McCain gets Social Security

[Contrary1]

I guess my question is "Why?" I didn't think you could draw SS and a hefty paycheck at the same time. I have known seniors who asked to be paid in cash for a few hours work a month, so they would not have to give up their benefits. None of these folks were multi millionaires, with multiple homes, married to gazillionaire heiresses; they were just trying to eat, pay bills, and get their meds. It's a disgrace alright, John Boy...yours.

"KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Although Republican presidential candidate John McCain has called Social Security "a disgrace," he still cashes his own retirement check every month.

I'm receiving the benefits, the system is broken and, unfortunately, my children and grandchildren, according to the trustees of the Social Security system, will not have the same benefits the present retirees have," McCain told reporters Thursday on his campaign bus.

McCain's 2007 tax return shows Social Security benefits of $23,157 for the year, an average of $1,929.75 a month. He said he started receiving the payments "whenever I was eligible."

Asked last week by a young woman at a town-hall meeting in Portsmouth, Ohio, if she is likely to receive Social Security benefits one day, McCain said it is unlikely without fixing the system..."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080717/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_social_security

[whistle]

1. That's much higher than I get

[Disturbed]

4. McLame also cashes his full Disabilty checks.

Is he a hypocrite?

[Muttocracy]

5. I have a relative getting less than 10K/yr

that's her only income, other than food stamps. I think her SS went up a whopping 2% for cost of living last year.

[Muttocracy]

2. smells like pork to me...but yeah, wealthy people can get SS

As far as I can tell, it's based on prior income and payments into the system, not need-based.

[Raven]

3. I guess it's OK as long as he gets his. The rest of us will have

to do without this "disgrace". I guess there's always selling pencils on the streetcorner.

[Midlodemocrat]

6. He's entitled to it because he paid into the system, but one has to ask

if that $24,000 he is getting really makes a difference to his bottom line? I've known other wealthy seniors who have declined just on the basis of good will.

He should as well. He's as big of a disgrace as Bush.

[Raineyb]

10. So being a senator isn't working?

I don't think he's entitled to SS as a retiree while he's working a full time job which I was under the impression that being a Senator was (I shall refrain from snarking about their long breaks and McLame's part-time like work schedule)

He may have retired from the Navy but he's not retired. I don't think he should be collecting any damn thing until he's out of office.

Now that may not be how the rules currently are but then that would be something else that needs changing.

Regards

[Midlodemocrat]

12. It depends more on age, I think.

I know some older folks who continued to work and received social security.

Believe me, I'm not defending that shit bag. In fact, I think the fact that he's receiving disability benefits is more attackable. If he's disabled, how can he perform his duties as a Senator or God forbid, President?

The woman who used to clean my house went on disability and couldn't work even part time without a reduction in benefits. Guess things are different for the uber wealthy, though.

[Vincardog]

7. So McShame gts a medical diaability from the Navy (After his education was paid for by the US gov)

he draws SSI and gets a Senate Salary
AND

he does not believe that the government should help any one else out?
Is that about it Mr McTwoFaces?

[eleny]

8. You would think there would be an offset based on his income as a Senator

Who knows? Maybe they voted Senatorial earnings to be exempt.

[harun]

9. One's current wealth or income does not limit their benefit

Some criticism's:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_(United_States)#Claim_that_it_discriminates_against_the_poor_and_middle-class

I am surprised he takes this benefit.

[Contrary1]

11. Yeah, I was wrong. Has it changed in the last few years?

I know of a guy who asked that his paycheck for his part time job be put in his wife's name, so he would not lose benefits.

I did find this:

*If you are under normal (or full) retirement age (FRA): when you start getting your Social Security payments, $1 in benefits will be deducted for each $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2008 that limit is $13,560 and for 2007, that limit is $12,960. Remember, the earliest age that you can receive Social Security retirement benefits remains 62 even though the FRA is rising.

*In the year you reach your FRA: $1 in benefits will be deducted for each $3 you earn above a different limit, but only counting earnings before the month you reach FRA. For 2008, this limit is $36,120; for 2007, this limit is $34,440.

*Starting with the month you reach FRA:, you will get your benefits with NO limit on your earnings.

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa.cfg/php/enduser/popup_adp.php?p_sid=o7uBB_8j&p_lva=&p_li=&p_faqid=236&p_created=957878244&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NzYsNzYmcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PTEuMyZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**

[Alter Ego]

13. Is that so?

Well, I guess we should stop paying him then.