My Social Security chech of 1100 dollars hasn't increased in the last two years. And now I'm told it won't?

This is your life and your responsibility--not that of a huge bureaucracy, like SS.

SS sent out annual reports of income you earned and contributions to SS made on your behalf. Didn't you ever read them, check them out? And it was obvious with every paycheck your received, every paystub, every W-2 whether SS contributions were being made.

SS was NEVER intended to be one's Sole Support in retirement. Individuals need to plan for their future by contributing to 401ks, establishing IRAs, participating in pension plans, buying annuities.

For decades, school districts did not pay into to SS or Medicare for teachers and teaching assistants, but rather to TRS systems. Then later they paid only into Medicare. You don't state your job, so would advise you to check out whether you and past employers contributed to TRS and whether you are vested.

I've worked as both a teacher and school psych in schools in both CA and IL (for past 16 years) and have never paid into social security at all...only state teacher retirement funds. I have been told I will only receive state teacher retirement (no social security at all). I am assuming you were certificated staff (but you didn't clarify if you were certificated or clerical)? If so you could talk to the various state teacher retirement organizations. Many states say you are "vested" at five years, so that you are able to draw retirement. I'm sorry your situation is so bleak, you should be able to enjoy your retirement not spend it stressed and struggling. You are inadvertantly teaching a good lesson to younger people that have time to make different decisions regarding their savings and investments. Good luck to you and your family.

You are now understanding why it is important to look at the SS benefit statement that is sent to everyone registered every 4 years to verify their earnings. The highest earnings that are reported over 35 years of your working life are used to calculate your benefit.

Your only option may be to get a part-time job to supplement your income. SS was never designed to replace 100% of your retirement income needs.

I only wish many of today's young people would read your message and learn to save in advance of retirement so they are not in the same situation you report here.

You should have planned ahead, that's how to keep your house.

I'm only 21 and I already have a good chunk saved for when I retire.

Get a job, there's your solution.

BTW, my grandmother gets $800/month from SS and lives just fine.

Many public schools are on a non-SSA system, so you get $0 in earnings history with the SSA. In fact, your retirement check from the other system will REDUCE the SSA check. (The SSA has a safety net for low-income workers; so do teacher retirement systems--so you can't get the minimums in both.)

that's right, we haven't had a COLA increase for two years, but believe me, Congress voted themselves a raise

and I pay my se taxes each year too, but nope, no increase, and no piddly little $250 either