2016 Postmortem

Capisce

(1 post)

35. At a minimum

Sun Dec 9, 2012, 11:17 AM

Dec 2012

The system could be adjusted to allow those who can afford to to make annual elections to forego social security benefits (and possibly Medicare benefits) and obtain a tax deduction for that year for the value of the benefits they did not receive. Social security would pay out less and the general government fisc will take in less but overall it is a net positive for the government. Then if, heaven forbid, something tragic happens to someone who previously did not require the benefits and now needs them they simply do not make their annual election to forego the benefits. It's not means testing but it provides some tangible benefit to forego unneeded benefits without turning the system into a welfare system.

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Should Dems be thoughtfully considering broaching means testing for Social Security eligibility? [View all] Texin Dec 2012 OP

Means testing is a pretty sure route to killing SS. Jackpine Radical Dec 2012 #1

yep-- that's how the argument goes NoMoreWarNow Dec 2012 #62

Means testing is also an expensive administrative nightmare. avedon Dec 2012 #64

Yes. And raise the cap. PDJane Dec 2012 #2

If that is what it takes to shut down any conversation of raising the retirement age, then yes bluestateguy Dec 2012 #3

No. Not unless you want to further the process of privatizing and killing SS. AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2012 #4

I know an extremely rich guy who collects social security and Medicare kimbutgar Dec 2012 #5

And your example typifies what I was talking about. Texin Dec 2012 #8

I made this point on another thread democrattotheend Dec 2012 #55

No DURHAM D Dec 2012 #6

Anyone that pays into SS should get it nt newfie11 Dec 2012 #7

No, they should raise the cap! Means testing means that SS would get slashed for EVERYONE. forestpath Dec 2012 #9

25-30 years ago, I might have agreed with you. Texin Dec 2012 #13

How many of you have more than $1 million saved for retirement? reinan Dec 2012 #47

You seem to have trouble with basic math. jeff47 Dec 2012 #49

Absolutely not Zorro Dec 2012 #10

Exactly, SS is NOT a welfare program, and means testing would misrepresent it as such anneboleyn Dec 2012 #31

No. Means testing makes it a welfare program. PSPS Dec 2012 #11

Very bad idea ToxMarz Dec 2012 #12

Not necessarily democrattotheend Dec 2012 #25

No. jeff47 Dec 2012 #45

You should review the topic being discussed ToxMarz Dec 2012 #58

No. backscatter712 Dec 2012 #14

It's our only truly universal social program frazzled Dec 2012 #15

How about NO THE FUCK NO. Warren Stupidity Dec 2012 #16

That would be shrill. bunkerbuster1 Dec 2012 #41

no. First--SS and Medicare are not in trouble. brokechris Dec 2012 #17

That's really sad democrattotheend Dec 2012 #26

they are great people brokechris Dec 2012 #53

But I thought all rich people were evil? democrattotheend Dec 2012 #54

that seems to be the common thought around here. brokechris Dec 2012 #57

Hell no, fuck no and just no. Bluenorthwest Dec 2012 #18

No. Blue_In_AK Dec 2012 #19

Depends if you want to kill SS. If yes, then yes. blkmusclmachine Dec 2012 #20

Everyone should get it but have no cap marlakay Dec 2012 #21

No, very bad idea. The system is supposed to function properly and have the money Coyotl Dec 2012 #22

SS should always be there to keep people above the poverty level as a benefit, not an entitlement. Sunlei Dec 2012 #23

NO! SS is one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in the history coalition_unwilling Dec 2012 #24

why? they paid into it like everyone else. However, they should raise the cap still_one Dec 2012 #27

I do not believe they should raise the retirement age and underthematrix Dec 2012 #28

Absolutely not. That would be a death sentence for it. David__77 Dec 2012 #29

to keep it short and simple njcamden_25884 Dec 2012 #30

No. SheilaT Dec 2012 #32

they shouldnt have to pay into social security mgcgulfcoast Dec 2012 #33

nope....if you paid into the system you are entitled to medicare. madrchsod Dec 2012 #34

At a minimum Capisce Dec 2012 #35

No need. Just change the way Social Security is funded. kyungju park Dec 2012 #36

Or you could do progressive rates union_maid Dec 2012 #37

Welcome to DU, and I hope you enjoy the site. hrmjustin Dec 2012 #50

No, but Fed income tax on it can be increased for wealthier wishlist Dec 2012 #38

Yes. Anything that protects people who need it more... nt Comrade_McKenzie Dec 2012 #39

Which means testing does not do. jeff47 Dec 2012 #48

No. bunkerbuster1 Dec 2012 #40

I should probably h/t Atrios bunkerbuster1 Dec 2012 #42

Means test, no - Raise the cap, definitely. Nt jeaps Dec 2012 #43

Put me down with the No's SouthernDonkey Dec 2012 #44

NO! forestpath Dec 2012 #46

After having a long conversation on this topic with an American friend, PDJane Dec 2012 #51

Should Dems be thoughtfully considering broaching means testing for Social Security eligibility? JLII Dec 2012 #52

A better solution to the solvency problem is to raise the cap. PDJane Dec 2012 #56

No. Raise the cap. Hekate Dec 2012 #59

How to really help SS winstongator Dec 2012 #60

welcome to DU NoMoreWarNow Dec 2012 #61

Welcome to DU and I hope you enjoy the site. hrmjustin Dec 2012 #63

No. Iggo Dec 2012 #65

there is a reason why a strong welfare state has very strong support throughout Europe and Douglas Carpenter Dec 2012 #66