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It's merely a suggestion at this time. Wonder if it will really get any traction. At some point the SSA and others are going to have to face reality, as are up-and-coming retirees.
Either Social Security becomes better funded, or benefits are reduced. There is no third choice. If holding off offering Social Security until FRA helps keep the across-the-rest-of-the-board cuts in benefits to a more manageable amount, then it's a good idea. 62 year olds generally have more options than 72 year olds.
The argument against raising the minimum age would be that some people who have had physically demanding jobs may simply be too worn out to continue on until a later age. Examples of such physically demanding careers might be brick layers, waitresses, blacksmiths, miners, etc.
Thanks for the link, Curmudgeon. I have read it and I especially appeciated the brief summary of the newly released annual trustees' report. So in addition to the suggestions for fixes, the article has good factual information.
I just read it, too. I agree about phasing the early retirement age in. 64 seems reasonable. I don't understand how
there are so many people on disability. Why do children who have borderline issues collect disability?
I also see people work who are 'disabled'.
I just read it, too. I agree about phasing the early retirement age in. 64 seems reasonable. I don't understand how
there are so many people on disability. Why do children who have borderline issues collect disability?
I also see people work who are 'disabled'.
I also sometimes wonder why we have so many people on disability. My son is on it, for good reasons, and one of my brothers was too. Also for good reasons. My brother worked in construction and HVAC but after an auto accident that nearly killed him he couldn't do it anymore. It took a couple of years to get it but he finally rec'd a little over $700 mo. and he WAS allowed to work...if he could find a job he could do...and make about $700 mo.. They also deducted child support from his check. My son could find a part time job, if he wanted to, and is allowed to earn up to XXX$s a month but he'd rather complain about being broke than do that. Sigh. I do often wonder, though, how many people on disability really shouldn't be on it. If I get a hang nail can I apply??
I suspect that there is less exploitation of disability insurance than critics claim and more exploitation of disability insurance than the exploiters claim. Regardless, if the critics ever get their act together, on this, and document the precise level and vectors of abuse, I'll be among those clamoring for disability reform. Until then, the assumption has to be that the critics are just spewing self-serving rhetoric - saying whatever they think will pad their own bank accounts the most. There's a lot of that going around.
I think one thing that does have a major impact on this issue is the extent to which jobs are reliant on physical capability. I cannot help wonder if that aspect combined with how much American productivity has skyrocketed in the last thirty years has resulted in a lot more disability than we've experienced in the past. In a high productivity environment, physical performance is reasonably applied as a more stringent criteria. Furthermore, the risks are higher. Both of those things could prompt employers to discriminate against older worker in physical jobs, with the performance aspect and the risk aspect each serving as sufficient defense against age discrimination charges. Either that, or perhaps these things have prompted workers to push their bodies beyond what is reasonable given their ages, in the interest of retaining employment. Productivity, itself, perhaps has reclassified what used to be considered adequate physicality as disability.
Disability seems to be the "acceptable" form of welfare. I know of too many people who have been on welfare and then apply for disability. Same premise.....a steady check coming in with no effort involved.
There are people with genuine need for SS disability but way too many who game the system. Claiming mental illness seems to be popular.
I suspect that there is less exploitation of disability insurance than critics claim and more exploitation of disability insurance than the exploiters claim. Regardless, if the critics ever get their act together, on this, and document the precise level and vectors of abuse, I'll be among those clamoring for disability reform. Until then, the assumption has to be that the critics are just spewing self-serving rhetoric - saying whatever they think will pad their own bank accounts the most. There's a lot of that going around.
I think one thing that does have a major impact on this issue is the extent to which jobs are reliant on physical capability. I cannot help wonder if that aspect combined with how much American productivity has skyrocketed in the last thirty years has resulted in a lot more disability than we've experienced in the past. In a high productivity environment, physical performance is reasonably applied as a more stringent criteria. Furthermore, the risks are higher. Both of those things could prompt employers to discriminate against older worker in physical jobs, with the performance aspect and the risk aspect each serving as sufficient defense against age discrimination charges. Either that, or perhaps these things have prompted workers to push their bodies beyond what is reasonable given their ages, in the interest of retaining employment. Productivity, itself, perhaps has reclassified what used to be considered adequate physicality as disability.
One thing to consider is that of first world "civilized" nations, the U.S. runs dead last, or close to it, in terms of "holiday" time for workers and reasonable work hours in a week. The added stress, both phsically and mentally/emotionally takes its toll. Constantly increased production standards may be fine for companys' bottom lines but take their toll on workers who burn out more quickly and at younger ages. Of course, Japan may give us a run for our money.
Last edited by Curmudgeon; 06-04-2013 at 01:55 PM..
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