Let's hear from those on Social Security only (depression, separate, years)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I couldn't let your snide, hostile little statement pass without comment. Although I cannot claim to be doing especially "well" (just living in reasonable, modest comfort), I can inform you that even someone at my level already has a "fund" required by law to "aid others in need". It's called taxes.
For the tax year 2016, I paid a combined total of $12,681 in federal and state income taxes. That does not include property taxes, sales taxes, and user fees. In addition to those taxes about which I have no choice, I voluntarily engage in charitable giving.
I, too, sometimes find it irritating to read the thinly disguised bragging of the fat cats; however I would point out that neither you nor I know anything about the generosity of those people toward the less fortunate, and therefore we should not be throwing brickbats at them.
One of the best things that happened to my mom was senior housing for limited income. They took a third of her income and gave her a small apartment and her freedom. She no longer had to worry about maintaining a home, a yard...all that was a phone call and a guy showed up. The place was beautiful...yes, very small, but liveable.
She had more than SS, but not much more... and we paid for her cable yearly. I keep telling a friend of mine she should put her name into a few, she'd qualify, and it's not like she'd get a place tomorrow.
Regarding a third of her income...it wasn't a set dollar... it was a third of her income, a third of Mrs. Jones income a tire of Mrs. Smiths income.
I have a sister-in-law and her husband (early 70's) that are getting by on SS only. They have a reasonable lifestyle but nothing fancy. If one passes, the other will not be able to financially continue their life style. Their only daughter is aware of this and is willing to accept the burden.
Yes. SOme services will even cover the "middle class"...that magical section making $50k+.
Also: check with some of the local hospitals...they may have low income programs to cut out all bills from them. Ours does, singles can make up to about $40k, and families up to $94K and still get FREE hospital/branch/walkins services. You are on your own for bills such as outside lab costs, reading of health media, etc. though.They even have a dispensary for medications if you are low income/no health coverage for certain {read as cheap} meds to help out. Just ONE ER/ED visit at $900 for the room charge can save you a bundle! one caveat: you DO have to have a primary insurance, it is NOT "free health care"....
Other programs you might qualify for: Heating help {cooling help in some areas of the south}; get free tax preparation and filing securely; we hope we will get our house insulated later this year if that program doesn't run out of funding under Trump; free food help; low cost phone service {for those who qualify}; etc.
You MIGHT just be surprised at what all you can get help with. If you are 62 and live in a snow belt, you might even get shoveling done for free, and your lawn mowed!
Most importantly: you worked and paid taxes, now you can get some of your efforts back.
Now you are scaring me! Just how much does Medicare cost per month on average?
For now, I have a subsidized retiree employment high-deductible insurance at $69~ a month for two. But at age 65, I have to apply for Medicare and my retiree insurance becomes secondary to that.
My wife and I pay a total of $551.41 for Medicare Part B and our supplements.
Medicare & Insurance
His Part B $134.00
His Plan G $133.28
His Plan D $44.70
Her's Part B $101.33
Her's Plan G $123.02 Her's Plan D $19.08 Total Medical $555.41
The reason for the difference in Part B cost is wife has been collecting benefits for a while so so she is under the hold harmless rule that protects recipients from increases.
On top of this we also have a solid dental plan that runs $30 each/month but for that we get two free checkups/cleanings annually which more than makes up for the premiums. IMO if you still have your teeth and want to keep em dental insurance is a must because crowns (wife just had one) will kick any retirement budget in the butt.
I am convinced for the past four years we have come out ahead on dental every year and a couple times (crowns) we've come out way ahead.
You've just named a bunch of federally subsidized programs. It's probably good you retired when you did.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr5150
Thankfully, we have no need to avail ourselves of said services, but to the OP, I say check those sevices out!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harpaint
Churches and many food banks are not federally subsidized.
Just to be clear, my initial post was referring to the frustration Mr5150 would probably feel if he continued working and various social services programs are reduced or eliminated. Perhaps Mr5150 remembers the days when certain Administrations slaughtered entitlement programs. I was working with the homeless at that time and found the lack of resources to be incredibly frustrating.
I continue to stay informed regarding the various programs that are subsidized by the federal government and am somewhat concerned that they will be severely cut or eliminated. For example, transportation for seniors. http://www.nadtc.org/grants-funding/section-5310.
BTW, the older I get, the more strongly I feel one should have a back up plan. Overall, I am finding this thread to be quite interesting.
When my stepfather died in 2010, my mother was forced to live on $1200 in Social Security payments for reasons I won't get into. She had a small second mortgage which she paid off with my step-father's small life insurance policy and my sister helped her for the first year or so. My mother was not used to living frugally and racked up $16k in credit card debt. After paying her bills there was nothing left over so each month she put food and sometimes other house expenses on the credit card. She then decided to take out a reverse mortgage. However she took it as a lump sum rather than a monthly payment and that was gone within 5 years.
She really needs to sell her house but apartments are very expensive right now and she is too proud to rent in a subsidized place.
I think some people, especially those who have lived through hard times fare better than those who have it relatively easy most of their life.
OP - I don't know how much your SS payments are or where you live but I would think it would be rather difficult to survive these days on just those payments unless you live in a lost COL area and have a paid off home.
Not sure but I think to qualify you must have little or no assets.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
