Social Security Checks for Ex Pats
Jul 22nd, 2006, 04:32 AM
#22
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For Budman --
Oh yes. You don't even need to be a US citizen!
We have an old friend of the family, a Swiss woman who was married to an American. He died about 50 years ago, but she's still collecting on his SS -- in Zurich.
If you're entitled, then your address doesn't matter.
s
Oh yes. You don't even need to be a US citizen!
We have an old friend of the family, a Swiss woman who was married to an American. He died about 50 years ago, but she's still collecting on his SS -- in Zurich.
If you're entitled, then your address doesn't matter.
s
Jul 22nd, 2006, 04:35 AM
#23
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Budman
I love Social Security. I'm old enough to collect, before the politicians kill this program.
Welfare via European transfers will be strange but why not. If it runs to this, I'll sign up.
Blackduff
I love Social Security. I'm old enough to collect, before the politicians kill this program.
Welfare via European transfers will be strange but why not. If it runs to this, I'll sign up.
Blackduff
Jul 22nd, 2006, 08:34 AM
#24
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She can always open a bank account with her local American Express.
When my DH had to go to an isolate tour, I went back to Rome for 15 months and stayed with my children at my parents' house.
I just opened an account with AMEX and never had any problems.
At the end of my stay, I closed my account and received the moneys left in the bank in Dollars.
When my DH had to go to an isolate tour, I went back to Rome for 15 months and stayed with my children at my parents' house.
I just opened an account with AMEX and never had any problems.
At the end of my stay, I closed my account and received the moneys left in the bank in Dollars.
Jul 22nd, 2006, 09:23 AM
#26
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Heimdall, it all depends upon your perspective -- it might as well be. The system is broken, and the politicians won't fix it. What do they care, they're not tied to it.
And Bill Gates could care less.
And Bill Gates could care less.
Jul 22nd, 2006, 09:32 AM
#27
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Adding on to Budman's comments about SS being broken but from the perspective of a 26-yr-old.
DH and I, both CPAs, have set up our retirement plan expecting to receive zero, zip, nada from SS. We consider it just another tax we pay for which we'll receive no benefits. The system as it stands now is hopelessly broken and I've yet to have anyone with "economic knowledge credibility" tell me I'll actually get anything back from it.
DH and I, both CPAs, have set up our retirement plan expecting to receive zero, zip, nada from SS. We consider it just another tax we pay for which we'll receive no benefits. The system as it stands now is hopelessly broken and I've yet to have anyone with "economic knowledge credibility" tell me I'll actually get anything back from it.
Jul 22nd, 2006, 09:39 AM
#28
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The system is not broken. The program has worked. Social Security will continue to thrive if only the politicians and the govt. keep their paws of the general fund. Too many con artists have "borrowed" from the fund to pay for other "important" priorities. Every President after FDR has collected retirement checks, it is an honest and worthwhile project. It should not be trampled by politicians or misinformed individuals.
Jul 22nd, 2006, 09:48 AM
#29
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Hi elba,
I'd very much like to think you are right. However someone, someday has to pay for our massive deficit and program shortfalls (medicare looks to have the potential of being much worse than SS), and most experts seem to agree that it will be my generation.
I'll just be pleasantly surprised if I ever get a dime from SS, but will stick to my plan for comfortable retirement without counting on it.
I'd very much like to think you are right. However someone, someday has to pay for our massive deficit and program shortfalls (medicare looks to have the potential of being much worse than SS), and most experts seem to agree that it will be my generation.
I'll just be pleasantly surprised if I ever get a dime from SS, but will stick to my plan for comfortable retirement without counting on it.
Jul 22nd, 2006, 09:55 AM
#31
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It's amazing to me to realize that 6 years ago, this country had absolutely no deficit whatsoever, in fact, there was a surplus of some 200 BILLION dollars. The changes that can be wrought in such a relatively brief period of time...
Jul 22nd, 2006, 10:14 AM
#35
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Elba is correct. It's a supplement paid into by employers & employees. It's not a welfare check but unfortunately people have collected from it who have never paid into it.
People in their 20's & 30's are fortunate that they have the retirement plan opportunities with tax benefits that previous generations didn't have or only got later on.
People in their 20's & 30's are fortunate that they have the retirement plan opportunities with tax benefits that previous generations didn't have or only got later on.
Jul 22nd, 2006, 11:05 AM
#36
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I wrote my greedy,lard-butt senator over thirty years ago and asked to be exempt from paying SS taxes, saying the government could just deposit the taxes (minus a small portion for disability insurance)in a T-bill account and then give me the balance when I reached 65.
I got a form letter back saying not to worry, the government would take care of me.
Right - based on what my employers and I have paid in, I'd be a very, very rich man if that private account had been allowed. I would also have the freedom to pass on those funds to my kids.
Now I can only expect 1500 a month and have to pay taxes on it! And if I die after my LW, my grown kids get nothing!
Do the math and you get real angry at those clowns in D.C.
I got a form letter back saying not to worry, the government would take care of me.
Right - based on what my employers and I have paid in, I'd be a very, very rich man if that private account had been allowed. I would also have the freedom to pass on those funds to my kids.
Now I can only expect 1500 a month and have to pay taxes on it! And if I die after my LW, my grown kids get nothing!
Do the math and you get real angry at those clowns in D.C.
Jul 22nd, 2006, 11:34 AM
#38
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I agree on those folks, Mike but aren't there alcoholics & drug addicts receiving SS disability? I thought I had read where newcomers to the US who were older were also getting it (might be wrong on that part.)
I think this thread might "go south" so I'll bow out of it now.
I think this thread might "go south" so I'll bow out of it now.
Jul 22nd, 2006, 11:41 AM
#39
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There are two different programs handled by Social Security
Social Security - for any person that has worked at least 10 years and contributed to the fund and is insured.
SSI - a welfare program for the aged and disabled that are not insured. They must be americans to receive any funds.
Social Security - for any person that has worked at least 10 years and contributed to the fund and is insured.
SSI - a welfare program for the aged and disabled that are not insured. They must be americans to receive any funds.
Jul 22nd, 2006, 11:52 AM
#40
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degas is right, again!!!
Politicians would lead you to believe that Social Security is the wherewithal and greatest thing since sliced bread, and they are going to make sure that it's there for everyone (except them -- they don't contribute to this welfare program).
The social security system is nothing more than a welfare system that has outlived its usefulness. It may have been a great concept 60-70 years ago, but times have changed and the system needs to be reformed.
My pet peeve is AARP lobbied against reform because it was "too risky" for its seniors to invest in the stock market -- even though it was a "voluntary" program. Now, AARP is selling mutual funds to its members. The hypocrisy stinks.
Politicians would lead you to believe that Social Security is the wherewithal and greatest thing since sliced bread, and they are going to make sure that it's there for everyone (except them -- they don't contribute to this welfare program).
The social security system is nothing more than a welfare system that has outlived its usefulness. It may have been a great concept 60-70 years ago, but times have changed and the system needs to be reformed.
My pet peeve is AARP lobbied against reform because it was "too risky" for its seniors to invest in the stock market -- even though it was a "voluntary" program. Now, AARP is selling mutual funds to its members. The hypocrisy stinks.
