WASHINGTON — The trustees for Social Security and Medicare issued their annual reports last week. This is cause for discouragement because it reminds us how much we’ve mortgaged the country’s future to spending for older Americans. Already, Social Security and Medicare constituted 42 percent of federal spending in 2017, say the trustees. If they had […]
Social Security
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Better retirement calculations
In his letter (May 13), Richard Proctor claims individuals are better off retiring at age 65 than at age 70. It is important to make such calculations. It is even more important to use accurate numbers, and not the misleading averages he cited. A better way to assess an individual’s situation is with Social Security’s […]
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Posted inLetters, sj-web
A different look at retirement
After reading the Associated Press article about retiring at an older age (Sun Journal, May 9), I thought that the writer should have added some other pertinent facts. According to Social Security average retirement amounts, a 65-year-old male would get $1,152 per month income, or $13,824 per year. At age 70, the average increases to […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
The shutdown is over so what is next?
WASHINGTON — OK, the shutdown is over. But no one should be fooled into thinking that this settles the big questions facing the country. Even if (a big “if”) the immigration laws are overhauled and the nearly 700,000 “Dreamers” stay in the United States, at least three large issues remain that neither party has yet […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Get a real cost of living increase
Correct me if I am wrong. Did we or did we not contribute and support Medicare/Medicaid with direct support through weekly paychecks while we were working? Considering the yearly increased costs of these programs, what dictates that the increases need to come from those receiving the benefits? It just seems totally insane to give retirees […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
No increase in Social Security, again
Recently, I received my Social Security award letter for the year 2018. To say I am unhappy would be a gross understatement. Back in the year 2015, I received an increase bringing my monthly check to $954. There was no increase for 2016, but in 2017 people were to get a small increase. However, an […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Social Security benefits to rise by 2 percent in 2018
The Social Security Administration’s main campus is seen in Woodlawn, Md. Millions of Social Security recipients and other retirees can expect another small increase in benefits in 2018. Preliminary figures suggest an increase of around 2 percent. That would mean an extra $25 a month for the average beneficiary. The Social Security Administration is scheduled […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Social Security projects biggest payment increase in years
WASHINGTON (AP) — Good news for seniors: Millions of Americans who rely on Social Security are projected to receive their biggest payment increase in years this January. Bad news for seniors: It’s just a 2.2 percent increase, or about $28 a month for the average recipient. The trustees who oversee Social Security and Medicare released […]
Posted insj-web, Sun Spots
Unsolicited mail, calling Social Security
DEAR SUN SPOTS: From personal experience, I do not recommend using Mail Preference Service, as you suggested on June 5, to curtail unwanted junk mail. All that does is give your name and address to many more junk mailers, and soon your mailbox is bursting at the seams with unwanted trash. My advice is to […]
Posted inLetters
Social Security benefit
I have noticed a few letters to the editor recently regarding the small raise in monthly Social Security checks. Every year in December, Social Security recipients receive a notice from Social Security administrators detailing any increase in the monthly benefit. If people would read that notification, they would see that there was a 0.3 percent […]