like ideas on defunding some welfare programs currently being funded by SS.
I'm not enough of a statistician or economist to be able to have much of an input in this field. Interesting survey. Thanks, KLD
This is great. I hope congress has similar programs to make decisions!!!
It's by not spending on what it was not supposed to be spent on
If a person makes more, they should pay more into the SS bank!
Make the amount for retirement and disability for everyone equal do no one lives in poverty. Decreasing benefits just puts more burden on the Medicaid and food stamp programs and other assistance programs to help those under poverty levels.
Take more money out of pay roll checks to pay social taxes, so that there will be more money going into the fund.
Definitely put some new policies in place to save social security for future generations who will deserve to have this benefit. Implement change!
The Social Security should be paid back for all the money that the government "borrowed" years back.
Lawmakers need to stop worrying about their next election and make the hard decisions about how to fix social security. If it means younger people work a longer in the work force do it. If it means everyone pays a little more into social security do it. Young people don't think about themselves at age 67 or 70 they are young so why do lawmakers think young people will care today. Increase of .05 a year do really think people care about those kind of numbers in comparison to saving their retirement. At somewhere in time taxes will go up why not for our future retirement. Investing in people can never be wrong.
I wish the people that make the policy listen to what the people say and need
Make the politicians who wastefully spent the SS money pay it all back.
any changes must be implemented slowly and with fair warning so seniors may adjust
It's a good program, but I don't think it takes all reasons for the shortfall into consideration, such as people receiving SSI benefits. Where does that fall into the equation?
All members of govenrment should be on social security and medicare instead of drawing hundreds of thousand dollars.
None - Thanks for allowing me to participate.
Yes, why can't congress make these decisions as quick and easily as I did....
Also when a veteran dies that spent many tours in Vietnam and the death certificate doesn't indicate why death it is unfair that the person alive can't get their pension. They need to help veterans that are alive.
Faulty premisis and assumptions produce very faulth results.
Thank You. It was very helpful and informative. Don't change a thing.
Take social security out of the general fund so Congress cannot spend it into oblivion, put it back into a trust and let it collect the interest it was supposed to when it was set up under FDR. This was not supposed to be an entitlement. This was supposed to be an assistance program that you paid into and the money was held to collect interest to help in your golden years.
The survey deals simply with correcting a problem that the government created by taking money out of the system for years booth democratic and republican.
If everyone would pay into Social Security. I mean everyone no exceptions. The government borrows the money or invests it the interest alone would pay the recipients. If we pay back what has been taken form Social Security we will find that there is not a shortfall. Until the Congress and Senate relies on Social Security for there retirement like the rest of us it will never be managed correctly or funded correctly. In closing being a mechanic all my life I would just like to think about how you have increased my retirement age and reduced my retirement income.
This simulation assumes that the mentioned options are the only ones.
All American citizens employed and employers whether you are rich upper class, middle class and low income class should pay for Social Security. Equality should be practiced in this issue. Rich folks have the means to have a retirement savings and investments They should not have special treatment because the make more money.
Sims like this are pretty lame. You never bring up any interesting options. You know, the sort of thing that might REALLY fix the problem.
don't know the right answer for social security, but have a feeling I won't ever see it.
You should be able to enter comments at each section because some of the proposals appeared to be based on opinions rather than facts.
Congress should not be allowed to rid social security account to fund anything other than social security.
Social security is not an entitlement, but something which I contributed to and just because Congress has been 'borrowing' from it for years to cover the budget is where the problem lies, not with the program.
The solutions all assume SS is a good program that should be saved. I think it is a horrible program that should be replaced by a system of private accounts where only a fraction of the excess taxes if higher earners are used to supplement lower earners private accounts. Or get rid of it entirely and expect people to find their own retirement while providing some welfare benefits for the indigent.
Eliminate/reduce monies given to other countries until financial issues are resolved in the USA.
So many aging Americans are taking care of themselves and living longer full lives. It makes sense to raise retirement age and allow those who want to and are able to continue enjoying the satisfaction their career brings. There should be some leveling and justification to reap from those who are paid 'under the table' for manual labor and immigrants which Americans are paying for.
Our legislative branch is broken! Now they are working on breaking the judicial branch!!!
The elected officials should NOT be entitled to retirement benefits similar to federal workers ... once the significant waste is eliminated, and the federal government finally decides to live within their budget ... then these shortfalls will begin to disappear. Elected officials receive enormous speaking and consulting fees upon leaving office ... if they can't manage their lifestyle from these fees, they deserve to suffer the consequences!
put some one in charge of investing the money instead of letting the gov. keep withdrawing money out of it for obamo care,illegal aliens medical and etc.
loaded questions...rarely gave a clear cut option
I have learned a lot with all this information. thanks
It would be nice to have a video and text option describing situations since I know people sometimes tend to skim over things. Also an estimate of how long the survey will take would be nice since people might open this without knowing it will take a while and then not complete it.
higher month check and the age to retire is also crazy
There is no reason in the world why people making over $115 a year are not being taxed on every dollar they make just like regular people.
Make all in gov. pay and retire on SS like the rest of us. take away all there special privilege.
I would think that capping the amount the rich receive would help out tremendously. They don't really need this assistance. I never would have gone into education if I had known years ago that losing 2/3 of my SS would happen to me after 25 years of working with our children. I loved my job, but what a horrible reward at the end of this cruel penalty.
I think we need to target the non-working people and get them into the work force to start contributing. Stop allowing illegals into our country and if they are working, tax them as everyone else. No exceptions.
It was a great program. Thanks for what I've learned about social security.
This was very interesting. I've never seen this approach to a survey before. I liked it.
combine congress pensions with social security
The options were very limited and some that should be looked at were not even offered or hinted at. Government is not the answer. Get the federal government out of the way so personal growth can happen.
Get rid of Social Security all together and allow people in invest in their chosen savings funds. Be that 401K, Bank Retirement Savings Accounts, Real Estate, or Insurance Policies. People are smart if you allow them to be. If one has to work over retirement age because they didn't earn enough earlier in their lives, then that will be their choice. If what they are doing now doesn't allow them to provide for themselves in the future, they will have to figure that out and change their future. After 15 years of poverty we got tired. We changed our future and switched careers by going back to school. Let people be accountable for their own futures and keep the government out of my grocery money.
I would have supported taxing more people, if the tax increase were to hit the top 10% or so. But $70,000 a year is really not that much, and I wouldn't want to tax them more.
I love doing these. I think in my head I have the perfect answer for every problem, but then when I am asked to actually fix the problem, my perfect answers don't seem so perfect anymore. I liked the defense spending one more than this one, but this one hit closer to home for me. I think if more people did simulations like this, they would understand why it is so hard to find a policy that makes everyone happy.
Be sure to include actual numbers to illustrate what is meant by things such as "those making more money" etc.
Add a regular "convincing" and "unconvincing" option with what's already there.
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute!
Don't allow people who did not pay into the system for over 20 years to pull out of social security.
Very straight-forward easy to understand arguments.
have a money saving enewletter for those age 20-60 who are saving for retirement. Get those over 50 years of age whose worth is over $5 million dollars to voluntarily opt out of social security.
Perhaps include some data/options to deal with social security disability benefits as well as retirement benefits to see how that impacts the shortfall. Perhaps it is a small impact, but I don't know.
From what is purported to be a Christian nation, it behooves those with the majority of revenue to pay more into the coffers that benefit the majority of the people in this "Christian" nation. 70-year-old Caucasian female who worked 51 years and did not take Social Security until age 70 and supported three children on a high school education. Obviously not one of the wealthy.
We need solutions that will work for the good of all citizens.
Sorry can't think of a way to satisfy congress.
Before beginning any of the surveys, I'd appreciate a rough idea of the average time expected to complete it. I could, then, allot the needed time so that the survey would be done in one fell swoop instead of piecemeal.
I feel you did a great job presenting the information in a very easy to understand and follow format. In particular the last page with the %'s solving it like a worksheet was nice.
I thought this was a good eye-opening look at the problem confronting social security and the decisions that lawmakers will have to make. I feel now that the people making the decisions will at least be well informed of the consequences of their decisions.
An area that hasn't been addressed is cutting expenditures in the overall budget. I work for a school system and my salary is paid by a combination of state and local fundings. In 2008-2009 when the economy went south and for a number of years we received no raises. My sister works for the federal government and there wasn't a year that she didn't get a raise. Not that I want to take money out of her pocket, but the federal government should not be exempt from sacrifice. One way to save a significant amount of money is to award smaller or no COLAs for a certain period of time and bank those savings into Social Security OR institute a job freeze except for essential positions and allow those savings to be diverted to Social Security,
increase the living Wage and cost of living so that it all evens out in the end,no matter how long someone Works--that's the root of our economic problems. the cost of living hasn't been adjusted to reflect an increase in wages.
The number scales were better for rating the questions. The word choice answers gave a different opinion in that you wanted to know if they were convincing versus if I agreed with them.
Social Security should not be considered a 'slush fund' for Congress to play with. Social Security should never be used for welfare, WIC, EBT, etc...
A concerted effort to seek out tax evaders would help. It is always true that you spend money to make money.
factor in the death benefits in the policy to get better numbers
Very well done. Really framed the problem and the solutions.
You do a very good job with the policymaking simulation. Keep up the good work.
Look at government pay and drop that to meet the shortfall.
Individual Retirement Plans should be enacted instead of Social Security taxes.
Raising taxes does NOT raise revenue. see the 1980s where tax cuts increased revenue by almost double.
Great exercise/tool to make you consider the effect of trade offs.
Policy makers should take into account that individuals receiving SSA benefits also are paying state and federal taxes on the amounts that they receive, thus paying back into the fund. Also Medicare premiums increase every year so the COLA is always wiped out plus money is usually taken away from the check. Even while receiving SSA benefits we are still paying our way. Make it stop and stop increasing Medicare premiums.
It is a difficult thing to do in an objective and fair way. I think you did a god job.
It was too long. I started to lose focus toward the end and just wanted it to be over.
this was very informative and I wish there was a way to share this simulation more broadly. I am now more hopeful that there are good options that don't include reducing benefits.
Add the option of privatazation of Social Security.
Policies are limited in options to make decisions.
The survey presented the possibilities fairly and concisely. Plus, it was very interesting to see the graphs and charts.
I thought it was a well thought out simulation.
Social Security needs an overhaul and all of the aspects in this survey need to be solved...Congress is elected by the people for a reason and this is one of their jobs to eliminate the shortfall of Social Security without raising taxes to cover it...there are enough Congresspeople to do this and it can be done!!!
The survey was totally unbiased ensuring a more honest answers. Thank You.
Allow people to choose an option for personal accounts for SS, scored as the actuaries scored Paul Ryan's proposal in 2004 and 2005. What people choose then would be very instructive. By leaving this option out, your whole policy simulation is worthless. Talk to Chief Actuary of SS, and Paul Ryan.
Only people who have paid in for a certain number of years (10+) should receive payments and any reductions to benefits should be based on actual earnings from pensions and not assumed amounts.
I think it was very well done. If I were still teaching I would have liked to use this with my 6th graders during the government unit I taught.
Overall great simulation. The summary at the end was great, and the fact you can see how much of the shortfall you can change!
Democrats & Republicans should put aside their egos and work together on this important issue.
The last exercise (balancing the shortfall) was excellent and very thought-provoking.
Simulation presented ideas clearly. Initial section facilitates understanding. Second makes consequences of decisions real.
A mobile version would be nice. Otherwise very easy to use and complete. Being able to pick up where I left off since it took me a couple attempts to have the time to finish.
I'd sure love to see how the data is used after I fill out your survey.
Some options should have "no change". I particularly the increase in the tax by a percentage every year.. it personally would want the cap removed!
Simplify the arguments and clarify the questions as to being pro or con. I needed to read the verbiage several times to get the right slant on what it was trying to get across. Overall, this was very interesting and substantive.
Could you use a slightly larger font size.
I only get $286.00 a month on social security because I am being penalized for having worked for the Government, but yet , I have all my Social Security credits. Policy makers sometimes don't realize how they hurt people instead of helping them. I am a US citizen and only getting $286.00 on social security, I am angry and like I said I hope they repeal the current law that stands.
More oversight should be done on people collecting Disability payments.
I don't know many people who are able to work after 80years old... Social security should be able to cover their living expenses from at least age 75 on in reality. And not just pay bare minimum expenses. Those who worked hard all their life and planned ahead will have greater quality of life but those who didn't shouldn't live in poverty in America. Seriously! There has got to be a better way.
Make all of our government employees live with the same retirement system that I have to live with also the health care and take away there full retirement benefits that they receive after only one or two terms. this is steeling from there constituents.
Stop giving social security to people that are met Americans or have only come here to get benefits. If a person has not worked here in this country then they should not be able to draw benefits just because they are elderly.
More access to solutions which don't hit the worker or beneficiary in the wallet would have been nice.
Some questions seemed slanted, but overall, it was pretty fair.
Start a website like the ones for startup companies and funding. It would pull together the best of the best in this country for ideas, and then the people will be working for the people.
been undermining and screwing over the social security and federal retirees for far too long. Now we have these illegal aliens and foreigners sucking and milking our benefits and the welfare system, thanks to the leaders of our country.
It is well crafted and is explained very well.
Stop other entitlement programs in which people benefit for doing nothing or contributing nothing, not from programs that have been paid for by employees during their working years.
very well thought-out, and so much better than most dumbed-down surveys that I see and hear.
Very good job of making a complex issue understandable
Some option were not offered, i.e., eliminating any SS benefit for the very rich.
Good simulation. Explain up front that all recommendations would only effect future retirees.
Would like to see a 'privatize social security' option. There's a big group of individuals that believe that the government should not be responsible for people's retirements.
tax the corporations they don't need welfare
Nice job, scenarios should be broadened.
There is no option to increase taxes on particular income rates, or to cut benefits entirely, for rates(such as 250K+), but not affect "middle class" range. These options would significantly affect the shortfall.
It was a good simulation. It was easy to do and simple to understand.
I am a VOTER -- it was wonderful to be included in the shortfall of Social Security. P.S. I was a farmer's daughter and liked the idea that I got my first paycheck in the form of a check and opened my first bank account when I was 16. We must work and pay proper taxes. Thank you.
Have more support for those that are mildly disabled Many of us in my population want to work but the government is not there for us
Legislators should be required to use this type of decision making rather than continually kicking the can down the road.
with the proper checks and balances in place from the inception of social security the shortfall wouldn't exist for future generations!
I also don't like illegals getting money for hospitalization and schooling and not working with a green card. People who work should pay into Social Security and not be free loaders.
Eliminate any fraud concerning social security
Use charts, don't use government bill and legislation paragaphs that are tough to understand which side of the fence people are standing on. Either it is for the raising, or against the raising. For the short fall or against the short fall. Don't slip stupid sentences that contradict the idea of the paragraph.
Lobbying to "buy" the votes of a person in congress should be completely illegal.
All of Congress really has no idea what "normal" really earn as a living. Congress has conections-better health perks-makes more money than who they "represent" therefore should live one month a year to get back to reality. Most make choices on what they want.
Giving the facts of what the increases will be takes the fear out.
Politicians make policy making a headache, nobody is ever completely satisfied and nobody is willing to compromise an inch. This is an insult to our "democratic" way of life. We live in a world of compromises, politicians like to think that they do not.
Social Security is really a pyramid scam. It should be fazed out for mandatory personal savings insured by the Government.
it was relatively easy for me as an individual to decide how to solve the problem. Getting large groups of people to evaluate these proprosals and agree on one way to solve the problem is difficult to say the least. For example, those making over 117,000 are not going to want to pay the SS t ax on their income over that amount. Most of Congree makes that much! This is like the fox guarding the henhouse!!
STOP THE INVASION OF OUR COUNTRY BY THOSE WHO COME HERE TO ROB OUR COUNTRY BLIND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Make it impossible for The Govt to give themselves free bees....
do away with the entire system or come up with a new one and have it start with that years new generation of babies being born, everyone else is grandfathered into the current one. you get back what you put in. boom. solved..
I wish more people would take the time to do these exercises, the general population might come off a little more informed.
Since Investing Produces Revenue(s), I Believe We The People Should Be "Allowed" to Invest Our SS Taxes, CONSERVATIVELY, IN The Stock Market!! The Federal Government Does NOT Understand Making Money Work, The Fed SQUANDERS BILLIONS, Monthly!!!
Have the survey question the disability and minor children benefits.
How much waste is in the system itself? Funds paid after people die and to people that did not work still getting paid.
The end result must be what is right for the retiree, not what is politically correct or best for the politicians career.
Simulation was informative and I was happy to be part of the survey.
Stop going into the fund and using it for other shortfalls. People who have worked all their lives and put money into the fund should be the recipients! Take care to supplement the incomes of the elderly!
I could see a lot of the cultural marxism language employed as well as its right leaning counterpart.

O_QD3OTHER. Other: Which one of the following candidates would you most prefer for President? (OPEN END)
Not a single one of those candidates appeals to me
its a circus and I havent picked the ring leader yet
none of the above but will have to pic one
Someone other than a politician who tells you what you want to hear to get elected and then completely go the other way when they get in office.
still undecided but Sanders is my last choice
Not Trump, he's an embarrassment to the USA
they are all billionaire crooks in my opinion
There are currently no good choices, so I'm holding out for an independent that doesn't suck as much as this sorry lot.
quite frankly none of them :( I wish Mitt Romney would have run again
NONE OF THE ABOVE, however a businessman rather than a political hack is enticing
ROSS PEROT in the early '90's ----GENIUS ---but THEY Buffoned him because he would have msade too many changes FOR the People and the Big $$$ Guys WILL HAVE NOTHING OF THAT!
I am not convinced that these are the best for the country candidates
I would like to have a choice betwen Bernie, Hillary, and Bloomberg
Totally don't know!! They are all scary!!!!!
cannot believe these are the best we can do!!!!!
not decided yet, but want the present administration cleaned out like yesterday!
someone who is better then all these chooses
O'Malley vs Kasich would have been the BEST race for the US.
Someone who is able to create jobs! Get every college student working
Sad to say, I do not want any of these to be our President.
I don't really care for any of their campains
I am not convinced anyone is capable of Improving the U.S A
NONE OF THE ABOVE,GO BACK AND START AGAIN
The current slate of Democrats and Republicans are worthless
We need better choices from our two party system.
All 2016 candidates are not eligible to represent this great conuntry. This has turned into a media frenzy election that has lost its true nature and all it stands for in our history.
Cynthia McKinney Ross Pirot Ralph Nader Jill Reed
None. None of them are truthful Clinton and Trump are downright scary, Trump reminds me of Hitler. We all remember what he did, right?
At this time I do not see a qualified candidate.
soomeone with morals & integrity of heart
None are uniquely qualified, however unfortunately all of the Republican candidates make me shiver because of their lack of sense, sensibilities, decorum, and more. The two Democrats don't make me jump for joy either. How sad that there are such slim pickings for such a hugely responsible role.
A reasonable, socially liberal, militarily strong, patriotic person (any sex/color/ethnicity) who loves America, is God-fearing and intellectually superior.
I like the idea of a Donald Trump, someone who is not a Career Politician, but not as polarizing and in love with themselves as Donald Trump is.
I am embarrassed by all the choices. Where are the normal, everyday, people with sensible behaviors?
Not decided but definitely NOT Hilary Clinton
A independant person that does what the people want not the polititsons.
hoping someone who is actually in touch with the majority of Americans will step up. None of the current candidates actually represent my constituents.
Someone like Ben Carson with more oomph!
I have yet to come to a conclusion on who will get my vote.
they all are a bunch of self serving schmeckels
literally non of the above! There has to be better, more middle of the road, moderate, qualified people out there who can speak for the people and NOT for big business!!!
Not excited about any of them. (Bush is out by-the by.) Probably will vote for Hillary, but your question asked who I would prefer; I prefer none of them.
I'm sad about the selection of candidates. Either they're crazy, too religious, self centered or wimpy. The world will never take us seriously again after this election.
not impressed with any candidate at this time.
I honestly don't care for any of these candidates.
Someone honest and trustworthy. None of the current candidates fit the bill.
Anyone interested in a flat tax proposal
Don't like any of the choices. Some are even scary.
tie between Bernie & Hillary; I like his policies but she has more govt. experience even though she is a liar and in the pockets of Wall Street executives
Someone who is not a democrat or republican. Someone who is not a bitter blue-collar worker or entitled white collar worker. Someone who is not part of a special group whose status will afford them additional undue positive bias during the election. Someone who used a reasonable amount of money for their campaign and succeeded due to the respect they garnered, not the votes they bought.
The Republican Party has very poor choices. Having poor choices is like having no choice at all. Although I have been a Republican for 53 years, I would rather vote for Hillary Clinton...