The average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker is about $1,177

trumad

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Thu Jul-07-11 07:53 AM
Original message

The average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker is about $1,177

in 2011.

That's 294.25 a week.

Now--- I'm not sure how much my Mother-In-Law takes in from Social Security---but I do know she pays about 500.00 in prescription drugs---costs Medicare do not pay.

So---let's say she does make 1177---subtract 500 = $677.00 divided by 4 = 169.25 a week.

Again---she make a little more or a little less... and I can pretty much guarantee that there are elderly folks out there with more difficult situations than this.

So here's the $64,000 question--- if SS is cut like it looks like it's going to be.... will my Mom-In-Law and others get less money?

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Enrique

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Thu Jul-07-11 07:55 AM
Response to Original message

1. your mom, probably not

whatever they do, they won't affect current retirees, because current retirees vote like crazy.

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alsame

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Thu Jul-07-11 07:57 AM
Response to Original message

2. My guess is that they wouldn't touch current benefits and will

make changes for those under 55.

Of course, I'm just speculating.

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B-Stupid

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Thu Jul-07-11 07:59 AM
Response to Reply #2

4. Exactly

I'm 36 and will probably never receive a dime of SS although I'll probably pay into it for the reset of my life..

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w8liftinglady

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Thu Jul-07-11 07:57 AM
Response to Original message

3. then they will match the patients I see who haven't reached Medicare/SS age yet

There is "X" amount of money that can be spent on medications.When the incoming income doesn't equal the outgoing bills...something has to give.
Heart Meds vs electric bill...
I see it all the time.

I feel for your mom... and my mom.

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trumad

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Thu Jul-07-11 08:00 AM
Response to Reply #3

5. She's always broke...

we send her money constantly--- of course I'm OK with that.

I can't imagine if she did not have family.

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hobbit709

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Thu Jul-07-11 08:00 AM
Response to Original message

6. How'd you guess.

My mother lives on about $900/mo total from SS and pension. Luckily she lives in a subsidized retirement apartment that costs her $200/mo all bills paid except for phone and internet-which my brother pays. She has diabetes and arthritis so she spends over $250/mo on medications.

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asjr

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Thu Jul-07-11 08:18 AM
Response to Reply #6

9. I am in the same situation. I live in

a complex as your mom. Not having to pay utilities has been a blessing. I pay $300.00 monthly. If I didn't have that I would not make it. I pay for my own cable, phone and internet.

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MannyGoldstein

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Thu Jul-07-11 08:01 AM
Response to Original message

7. Right away, her yearly COLA increases will be cut dramatically

Assuming that Obama's Commission's recommendations' become law, benefits will eventually be cut by 22% due to a combination of COLA cuts and raised retirement age:

http://www.handsoffss.org/what-is-the-deficit-commission-why-did-it-recommend-deep-cuts-in-social-security.html

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msongs

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Thu Jul-07-11 08:17 AM
Response to Original message

8. after paying in for a lifetime, mine is being chopped by 50% for working a job for 10 years. govt =

thieves.

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WI_DEM

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Thu Jul-07-11 08:18 AM
Response to Original message

10. They will change the retirement age to 100 for those under 50 and be done with it.

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Ozymanithrax

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Thu Jul-07-11 08:38 AM
Response to Original message

11. The reports say 4 trillion over 12 years...

That is a big number, and unless they cuts things now they will not reach that number. They can not say that only people under 50 will see a cut, because that won't affects things within tht 12 year window. How much of that 169.25 will they have to take to make your mother or mine feel it?

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