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Originally Posted by kimbercuddles  But how much better is it that social security benefits went UP as opposed to DOWN? Sorry, I always try to see the glass half full unless it's a no-win situation... |
The hard part about the half empty part of SS. is that something went really wrong with the system.
First and foremost, ask many older person who was around back then, and they will tell you that SS used to have the word "suplimental" attached to it. In other words, SS was never supposed to be a full retirement but a supliment to a private retirement. But, like most government programs, over time people started viewing it as a stand alone retirement.
Another "problem" is the advancements of the medical field where people are living longer. I remember that the word cancer used to be a death sentence, Period. Retiring at 65 usually meant that SS would be paid for 5 or 10 years on average. now people are living longer. When I get my SS benefit overview from uncle sam, it now shows my retirement being when I am 68. I am sure that I will be working until I am 70. Sigh.
And of course we must not let the government off the hook by not mentioning the fact that they have raided the SS funds for years and years to the point that this fund, that is supposed to be separate from the general budget, has been raped to a level that makes Enron look like a petty crime.
The glass is half full, but with all the straws in the glass being sucked on by those who are using the system...