Ryan Pushing Means Testing for SS Benefits?

10/9/13 | Originalbuckeye

[originalbuckeye]

I just heard my Conservative radio hosts discussing what is being put on the table by the Republicans in the House. They said Ryan is pushing means testing for SS benefits.

[GailA]

We thought about that, won’t work, I lent her the money to buy it in the first place, and how is she supposed to pay a lease when she can’t work to make a payment? And she will not work as long as she is on Chemo and this other 6 week drug. Oncologist has already stated that. She works in the health field with old sick people, not a place to be when you are on Chemo.

This is one if those damned if you do and damned if you don’t hard places you the little guy can’t win.

[PapaBear3625]

We thought about that, won’t work, I lent her the money to buy it in the first place, and how is she supposed to pay a lease when she can’t work to make a payment?

If you lent her the money, then she can sign the car back to you in repayment of the loan, then you put it in your name, and let her use it.

Doing anything is better than just being upset by how bad things are.

[DJtex]

We can replace it with a welfare program for the poverty stricken elderly.

"Means testing," a great 'Pubbie buzzword being turned against their own followers, sounds "fair" but SSI is not welfare. Means testing wouldn't stay constant. The annual "wealth" cutoff adjustment automatically balances SSI, cutting the number of qualified recipients to match that year's declining revenue. Eventually it covers only the poorest Americans; those with the lowest wealth and savings.

It would be fairer to shave SSI outgo a few percentage points for everyone than to say that if you paid in and put aside savings you don't deserve to have the government honor it's empty promises in your "Golden years."

[GailA]

we don’t have the funds as seniors to take the car back and put ins on it. We like a lot of Americans are living check to check. Lending her the money took half what I had saved from my SS check by doing what I’ve always done when money is tight scrimp and do with out. They have not learned that lesson yet.

She can cash out the 401K and pay the rent for 2 weeks because after taxes that is about all she’d have left of it.

It’s come down to they have habits to give up cigs for one and cable for another, neither is necessary and that would help pay at least the rent.

What little savings I have has to last me for the rest of my life if something happens to my husband, as I do not qualify for any of his benefits as we have only been married 5 years. We were both widowers and he had things set up as a single man who never expected to remarry in his late 60’s, and most have to stay that way especially his Navy pension.