I've been having this conversation about SS

[izzybeans]

with people who want to know the facts but can't get passed a certain point. They keep saying that they won't trust a single senator or representative until they themselves actually partake in the system personally.

Is this true? Do they not pay in to the system? What is a good retort for this? I've already tried: either way they are the people we choose to decide such matters and regardless of their stake in it, you are going to have to pick which side you trust most on this issue. But mostly I need info. directly concerning our representatives personal stake in social security.

[Salviati]

1. If they're that obstinate about it...

Ask them if they trust no one on it, what would they rather have: The system left alone, as it is, or a drastic overhaul of the system that has worked well enough for the past 70 years.

[izzybeans]

3. Tried that

I started to get a little heated and had to back off. I was hoping I and they were wrong on that point. But I couldn't find anything to verify it one way or the other.

Thanks

[xray s]

2. If they don't, they should. I would support that 100%

Every American should be in the program.

[Yupster]

15. I agree

if the program were made universal, it would take a lot of the financial pressure off of it.

I also don't like the idea of universal programs with priviledged employees excempt from taking part in it.

The largest group of them currently are public school teachers in 12 states, and the most ridiculous example is Texas university professors who have a completely privatized option which is fine for them but no one else. It's called the ORP (Optional Retirement Program).

[papau]

4. WHEN WILL THE BUSH LIES STOP? - Members of Congress ARE in

the Social Security System and have been since 1983.


:-)

[Demaholic]

5. Proof?

Any physical proof of this?

I am battling on a semi-intelligent board...

Proof would stop them. (one hopes)

[izzybeans]

11. see post number 10. I just found some info.

[sallyseven]

12. All new fed workers had to go after 1983. Some hired

before 1983 opted to go. They have a program called thrift savings which people can put a portion of their pay check in. It stays yours and what you put in you get out depending what you put it in. I had some in stock a number of years ago but I lost too much money so I went to gov. sec. I have a nice tidy sum in there but it doesn't affect my pension or SS. It went in every month but it isn't what bush is talking about. he doesn't know it but he pays into ss too. Ass hole. What the heck does he know about investments. He is a failure in business.

[FloridaPat]

6. Last I heard members of congress were on government retirement.

A real nice government retirement. Some of them make more on their retirement than they made in the house or senate.

There was a movement by Reagan to put federal workers on SS, but it got canned.

Here's a web site with their benefits:

"Congress: Benefits
Members of Congress receive retirement and health benefits under the same plans available to other federal employees. They become vested after five years of full participation."

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa031200a.htm

[FloridaPat]

7. They are still under federal pensions.

"Members elected since 1984 are covered by the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). Those elected prior to 1984 were covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). In 1984 all members were given the option of remaining with CSRS or switching to FERS."

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa031200a.htm

[charlyvi]

13. FERS covered federal employees--including Congress--

pay into SS. It's part of a three tier retirement system--Social Security, Fed Pension (NOT civil service) and their Thrift Savings Plan investments. If they were elected after 1984, they pay into the Social Security system.

[Goldeneye]

8. They pay in, just like everyone else.

Debbie Stabenow(sp?) was on C-span and a caller asked her if they payed in and she said they paid in like everyone else.

[Yupster]

16. Not everyone else

Most schoolteachers in 12 states don't pay into social security. I've never heard an explanation of why they are treated differently than everyone else.

Also government workers in some counties are not in social security. Galveston Texas is one I know about.

[SoCalDem]

9. Rich people (aka congress/senators) really have no personal stake

in SS, so they see it as a "bargaining chip" to get other legislation they want passed..

they are all wheeler dealers, and unfortunately, some of the "deals" they make really hurt the general public.

They quit doing our bidding (if they ever really did) a long time ago..

Corporations and their lobbyists run this country.. What THEY want is what happens..

People who enter government are usually very rich, or they become rich within a few years of going to DC.. Anyone who thinks they are spending millions of dollars for a TWO YEAR job (or 6 in the senate) that pays less than 200K a year, to "do good works" or to "help the little person", is delusional....

[izzybeans]

10. Thanks everyone! Here's my response-oh and 1983 really helped the

google search.

posted 04 February 2005 06:54 PM
i didn't catch that before-Not so fast Mike- You could call your congressman or representative if you want, but you will get a message very similar to this.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/pensions.asp

I don't want this to come off wrong but you are reciting an urban legend. They have been paying into the system since 1984. Prior to that time they, as did all other federal employees, payed into the civil service retirement plan.

I'm not sure where you got that info. but I'd ask them if they haven't been misled by somebody.

http://www.c-span.org/questions/weekly68.htm

here is a link to the official retirement plan. The summary of the plan answers your "implicit" question.

http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30631.pdf

Even if they did not pay into the system you'd still have to decide which of them was making a good faith attempt at protecting your future and which of them only sought to pad their own wallets. Who is for the workers and who aligns themselves with the brokerage houses? Who sides with the corporations and who with the People? I trust there is enough information linked above for everyone to make that decision for themselves. It's not about party labels or anything else, its about who best represents you on this particular issue.

[papau]

14. nicely done! :-)

:-)

[kittykitty]

17. Snopes explains that they DO pay into the SS system

Since 1983 they have been required to pay into the system

http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/pensions.asp (bottom of the page)

"In 1983, Public Law 98-21 required Social Security coverage for federal civilian employees first hired after 1983 and closed the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to new federal employees and Members of Congress. All incumbent Members of Congress were required to be covered by Social Security, regardless of when they entered Congress. Members who had participated in CSRS before 1984 could elect to stay in that plan in addition to being covered by Social Security or elect coverage under an 'offset plan' that integrates CSRS and Social Security. Under the CSRS Offset Plan, an individual's contributions to CSRS and their pension benefits from that plan are reduced ('offset') by the amount of their contributions to, and benefits from, Social Security"