Social Security.. Sorry This Link Is The Only Way I Know How To Share :(

Thread: I just got back from Social Security and have a question. How can people that never worked in the US collect benefits?

Come on GLP
If this info is accurate, don't you think the candidates should talk about it? Wouldn't this be great to use in the Repub/dem debate?

I think most of us see that, at the end of the day, it does not mean much for them to bicker about Social Security.

Frankly, items like Social Security are "hot topic" items that will never be fully taken away by either party.

They talk to the older voters, who without work, are more likely to vote.

As far as the tax thing goes with Social Security, standard deductions, and 15% being non-taxed, pretty much takes away any tax being paid at the end of the year for the majority of Social Security recipients, as the average payment across the U.S. is roughtly $1,180 per month, or $14,160 a year.

That leaves a taxable income of $12,036 for the year, on the average. The standard deduction for a married couple, filing jointly is $12,600. So, you would pay tax on $36. Most people have credits on their taxes of some sort, ie..home mortgage, child credits, tuition reimbursment, and if you are collecting Social Security payments, you are typically not making much money on the side.

So, I believe that these facts are correct. Just remember, that both political parties are always in on it, as it takes votes from both sides to pass anything in our broken bicameral system.

I see that my math sucks. You would pay no tax on the income due to the deduction.

I guess this is just something I never knew and feel like more people should be aware
Especially millinials (spelling?) who want to vote democrat.

Probably not talked about because it's not true:

[link to www.jacksonfreepress.com]

Thanks for clearing that up!

Is Snopes a reliable source? Serious question

Here is one that most younger folks might want to
know about....

...AND...ESPECIALLY YOU GALS!

When the social security laws were set up way back
when...the idea that couples would LIVE TOGETHER and
NOT marry was not even considered. It just wasn't widely
accepted as a way to "couple." Which is WHY....you may
wish to think about marriage if you are wanting to have
social security in your old age!

First, you must be married at least 10 years (before
you reach retirement age) to collect on your spouse's
social security. If you have had your own successful
career--it is a non-issue. However, if you haven't
worked regularly and are in a common-law relationship
you may be out in the cold when retirement age comes up.
It doesn't matter if you have had children with a spouse
...you will NOT be entitled to the 1/2 benefit of your
employed spouse as married ladies would qualify to
receive.

Secondly, if you have only LIVED TOGETHER -- which
in most states is called "common law" after a varying
number of years defined by your own particular state...
you MAY OR MAY NOT be recognized as the "marital spouse."
For example, Oregon does NOT recognize ANY YEARS of
co-habitation outside of legal marriage as common law
as far as collecting social security at retirement.

This means you are NOT eligible to collect on a spouse's
SS if you were never married. For a female who has
decided to be a stay-at-home mom, but NOT TO MARRY the
father of her children (because it is the "hip" thing
to do)--she will be out of luck for collecting any
SS income unless she has worked....oh yeah...and you
have to work up to the very last minute, you can't count
on your job you worked some 20 years earlier to kick
in any social security income with or without marriage.

This is also important to remember in terms of getting
a divorce as well. You MUST be married at least 10 -11
years (depending on the state) before divorcing your spouse
to qualify for SSI income from that spouse. This is a
big deal if you worked at the Kroger grocery and your
live-in husband was an executive at GM!

While it may seem many years away...or for those ladies
who are close to retirement age but are considering a
divorce BEFORE the 10 years required to qualify for SSI,
you may wish to weigh your priorities--and hang in there
a couple more years...maybe work things out between you.
Sounds a little harsh, but when you are trying to live on
$500/mo in a run-away-inflation you might feel differently
about making smart choices. Most people in this economy
ARE NOT SAVING for retirement. That makes your social
security that much more critical in the later years.


O'sCookie

Last Edited by TheOracle'sCookie on 02/12/2016 07:44 PM

I was going to ask the exact same question!