Is it time for retired workers on social security and Medicare to have a Union of their own? Are you retired? Are you on Social Security? Are you on Medicare or Medicaid?
I am retired and do collect Social Security. I am one of the early baby boomers. I remember when I went to the SS office to sign up for my money. Yes, it is my money that I paid in for over 45 years. I started paying into SS when I was 16 years old. Finally I can get some of that money back at age 62 as I am not waiting until 66 because I may be dead by then. Yes, they raised the age from 65 to 66 for us early boomers. I recall taking a number at the SS office and sitting down for the long wait. It seemed I was the only one there old enough to collect SS, but the office was full of all kinds of people. My wait lasted about an hour and my number was called. A polite young woman had me come in and sit in her tiny office while she asked me all kinds of questions. Most questions had nothing to do with anything related to my SS. I just wanted to start to get back some of my money. This young woman made it sound like the government was giving me something for free. That irked me so I told her, this is not government money it is my money. The government is not giving me anything. She tried to push me into waiting until I was 66 to collect my SS. After about an hour of questions and filling out forms and signing documents, I was told my money would be put into my account around the 15th of each month starting the month after my 62 birthday. Well it comes all right sometimes on the 16th sometimes on the 20th. I never know what day it will be put into my account.
Last year the government saw fit not to give any cost of living adjustment. Not even a small 3% or 4% increase to help offset increased living expenses. Why not give it to us it is our money. The government says there is no inflation but we all know better. Just today gasoline is up over 5 cents per gallon. Bread and milk go up every week it seems. My health insurance went up, a $100 per month, for no reason as my wife and I have never been sick. Cut the crap we need a cost of living adjustment.
This year I sign up for Medicare. I can’t wait for this, another government program with lots of red tape. I do not know what this will cost me or save me? I will let you know what happens.
How many of you retired people have to still work? All most everyone I know needs to work to make ends meet. I feel bad when I go to Wal Mart and see very old people having to work as a customer greeter at the door. I joke with my friends that will be me in a few years but it is not a joke, it scares the crap out of me, what the future will bring with a government that takes big chunks of our money. Then they spend it on a bunch of worthless programs just to get votes. How many of you have tried to get a job but are turned down all the time. They never say you are too old because that is against the law but that is the real reason why you do not get the job. If you do get a job the pay stinks. You are not paid what you are really worth. Older people have a lot of experience, knowledge, and skills that younger people do not.
Old people retried or not, semi retired or not, should not have to pay any income taxes or social security tax. You pay an SS tax on money when you first make it and pay SS tax again on the same money. Money you saved and earned interest on is taxed on the interest. Why is this? If you are retired you should not have to pay any SS tax. We should not even have to file a stupid tax form. How many retired people can do their own taxes? I remember when I could do my own taxes, 30 years ago, but now days it is impossible. You need an accountant. God forbid if you do it yourself and make a mistake. This could cause you big trouble. When you get old everything seems to be more complicated. Is it just me or are things really becoming more complicated? Is everything getting out of control?
Property taxes are another problem. Why do retired people have to pay the same amount in property taxes as younger property owners? They are on a fixed income and do not have any kids in school. Seniors do not use all the resources that younger people do. Retired persons should receive a discount.
Life needs to be easier and simpler. The federal government, state government, county government, and city government are making it more difficult for older people to live their lives in peace and security without worry. All the time new laws and tax codes change and they give us paper work up the butt that needs to be filled out. Who can understand half of what they say? Who can take the time to read it? I am an educated person with an MBA and the legal paperwork baffles me.
What organization helps the Retired Worker? What organization stands up for seniors? What lobby is just for seniors? The AARP is in it for the money, selling insurance and other necessary products. Their rates are not even the best you can find out in the market place. I had health care threw AARP and changed to another provider and saved over $600 per month. In 8 years I never filed a claim but my rates keep going up. The system stinks.
This is why we need an organization as strong as the labor unions. We need a “Retired Workers Union.” More and more people are retiring, from the boomer generation and we need a union organization to stand up for us and protect our rights. People on SS need someone to stand up and say pay us our money and do not forget the cost of living adjustment. Stop all the red tape. Stop all the taxation. Let us live out our remaining years in peace. We paid our dues.
Our government politicians get their raises every year regardless of the economy or national debt. They work for us. Right, if you believe that I have some good swamp land in Florida I would like to sell you.
Anyone out there want to start a Retired Workers Union?
