Social Security and the Age of Retirement

Washington, D.C. - A new report released by the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) shows that the increase in life expectancy in the U.S. over time has had a two-fold effect. For younger workers, increased longevity and higher productivity will permit longer retirements. But the decision to raise the retirement age from 65 to 67 took back much of these gains for a generation of workers.

"For women in particular, the increase in working years means that they will see a length of retirement virtually the same as their parents." said David Rosnick, an economist at CEPR and author of the report.

The study, "Social Security and the Age of Retirement," demonstrates that, historically, life expectancy at birth is not an accurate indicator of how working lives and retirements both have grown over time.

The analysis suggests that a lengthier retirement does not necessitate raising the retirement age or direct cuts in Social Security.

http://www.cepr.net/index.php/press-releases/press-releases/social-security-and-the-age-of-retirement/

There is no way I can afford to retire. Ever. I'll work till I can't anymore. Bottom line.

I'm saving my own money because I KNOW I wont receive SSI

SS retirement checks are what you want.

it's not funded through social security taxes.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes):


It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income; and

It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/


SSI is a welfare program; anyone can get it, even if they never paid a dime into the system.

Social Security is a worker-funded retirement insurance program; only those who paid into the system or their dependent/survivors can get it.

Specific criteria exist to qualify for SSI. Its a system that needs an overhaul but there are criteria to meet.

of course there are income & wealth rules, but my purpose was to distinguish it from an insurance-style program such as SS.

Lawyers love the laws and regulations as is because they represent people who are turned down.

SSI makes monthly payments to people who have low income and few resources and are:

•Age 65 or older;
•Blind; or
•Disabled.

no diagnosis required except poverty if you're over 65.

But you will receive Social Security if you qualify for it.

The issue with the retirement age is that people age at different rates. Even 65 is too high for some people -- way too low for others. Raising the retirement age puts more people at risk who have aged more rapidly (which, by the way, is more common among minority workers). Social Security need have no fiscal problems in future -- simply eliminate (or substantially raise) the income cap on FICA taxes.

I do hope they make a distinction between those who toil at hard physical labor, and those who get to sit their fat ass in a chair, like I do. Some jobs are just too demanding to work at till you're 70, no matter how much life expectancy goes up.

raising the retirement age is unfair in any case, and especially so for so many occupations


(but, ironically, and i may be wrong here, but some articles suggest the desk jobs are super unhealthy; what do you think?)

Not enough exercise. I have one & I gained 60 pounds over the years. Now my doctor tells me I have to get rid of it or suffer the consequences.

when you figure that you're sedentary, but if a person wants to make up for that by an excercise program on their own, I see that as a way around that problem. With physically demanding jobs, the only remedial plan is to rest, and if you've got the other necessities of life to take care of, you might not be able to get enough of that.

Is your board name supposed to be ironic?

when I think of those who are well off and will never need SS, and how they are systematically trying to destroy it for the rest of us, I get really really pisses me off. They are fucking with my life!!!