Did you know this about Social Security?

great post and research you get a star , and i don't give them out at all lol

What a great post. Kind of puts it all into perspective doesn't it?

Now when I have to pay 15% of my total gross, not just a small part of it to FICA, I will at least know who to thank.

We are being taxed to death in this country, and every year, we get a little less for our money.

It seems that what we pay has been adjusted for inflation, a lot, considerably more than any adjustment of what is paid out.

Survivors and disability benefits have been cut substantially too.

I guess they would have to be since we now pay for all the immigrants too.

My aunt and grandmother who came to this country in their 30's had reduced benefits, because they didn't get here until their 30's. as a result, when they died in the 80's, they were recieving benefits of 145.00 and 155.00 per month, and had to survive on that and their savings. It was only fair, because they didn't contribute until their 30's.

Where did this fairness go?

A friend told me about this site that addresses each of these issues. I think it is worth reading.

very informative tell me where i should look for the facts, i knew around when these changes took place ,but not by whom,i agree with you though,the democrats hv made some stupid moves same as the republicans sad part is ,neither one is doing any thing about changing it back or infusing it with a huge amount of money ,now why arnt the ones who feed off of the government dependent on this and only this for retirement they hv better retirement plans then damn near any one in the tax paying private sector and some can still qualify to collect ss. this should far out weigh any party lines why arnt we rioting , theres a little more to why these changes were made but i fully agree with you ,where are they going to be stealing money for this war, either way we the average citizen will tote the line not them that is ,until we retire that is if we can retire

Well sir, on a couple of your Q&A's you are wrong. First of all this was never a voluntary program.

2. Neither immigrants nor anyone else is able to collect Social Security benefits without someone paying Social Security payroll taxes into the system. The conditions under which Social Security benefits are payable, and to whom, can be found on www.ssa.gov.

The question confuses the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program with Social Security. SSI is a federal welfare program and no contributions, from immigrants or citizens or anyone else, is required for eligibility. Under certain conditions, immigrants can qualify for SSI benefits. The SSI program was an initiative of the Nixon Administration and was signed into law by President Nixon on October 30, 1972.

3. The original SS act states that 1% of of your first $3000 would be taxed. I think we can agree with inflation that taxing $3000 today is not the same as taxing 3k back then. How many people earned 3k back then. Every party has raised and made changes to SS since its inception.

4. There was never any provision of law making the Social Security taxes paid by employees deductible for income tax purposes. In fact, the 1935 law expressly forbid this idea, in Section 803 of Title VIII.

5. The taxation of Social Security began in 1984 following passage of a set of Amendments in 1983, which were signed into law by President Reagan in April 1983. These amendments passed the Congress in 1983 on an overwhelmingly bi-partisan vote.

The basic rule put in place was that up to 50% of Social Security benefits could be added to taxable income, if the taxpayer's total income exceeded certain thresholds.

The taxation of benefits was a proposal which came from the Greenspan Commission appointed by President Reagan and chaired by Alan Greenspan, who is presently serving as Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

6.In 1993, legislation was enacted which had the effect of increasing the tax put in place under the 1983 law. It raised from 50% to 85% the portion of Social Security benefits subject to taxation; but the increased percentage only applied to "higher income" beneficiaries. Beneficiaries of modest incomes might still be subject to the 50% rate, or to no taxation at all, depending on their overall taxable income.

This change in the tax rate was one provision in a massive Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) passed that year. The OBRA 1993 legislation was deadlocked in the Senate on a tie vote of 50-50 and Vice President Al Gore cast the deciding vote in favor of passage. President Clinton signed the bill into law on August 10, 1993. Don't forget that Republicans were the majority in the house and senate so more then a few of them made up that fifty.

It is really discouraging that people are to lazy to research information themselves. It is no wonder politicians of both parties are able to take advantage of the citizens in this country. With all of the resources available, you choose to get your information from a guy who probably quotes wikipedia as fact. You should be ashamed to believe rubbish that circulates around the internet without researching.

This program is considered to be by many one of the greatest successes of our time. Ask your grandparents they will agree.

So there you go partner but I guess you were wrong on just more than a couple and I have cited my source.

No, I did not know that. I do now. Thanks. I think I understand you much better than whats on TV. Now I need to hear somebody smart on the other side that I can understand. Then maybe I can decide who to vote for with more courage. Been scared to vote ever since I voted for sales tax from 4cents to 6 cents on the dollar. They tricked me buy threatening an income tax hike if we didn't raise sales tax. Then they hiked up our income tax anyway. I fell for that, but so did the majority.

1st the funds were only allowed to invest in government debt from the beginning. It could never be put in a lockbox type trust fund without killing the economy.

A politician can't abide seeing an unspent dollar. When they see one it become one they can use to buy themselve back into office.

Have you tried a sprinkle of Lemon Juice on those mushrooms?. Mushroom and Lemon Tea is nice too. Most of those on Social don't get out of bed until 2.00 pm, except on Signing On day.

You are doing your Civic Duty.You have to because"What Party is responsible for having History removed from US classrooms"?.The Democrats Again!They don't want to offend anyone that might be a child of an illegal immigrant,that got 5000$ out of SSI to re-locate to this great Nation!

Wow this is some great stuff. If only the media would print or show stuff like this to the general public, but oh, that's right, most media companies are owned by liberal democrats.

First off, great research and posting. Second, this just shows just how much the Democratic Socialist Party is ruining this country.

Yes, I remember all that happening. Thank you for posting it though since so many didn't know. Where was Hillary when Willy was signing the tax on our SS? Standing there applauding. Sure, tax the rich she says. HAH