RetireBy90
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
So one more issue to throw in the old mixer here. It seems to me that a big part of the reason SS is or will have problems paying the number we expect every month is the increase in the programs over the years. Disibility claims, as noted by several WSJ articles have increases, and appeals are approved at an increasing rate. One SS judge had approved all appeals in 2011 as of something like end of Nov. We also pay benefits for surviving children and spouses. I don't know of all the programs they support with the old FICA tax but they have increased and the charge for them has not kept pace.
I'm not saying these programs are a waste or un-needed, but that they haven't been paid for and thus are taking funds collected each month. If you were to offer a jelly-of-the-month club at $5/month after carefully planning the costs and a small profit, then added pickles, olives and sardines to the shippment without an increase in the $5 charge you could go broke like SSA.
I'm not saying these programs are a waste or un-needed, but that they haven't been paid for and thus are taking funds collected each month. If you were to offer a jelly-of-the-month club at $5/month after carefully planning the costs and a small profit, then added pickles, olives and sardines to the shippment without an increase in the $5 charge you could go broke like SSA.