Should you take the money?

[moneybags]

How do you not collect social security? I never thought about it, but assumed the checks will arrive in the mail starting on my 65th birthday.

I believe you have to apply for it.

[maat55]

Yeah, I don't want to have "that" debate either. Pretend we are talking about your state government. Or an administration you generally approve of.

If you two decide to debate, i'm on your side. I won't aplly for anything. but I will better use anything they give me.

[FrugalTexan75]

Gamecock,

SS benefits won't start until around your 67 1/2 th birthday -- although probably by the time you or I qualify, that age will be higher. My dad, who was born on July 5, 1944 will not qualify for SS until January 5, 2011.

[gamecock43]

Yeah....I think I will start to look into SS in about 40 years, when it is a relevent subject to me.

BTW-OP- I learned that I do take govt. handouts without question. I thought the govt. was giving away free $7500 tax credits for 1st time home buyers and I was all ready to stand in line and sign up for that one. Of course I am not opposed to first time home buyer credits, but dont think it does much to help our national debt.
But the govt. is already a trillion dollars in debt, what would refusing $7500 do? Nothing. But it would help me alot.

[cptacek]

I think you guys are right. Vote with your vote, your email, your phone calls to your congressman, etc. Don't lie, cheat and steal to get your hands on government money that by rights you shouldn't get, but if you do qualify for it don't go screaming the other way!

Some of the things I am talking about is you can get "student loan rates" interest loans to buy land with if you can't get a bank to loan you the money. Also, they will help you put in water pipes to different parts of your pastures so you can water your cattle more effectively and manage the grass better. They will pay for half of it but they have to approve the plans and agree that it will improve the grazing. It's not like they are mailing us checks to the post office! I wish! We have two p.o. boxes

I guess I do want to have a little of "that" debate. Ted Kennedy (and many, many, many other rich democrats and republicans in power but I'm trying to prove a point here) also collects Social Security. So, which one is he:
A) Believes Social Security as it is is NOT broken?
B) A hypocrite like someone said McCain is?
I don't see any other options if you believe McCain is a hypocrite for cashing his (which I don't, but logically, that is the outcome if you do).

[gamecock43]

[I]I guess I do want to have a little of "that" debate. Ted Kennedy (and many, many, many other rich democrats and republicans in power but I'm trying to prove a point here) also collects Social Security.

Are you asking which politian is the most financially irresponcible? Or the most financially corrupt? That could be fun! New thread! New thread!

[GrimJack]

If it makes you feel uncomfortable, don't take it.
If you are philosophically against 'those people' getting that money, don't take it yourself.
It is fraud to use student loan funds to buy land - you can go to jail for it (you are signing an official document that probably says something about penalties on it somewhere).

You can start early retirement and get reduced SS insurance payments - the real gamblers don't start taking their SS until they are 70(??) to get maximum returns. The calculation was that if I start taking ss at retirement (66) and live to 90, your total return is less than if I wait until age 70 (my monthly check increases by .066% each month I delay past retirement until age 70), I will get about 124% of my primary insurance amount. Note that it is called Social Security is generally referred to as 'insurance'.

I would jump in on 'that discussion', too.

[cptacek]

no, no, no, "student loan LIKE" as in subsidized interest rates specifically used to buy land with.

[GrimJack]

no, no, no, "student loan LIKE" as in subsidized interest rates specifically used to buy land with.

Oops,Sorry! I had a flash of a game I use to play in the '70s; the game starts when you take out a student loan then drop out of school and use the money to buy and sell stuff.