Seniors Angry Over No Social Security Increase

[Craftsman]

For the lunchtime crowd at the White Plains Senior Center, it was very unappetizing news.

"We work all our lives, and now they want to cut back on the little bit they give us? I don't think that's right," said Mercedes Leis.

Every year since 1975, social security recipients have received a cost of living adjustment, known as a COLA.

"Each year that we get that little raise, that's a big help to us seniors, it really is," said Joan Narracci.

http://wcbstv.com/local/social.security.cut.2.1142197.html

[rox63]

1. This was known last year, when the Idiot Son was still in power

I hope they realize that Obama is not to blame for this.

[YOY]

3. Oh you know they will.

THey'll totally try and blame O for this.

[Craftsman]

5. This happened on O's watch therefore to many it is his

Meet the third rail of politics.

[bluestateguy]

9. Obama gave them a one time $250 payment as part of the stimulus

Any senior citizen who is bitching about the stimulus is welcome to send the money back.

[Craftsman]

14. So that money is long spent and forgotten by many

[YOY]

2. I wonder how many of them realize that it's a SOCIALIST program.

n.t.

[billyclem]

27. Not really a socialist program...

Remember, each of us has 6.2% of our gross income deducted as our SS contribution and our employer must match that 6.2%. So for our working life 12.4% of our gross income is going into the SS fund. I am three years away from being able to collect SS and I doubt that I will live long enough to recoup my 6.2%. This is for the basic SS. When SSI, the other programs that are funded from the 12.4% contribution, and congressional borrowing are considered, then we can see how the entire fund is in trouble.

[YOY]

28. That's a 'socialist' program. What you just described. You realize that, don't you?

As long as you have a SS number you contribute (employer matched or not...doesn't matter) and collect...regardless of income and collection ammount. Everyone gets roughly the same amount out of it. Millionares or lifetime McDonalds employee. Bill Gates will get one as will that lady you see living in the single room apartment with 10 cats. You may not get what was put into it and you may get more out of it than what you put into it. Everyone gets the same pension to prevent them from falling through the cracks and flooding the streets with the homeless elderly. Without FDR's creation of Social Security, this country would not be a pretty place for the elderly.

I recall one politician recently (10 years ago really) proposing that the solution is for folks who have a level of income after retirement not recieve that paltry SS money as they do not need it. Of course they didn't like that...everyone assumes you have to get out what you put in. THat's not how it was intended to work. It was intended to help the folks who need it most: the retired elderly who do not recieve a retirement check that can keep them afloat and alive.

Same as medicare. Paid for by taxes. Everyone of age qualifies. Millionares or lifetime McDonalds employees. Sure some money goes to pharamceutical companies that shouldn't but that's the evolution of the system. Everyone gets the same coverage at a great price to prevent them from dying before their time.

What were you expecting? Soviet food rationing? Really, we're talking Poli-Sci 101 here.

[JuniperLea]

30. LOL! How do you think socialism works, genius?

Amazing...

[CreekDog]

31. but you are also paying for disability insurance should you become permanently disabled

before retirement.

nowhere offers you the amount of disability benefits for your contributions.

also, the lower your income the more likely that your contributions are outweighed by your benefits at retirement.

[demwing]

32. What in the world do you mean? Thats the very definition of "Social Program"

Your subject line doesn't seem to have anything to do with your message

[unpossibles]

33. logic fail nt

[BattyDem]

34. "socialist"

I do not think that word means what you think it means.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nadinbrzezinski]

38. Go take Poli Sci 101

you really need it.

[Subdivisions]

39. You are woefully unprepared to debate what is or is not a "socialist" program. n/t

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SoCalNative]

4. Hey I didn't get a raise this year either

it's the economy, stupid.

And at least THEY GET SS..it likely will not be around in another 20 years or so when I'm ready to collect.

[closeupready]

29. I have some good news for you: Not only will it be around in 20 years,

it will be around in 100 years! :)

[Romulox]

6. Ummm, "Cost of Living Allowance". It's not a merit raise. nt

[valerief]

16. Congress ALWAYS gets theirs, though. nt

[Craftsman]

18. And Granny knows it

One issue with having as many seats at the democrats have is they are now responsible for all that happens. The good or the bad.

[Romulox]

21. We little worker bees (you know, the ones who pay for it all) don't. That's for sure. nt

[Obamanaut]

23. Congress did get their automatic increase this past Jan., but 'they

say' they will not accept one in fiscal 2010. I'll watching out my window for airborne pigs in vee formation flying by.

It doesn't bother me if there is no soc sec COLA increase this year. We are doing ok at my house, but there are others that it does hurt, because they are barely squeaking by. But, if the congress weasels allow their automatic increase to go through, that will be aggravating.

Here's a couple of links re congress pay increase
-------

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/blog/2009/01/07/no-salar... / this link has several updates

No Salary Increase for Congress in Fiscal 2010 <this is the header for the article>
-------
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/house-freezes-pay-r...

<snip>Lawmakers automatically receive a cost-of-living adjustment every year to keep in step with inflation.

But in a period of economic turmoil when many Americans have lost their jobs and are struggling to make ends meet, members have overwhelmingly supported blocking their pay increase in 2010. <more at link>

[DJ13]

7. Its complete bullcrap

How can the government KNOW what the rate of inflation will be for the rest of 2009?

Then lets talk about the mind reading it takes to claim they will not see any inflation for all of 2010 as well.

Once again our government is willing to save some money off the misery of the old and the disabled, and it makes me sick.

[ieoeja]

46. Given that FISCAL 2009 ends the last of October ...

It'd take one hell of an upward swing in inflation over the next couple months. And since they want this information for crafting the budget in October, I imagine they use a 12 month period that starts and ends even sooner so they will have those figures already determined.

[DJ13]

47. You have to remember, the government announced no COLA several months back

They just dont want to admit theres any inflation, it goes against the green shoots pablum they've been spreading for the last 4 months.

But then, if they expect no inflation why are they working to make inflation happen?


http://www.lesjones.com/2009/08/25/fed-official-the-feds-strategy-is-aimed-at-promoting-a-future-rise-in-inflation/
Fed official: “The Fed’s strategy is aimed at promoting a future rise in inflation”

[Orsino]

8. JournoFAIL.

"...supposedly because inflation is under control ..."

"Supposedly"? How much work would it have been, really, to find out how COLA works? For a reporter who was, supposedly, "a national correspondent for Dow Jones Television and the top syndicated business show, The Wall Street Journal Report"?

[NEOhiodemocrat]

10. My husband won't get the raise

And that is fine with me. With unemployment so high and economic problems I am just happy we will be getting it! But if a good health care progam passes I won't be happy, I'll be estatic! We are at that age where health care is the real problem for our finances.

[KansDem]

15. I'm not getting a raise this year, either....

But our CEO gave himself something like a 22% increase in his pay last summer. He must have saw this all coming and wanted to get it while the getting was good...

[KansDem]

11. Hey! Unnecessary wars based on lies and bailouts for the wealthiest are expensive!

Not to mention that many oligarchs have squirreled their ill-gotten swag in overseas accounts to avoid paying taxes.

You know, the very taxes that could go to...COLAs.

[mediaman007]

12. This is the way its going to be. The COLA doesn't include volatile items

like gasoline and food. That's why our inflation rate is so low. I think that they look at things like automobile prices, refrigerators and televisions.

(The stuff you buy everyday! Sarcasm!)

[Undercurrent]

13. They are being ridiculous.

I'm on SSDI, and also the sole caregiver for my 90 year old dad. His total income is SS. Neither of us is upset.

It makes sense in a recession. No inflation = no COLA.

[gratuitous]

20. I think many are upset

But most realize the whys and wherefores; doesn't mean they can't still be upset. Of course, it doesn't make for good copy to have someone say, "It makes sense in a recession." Far more interesting as far as the popular media is concerned to have someone complaining about the injustice of it all and casting about for a scapegoat (read Democrats).

[Craftsman]

22. Many people vote their wallets.

[Bluenorthwest]

17. If anyone cares for some facts

Here is the actual full deal. No COLA would be a difficulty anyway, as the way they judge inflation is not reality based, but the fact is some will see a decrease in their net, for the first time ever in history, because of George W Bush's Part D drug plan.
The other elements of Medicare are never allowed to raise premiums more than the COLA raises benefits, so no raise, no increase. GW Bush and his crowd insisted that part D be allowed to raise premiums no matter what the COLA does, so this year, because of GW Bush, some Medicare beneficiaries will see their Part D premiums rise, while their benefit remains flat, and they will have less to spend each month because of that.
That is 100% Bushco policy, one that could be changed and just might be. It is wrong, out of step with the rest of Medicare's alphabet of parts, and the fact that such increase are allowed will be a shock to lots of people. It is important to know why this is happening, and the why is GW Bush and Republican controlled Congress.

[Craftsman]

19. Many will not care

Democrats control, the House, the Senate, and the Whitehouse.

[Gormy Cuss]

36. I wish that the reporting of the no-COLA story would always include the Part D info

because that is exactly why retired seniors will have more of a struggle with the same SS benefit amount as last year.

[Bluenorthwest]

41. But what we get on DU is just a bunch of blame gaming

and bashing of Medicare beneficiaries, whom they call 'seniors' and refer to as a monolithic right wing voting block. As if they'd never met a disabled person, or a Democrat over 40. As if Joe Biden is not right round 'retirement age', as if Boxer were not passed it, and on and on and on.
Believe you me, the people who actually lose money on this will learn exactly how that happened and who is responsible for it eventually. If Democratic leadership had any sense, they be pointing that out like crazy. Except for the fact that many of them voted for Bush's boondoggle.

[southernyankeebelle]

24. Let me tell you old people shut the fuck up. I am going to apply to

get early retirement in January. I will be 62 yrs old. They can't take that away from me. I know its hard out there but you aren't missing something you haven't gotten. We have to be willing to make scarifics too. There are young families out there struggling. You that are doing ok can stay home a day or two. Invite your friends and play cards or bingo or have sex, whatever. Am sick of hearing you complain. You get many advantages now that you are old. I no people in my rural town over 80 don't have to pay property tax. You get senior citizen discounts to alot of places. Don't crying it could be worse. You could lose it all. Than where will you be? If you are republicans forget your children, hell they don't even want people to have health care public option. So shut up. Get over it.

[onenote]

25. This column addresses this issue -- anyone care to address the column?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/24/AR2009082402654.html


I have no independent knowledge as to whether the author of this piece is telling it like it is or shoveling bull. Curious to hear what other DUers with insight into this issue have to say.

[Bluenorthwest]

45. What the column leaves out

It manages to go into the regulations that keep most Medicare Parts from going up more than the COLA rises, but the author rather conveniently leaves out the fact that Part D, the drug 'benefit' of the Bush era, is not held to those regulations. Which means that some Medicare beneficiaries-they are not all 'seniors' by the way-will in fact see a reduction in their monthly net, thanks to George W Bush and his pals in the worst Congress in history. This will come as a surprise and a source of confusion to many people, because they are used to the regulations that prevent a raise in premiums above the COLA rise. Because Part D has a specific exception to that rule, and because this is the first time that exception will be in play.
Some Democrats tried to keep Part D raises tied to the COLA, but the Republicans and Bushco would not hear of it. Because Part D was Republican law written by the drug companies, it will in fact lead to people having less in pocket than the month before, which is the opposite of the spirit of the Medicare premium regulations in general.
Because of new Bush provisions, many on Medicare will have less left after buying the same insurance as they did this year. Because of GW Bush.

[asjr]

26. I'm not angry. I realize shit happens and we

had 8 years of it.

[treestar]

37. If the economy is contracting, isn't it possible that the cost of living

did not go up?

They don't get raises to be paid more, just to keep the value the same.

[billyclem]

42. If it were truly social

There would be no borrowing from SS to feed the general fund and pet pork projects. This has been going on for decades. http://www.uncle-scam.com/Confessions/house/confess-house.htm

The payments to retirees would use a system other than the current high pay average. As it is now, a person who worked at lower paying jobs does not, I believe, receive anywhere near the federal poverty level as a SS benefit. Not a very equitable method.

The monthly deduction from SS for Part B Medicare would start lower than $96 and at a much lower income than $85,000.(For those not familiar, everyone with an income <$85,000 pays $96 per month for part A) Those on low monthly benefits are getting the royal shaft.

The three big points.

billyclem>>>the official forum YOKEL :woohoo:

[NC_Nurse]

43. Oh fuckin' well...there's a lot of us hurting out there. Why don't you get a part time

job? Or get your "neighbors" to help you?

From what I've heard on the news, the cut is going to be a few dollars a month. BFD. It's called a recession.

Funny how everyone's all worried about the deficit - until it's THEIR program that's going to be effected.

:o

[slampoet]

44. Then Maybe they should have voted to raise the minimum wage rather than keep it stagnant

TWICE for ten years EACH in the last 30 years.

[ParkieDem]

48. As a whole ....

As a whole, people over 65 are the wealthiest people in the country -- they own substantially more wealth than any other age group.

I fully support COLAs where they're needed, but based on my shopping experiences over the past year, there has been no inflation. House prices and rents are lower. Gas prices are lower. Food prices are lower. Given the fact that few Americans are seeing a raise, and where our government's budget is now, I completely understand the no-COLA policy.

[annabanana]

49. Social Security is a socialist handout... I trust there are no

wingnuts up there.

I'm sad that they aren't getting the raise. (and it's disgraceful that they aren't).. But it could be a "teachable moment"

[sendero]

50. Few of them paid in ..

... anywhere near what they are taking out. They need to get over it, the whole country is suffering and it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

[Hidden Stillness]

51. Possible Answer

I have been off the computer for a couple of days; I had read this thread earlier, but couldn't find any information, now I think I have. I think a lot of people--orphans, students, the disabled--are also angry about this; I don't know wahy older people are targeted, or why so many fell for it.

At first, I didn't understand the statement at all--Social Security always used to be increased by an act of Congress before they went on their August vacations--for the next year--as a big gesture they could then promote to voters. Then, during yet another attempt to get universal health care during the 1950s, there were attempts to put it on Social Security (as originally intended) or start a new program that would eventually be Medicare. Republicans threatened to kill the regualr Social Security increases, and all the reform-attempts died. From that threat, Pres. Johnson during the 1960s was determined to get health care for the elderly and the poorest (Medicare and Medicaid), and therefore, first, gave an Executive Order that Congress would no longer raise benefits, but they would now be automatic each year. This would take away the threat they would have used. (All this is in a great book on the history of this program, called "The Battle for Social Security--From FDR's Vision to Bush's Gamble" by Nancy J. Altman.)

Then I found (after some crap) a great thing from the great group the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, at http://www.ncpssm.org/news/archive/vp_fix_cola/ . If the way of determining increases was changed to a COLA statistic during 1975, which I didn't even know, that would have been Ford and a Democratic Congress. According to the NCPSSM, the cost-of-living was based on rising and falling oil prices mainly, and obviously fake way of figuring, as fake as "unemployment" statistics. The most horrible, crushing debt for the elderly is drug prices, which are only skyrocketing; food prices are up, home-heating, etc. Older people on Social Security and other fixed-income programs cannot afford any increases of the real-world of prices which they actually pay, but the COLA calculations are so fake, that it manages to seem as if prices are falling--ridiculous! This is very preliminary, and I still do not know if increases will be denied, but it would be disaster for the low-income people on these programs if they cannot keep up (as they can't now).

I'm also sick of reading, on this "liberal" site, these stupid, hateful attacks on old people who knew how to fight to get good programs, and support those who voted for them. WHY don't you learn from the example of educated, civic-minded older people, and what they accomplished?