topic Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018 in Community Chat

Just got my Social Security info for 2018

viva923 — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 18:56:10 GMT

After all withholdings, Medicare, and other such stuff taken out.

I made a grand total of $5.00 per month over 2017.

Medicare skyrocketed for me. Remember that raise we got LOL. it was gone in one second.

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

Jannyg — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 18:58:29 GMT

I'm losing $30 a month in 2018.

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

tansy — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 19:11:13 GMT

Everyone needs to be paying attention to what’s going on nationally. There’s another way to compute the increases that is harsher than the present method.

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

gizmogal — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 19:13:28 GMT

I will net $22 a month more with the 2% SS raise against the increase for Medicare Part B premium.

I’m glad to see any increase as my SS is the major part of my income. So I’m not sneering at an extra $22 every month. I’ll appreciate it and give it use towards bills and other expenses. .

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

maximillian — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 19:50:12 GMT

$5.00 per month increase for me. Last year I received NO increase.

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

Annabellethecat66 — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 19:51:53 GMT

Well, I don't understand any of it. I get my late husband's social security because way way back when I worked the government (which I worked for) didn't take out social security.

I do know that last year in one month my social security payments to me went from $2,200 a month to $1,800 per month. Have no idea why, it just changed just like that.

I know this sounds stupid but I honestly feel this way. I know my husband paid a lot of money into social security over the years. However, I also believe if a person is in a very high income bracket they shouldn't receive social security. I wouldn't mind not getting it IF (and that's a real IF) I thought it would increase the amount people who need the money to live on would get more.

It just is unbelievable to me that we are fast moving into a world of what I call "The haves and the have not's". I understand it's always been that way some (our country is based on work hard because you can get ahead, which I believe in). But I think the scale is swinging so far the other way it's gotten crazy.

Just Monday in Va Highway 66 near me started charging tolls on their HOV lane's that will cost as much as $28 for a one way trip of 9 miles into DC. I know there are a lot of rules (won't go into them); but good grief! That's crazy. No one works because they want to, it's necessary to live.

Anyway, I'll go sit down and shut up. I have daughters and son-in-law who will never receive the money they're paying into social security and I'm sorry but I think that's OK because they won't need the money, but there are many who are my age (71 ) who really need the money to live now.

I'm not smart enough to know the answers to any of this but I know about people who are struggling just to survive every day (my own family members). I grew up sometimes with no food, had no food days, but I survived. It wasn't every day or often, but it happened. Those times stick with you.

I guess, like most things, the money is mishandled and the higher ups get paid very well. Makes me sick.

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

Katcat1 — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 19:52:57 GMT

@viva923, I am not sure what everyone is talking about. Different amounts, decreases. I know everyone that I live with in my Senior apt. complex received the same raise in their social security check which is not much. How are some of you receiving different amounts and decreases? Curious.

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

libbyannE — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 19:55:08 GMT

Social Security is not a job. One doesn't expect a raise. Yes I am concerned about the government giving tax breaks to the wealthy and cutting programs like Medicare for those who need it, but when my husband and I got married on the 1970s, we did our research on the economy and on demographics and simply assumed that by the time we retired – about now – that there would not be Social Security for us. So we planned and saved and invested accordingly. I'm grateful for anything I receive and, yes, I know I'm simply getting my money back because I paid in for decades, but a raise? Just be glad if there is any social security at all in a few years. Scary and unfair, but true.

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

Cats3000 — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 20:05:08 GMT

This is, in part, a political diatribe that has no basis in fact and that continues the class warfare that will tear this country further apart. As far as "getting your money back", you are wrong. Your contributions went to pay the benefits of those who were already collecting Social Security. Your benefits are coming from those who are now working and paying into the system.

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

libbyannE — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 20:09:32 GMT

@Cats3000 wrote:
This is, in part, a political diatribe that has no basis in fact and that continues the class warfare that will tear this country further apart. As far as "getting your money back", you are wrong. Your contributions went to pay the benefits of those who were already collecting Social Security. Your benefits are coming from those who are now working and paying into the system.

@Cats3000

Yes, of course. I always called my contributions a charitable donation to the older people who needed it because I never figured I would get it back. But my point was simply that one does pay into the system so one can argue that you're getting your money back. Unfortunately the government started using that money decades ago so it's not set aside in an account . I'm not turning this into a political argument. I suggest you don't either

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

Cats3000 — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 20:12:50 GMT

You did when you started talking about cutting Medicare and tax cuts for the wealthy. I felt it necessary to respond in kind.

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

esmerelda — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 21:33:23 GMT

@libbyannE wrote:
Social Security is not a job. One doesn't expect a raise. Yes I am concerned about the government giving tax breaks to the wealthy and cutting programs like Medicare for those who need it, but when my husband and I got married on the 1970s, we did our research on the economy and on demographics and simply assumed that by the time we retired – about now – that there would not be Social Security for us. So we planned and saved and invested accordingly. I'm grateful for anything I receive and, yes, I know I'm simply getting my money back because I paid in for decades, but a raise? Just be glad if there is any social security at all in a few years. Scary and unfair, but true.

@libbyannEThanks for giving me a place to put my post without looking like I'm picking on someone.

Right, Social Security is not a job. Neither is gambling in a casino. Yet someone here says she "made" $5/month over 2017 and one of my neighbors talks of how much she "made" when she goes to the casino.

Some people are so loose and downright incorrect in their choice of words these days, it's no wonder they are misunderstood.

As far as paying in, getting back, "means testing" for the wealthy or more charity for the poor...I've posted here before about my friend who is still working and paying in and she says it's unlikely she'll ever collect any of it because she has a Government pension. I think the fair thing to do for people in her situation and the wealthy who (SOMEone determines) "doesn't need it," give them back exactly what they paid in and not a penny more. How can anyone argue with that?

With SS people don't get back just what they put in. They get back what others put in...those others who didn't live to collect it, or (like my friend) aren't eligible in spite of contributing.

@libbyannE, good for you and your DH for taking responsibility for yourselves.

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

esmerelda — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 23:21:05 GMT

Hi @Annabellethecat66 Did you call and ask why your SS payments went down $400? I certainly would have.

If you honestly don't want the SS, please donate it to a charity where you know it will be used to help people who need it. Maybe go to the store and buy a lot of non-perishable food and donate it to your local food bank. Or pick a bunch of "angels" off of angel trees (do you have them in your area?) and buy the things that are needed for the children they represent. Or at this time of year, organizations pick families to help have better holidays. Maybe donate it there. Or a woman's shelter. All kinds of things you could do with that money. Especially this time of year. Something in your area so you'll know it's being put to good use and not spent on administrative costs. If you're serious, of course.

Nobody HAS to use an HOV lane. Those who do are willing to take on that extra expense. And maybe they split the cost, since there's more than one person in the car if it's using the HOV lane.

Along with the haves and have nots we have the do and do nots. And don't forget..."the poor will always be with us" or something like that.

Some people like having less. I was talking to a woman the other day who told me she had gotten a job...occasional work, no fixed schedule, she can accept the hours or decline them...and she'd found a house she liked. She mentioned that it was section 8 and came >this close< to saying she didn't want to work much because her income would increase and she might lose the rent subsidy. So some people would rather do less and have less.

Hmm...I just noticed near the end of your post that you have family members who are struggling every day just to survive. That's certainly a place you can give your social security check and know that it is needed.

You're very kind to want to give your excess to others.

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

Kalli — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 03:08:24 GMT

SS taken now comes from those who are currently working. The previous generation took the money we (Boomers) put in.

Those who are young, working and trying to make their way up the ladder are the folks who are paying more into ss for these raises. And this generation, paying for us, may very well never be able to collect because SS funds may be gone by the time they are 60 something.

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

esmerelda — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 03:36:15 GMT

@KalliNot necessarily. Our elected officials helped themselves to some of it:

Lawmakers regularly use Social Security's so-called “excess funds” – those monies not immediately needed – for purposes other than to pay out benefits. Because the Trust Fund is a part of the unified federal budget, it is completely legal for Congress to use the funds as they see fit and to replace them with mere IOU's.

http://seniorsleague.org/issues/social-security-trust-fund-lock-box/

If that source is not acceptable, google Congress social security lock box and more will come up.

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

cbrite — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 03:49:52 GMT

Well I don't get it either........ Just got my statement and it says I got an increase of $15.10 ------- but then it says my Medicare deduction has gone up $15.10. So basically I break even.( My supplemental F went up about $30+/mo too ) :/

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

Carmie — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 03:53:28 GMT

@Jannyg wrote:
I'm losing $30 a month in 2018.

You are not losing $30 a month. You have actually been saving $30 a month compared to what other have been paying.

Everyone who picked up Medicare Part B for the first time in 2017 paid $134, unless they were in a high income bracket while you paid less due to the Hold Harmless clause. Since you received an increase in SS, you can now afford to pay the same as others are already paying.

Google: Hold Harmless Medicare Part B for more information

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

Katcat1 — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 04:23:53 GMT

@Annabellethecat66, Everyone receives the same percentage increase. Now if you worked and were receiving SS and then your husband passed away and you decided to collect his instead of yours nothing should be deducted as far as i know. I would definitely be on the phone with SS. I only have Part A & B deducted from my check. The type of extra insurance I have in my state does not charge anything. The insurance co. manages everything for Medicare, thus I only use my insurance card and have my medicare card tucked away. I do not understand why any money would be deducted from someone's SS. I know if it was mine, I would surely be on the phone to SS.

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

lovemyparrot — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 04:39:47 GMT

Hi, the SS says I got an increase - then they show my new payment minus my deduction for Medicare and, guess what, I end up with exactly the same as the last two years.

I suppose I should be pleased that I don't have a DECREASE this year - oh well !!!!

Re: Just got my Social Security info for 2018

Kalli — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 04:45:31 GMT

@esmerelda wrote:
@KalliNot necessarily. Our elected officials helped themselves to some of it:

Lawmakers regularly use Social Security's so-called “excess funds” – those monies not immediately needed – for purposes other than to pay out benefits. Because the Trust Fund is a part of the unified federal budget, it is completely legal for Congress to use the funds as they see fit and to replace them with mere IOU's.

http://seniorsleague.org/issues/social-security-trust-fund-lock-box/

If that source is not acceptable, google Congress social security lock box and more will come up.

@esmerelda, yes I understand that. And of course not happy about it at all. But I remember reading many years ago that when SS first was enacted, it was expected that most would collect for a few years and then die. Not sure if that's true but suffice it to say we are living longer and drawing ss longer. My parents are in this group. They are 87 & 90. And of course, all these years their generation has had the robust numbers of Boomers working and contributing. Now we Boomers are retiring and collecting.

Later starting dates determined by birthyear are helping but some say still, in order for SS to survive, we'll also have to take less and maybe some who have retirement income or assets in a high range may be denied? Hm...