DONALD J. TRUMP & JD VANCE 2024

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  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Posts: 19,641
    edited August 5
    So there is now a tRump boat parade scheduled for Sept 7th in my hood. Should be interesting.
    Post edited by Gern Blansten on
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana
  • benjsbenjs Posts: 9,102
    So there is now a tRump boat parade scheduled for Sept 10 in my hood. Should be interesting.
    Will be wild.
    '05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2

    EV
    Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
  • Lerxst1992Lerxst1992 Posts: 6,541
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
  • Johnny AbruzzoJohnny Abruzzo Posts: 11,410
    benjs said:
    So there is now a tRump boat parade scheduled for Sept 10 in my hood. Should be interesting.
    Will be wild.
    Made me spit out coffee everywhere!
    Spectrum 10/27/09; New Orleans JazzFest 5/1/10; Made in America 9/2/12; WF Center 10/21/13; WF Center 10/22/13; Baltimore 10/27/13;
    WF Center 4/28/16; WF Center 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22;
    Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; WF Center 9/7/24; WF Center 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24

    Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Posts: 19,641
    edited August 5
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
    It won't bump anything to a higher bracket unless you are on the edge of a bracket. It would be a case by case basis.

    And I would say $100K in retirement is pretty wealthy. Most people have no debt at that point. 

    In my example...if total income is $199K then total tax is $24K or 12%. Tax bracket 22% which starts at taxable income of around $90K so the additional income does not move to a higher bracket at that income level.
    Post edited by Gern Blansten on
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Posts: 19,641
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana
  • OnWis97OnWis97 Posts: 4,989
    That's going to cost him a cabinet position.
    1995 Milwaukee     1998 Alpine, Alpine     2003 Albany, Boston, Boston, Boston     2004 Boston, Boston     2006 Hartford, St. Paul (Petty), St. Paul (Petty)     2011 Alpine, Alpine     
    2013 Wrigley     2014 St. Paul     2016 Fenway, Fenway, Wrigley, Wrigley     2018 Missoula, Wrigley, Wrigley     2021 Asbury Park     2022 St Louis     2023 Austin, Austin
  • Lerxst1992Lerxst1992 Posts: 6,541
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
    It won't bump anything to a higher bracket unless you are on the edge of a bracket. It would be a case by case basis.

    And I would say $100K in retirement is pretty wealthy. Most people have no debt at that point. 

    In my example...if total income is $199K then total tax is $24K or 12%. Tax bracket 22% which starts at taxable income of around $90K so the additional income does not move to a higher bracket at that income level.

    Right, the big jump in the tax rates is at 94k so a married couple each taking 50k from their 401k and then getting 30k each SS, not only is their SS fully at the 85% taxable, the SS income will bump them up to a 10% higher marginal rate. That income level is maybe comfortable around here, but not wealthy. The loss of the 60k SS in that example would be felt harshly.

    in this example, if my math isn’t wrong, we’re talking 25k fedl tax , 15k state tax, over 10k property taxes, and heat, utilities sales tax 10k, medical including supplemental also prob 10k. We are at 70k and haven’t even seen a penny yet to live on… now add on 10k food, 5k transportation, running out of $  quickly without that SS?
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,471
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
    You folks should start a separate thread on folks being prepared for retirement. Ill tell my story of having my health fall apart at the age of 57, how social security would rather see me just disappear or drop dead before they want to give me benefits. You know, that benefit system that I have been paying in to for over 40 fucking years.  
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Posts: 19,641
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
    It won't bump anything to a higher bracket unless you are on the edge of a bracket. It would be a case by case basis.

    And I would say $100K in retirement is pretty wealthy. Most people have no debt at that point. 

    In my example...if total income is $199K then total tax is $24K or 12%. Tax bracket 22% which starts at taxable income of around $90K so the additional income does not move to a higher bracket at that income level.

    Right, the big jump in the tax rates is at 94k so a married couple each taking 50k from their 401k and then getting 30k each SS, not only is their SS fully at the 85% taxable, the SS income will bump them up to a 10% higher marginal rate. That income level is maybe comfortable around here, but not wealthy. The loss of the 60k SS in that example would be felt harshly.

    in this example, if my math isn’t wrong, we’re talking 25k fedl tax , 15k state tax, over 10k property taxes, and heat, utilities sales tax 10k, medical including supplemental also prob 10k. We are at 70k and haven’t even seen a penny yet to live on… now add on 10k food, 5k transportation, running out of $  quickly without that SS?
    Let's use exact numbers...and remember that entering a higher bracket doesn't pull all income into that tax rate. Only the income in that bracket gets taxed higher

    Married Joint, $50K each plus $30K each in SS. Tax would be $16,220 on total income of $160,000. 22% bracket but effective rate of 10%. A lot of states don't tax SS benefits and NY is one of them.






    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana
  • Lerxst1992Lerxst1992 Posts: 6,541
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
    You folks should start a separate thread on folks being prepared for retirement. Ill tell my story of having my health fall apart at the age of 57, how social security would rather see me just disappear or drop dead before they want to give me benefits. You know, that benefit system that I have been paying in to for over 40 fucking years.  
    Sorry to hear about your health issues speedy. I also have some very surprising health issues requiring a couple of procedures, never thought I would be down this road but yet here it is. I know as we get older it gets damn near impossible to qualify for Social Security disability (guessing that's what you were referring to)

    I researched if there are doctors that specialize in things like that, and surprisingly there's very little help out there. I don't have one big thing wrong , but I have three or four smaller things that are wrong, that would make getting a "retirement job" in something like retail in a few years damn near impossible, once my luck in avoiding "forced corporate retirement" ends.

    Once we get to a certain age doctors just make assumptions that we are not disabled
  • Go BeaversGo Beavers Posts: 8,972
    OnWis97 said:
    That's going to cost him a cabinet position.
    He was so close to being the anti-vaccine Czar. 
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,471
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
    You folks should start a separate thread on folks being prepared for retirement. Ill tell my story of having my health fall apart at the age of 57, how social security would rather see me just disappear or drop dead before they want to give me benefits. You know, that benefit system that I have been paying in to for over 40 fucking years.  
    Sorry to hear about your health issues speedy. I also have some very surprising health issues requiring a couple of procedures, never thought I would be down this road but yet here it is. I know as we get older it gets damn near impossible to qualify for Social Security disability (guessing that's what you were referring to)

    I researched if there are doctors that specialize in things like that, and surprisingly there's very little help out there. I don't have one big thing wrong , but I have three or four smaller things that are wrong, that would make getting a "retirement job" in something like retail in a few years damn near impossible, once my luck in avoiding "forced corporate retirement" ends.

    Once we get to a certain age doctors just make assumptions that we are not disabled
    Never in a BILLION YEARS did I think I would be in my situation. But here I am. It's been 14 MONTHS and disability still hasn't made a decision. Here is a statistic for you, in the United States, over 60% of people who apply for disability, are DENIED the 1st time they apply. 
    After 14 months of our disability system reviewing all my medical records, after they spent 14 months supposedly reviewing notes from my primary doctor, my cardiologist, my neurosurgeon, and my neurologist, disability decided I needed to see one of their doctors for "another opinion". 
     That fucking doctor literally asked me 5 questions, checked my reflexes, and sent me on my way. THIS GUY IS NOW GOING TO DETERMINE IF I QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY? You have to be fucking kidding me. I honestly have no idea how this is going to turn out. 
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Posts: 19,641
    edited August 5
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
    You folks should start a separate thread on folks being prepared for retirement. Ill tell my story of having my health fall apart at the age of 57, how social security would rather see me just disappear or drop dead before they want to give me benefits. You know, that benefit system that I have been paying in to for over 40 fucking years.  
    Sorry to hear about your health issues speedy. I also have some very surprising health issues requiring a couple of procedures, never thought I would be down this road but yet here it is. I know as we get older it gets damn near impossible to qualify for Social Security disability (guessing that's what you were referring to)

    I researched if there are doctors that specialize in things like that, and surprisingly there's very little help out there. I don't have one big thing wrong , but I have three or four smaller things that are wrong, that would make getting a "retirement job" in something like retail in a few years damn near impossible, once my luck in avoiding "forced corporate retirement" ends.

    Once we get to a certain age doctors just make assumptions that we are not disabled
    Never in a BILLION YEARS did I think I would be in my situation. But here I am. It's been 14 MONTHS and disability still hasn't made a decision. Here is a statistic for you, in the United States, over 60% of people who apply for disability, are DENIED the 1st time they apply. 
    After 14 months of our disability system reviewing all my medical records, after they spent 14 months supposedly reviewing notes from my primary doctor, my cardiologist, my neurosurgeon, and my neurologist, disability decided I needed to see one of their doctors for "another opinion". 
     That fucking doctor literally asked me 5 questions, checked my reflexes, and sent me on my way. THIS GUY IS NOW GOING TO DETERMINE IF I QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY? You have to be fucking kidding me. I honestly have no idea how this is going to turn out. 
    Stick with it. Over the years I have seen several people get the benefit even after fighting it for a few years. They do give you retroactive benefits....at least in many situations that I've seen.

    There is actually a special tax treatment for the retroactive benefits as they let you pay tax on it in the year that you should have received it rather than the lump sum year.
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,471
    edited August 5
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
    You folks should start a separate thread on folks being prepared for retirement. Ill tell my story of having my health fall apart at the age of 57, how social security would rather see me just disappear or drop dead before they want to give me benefits. You know, that benefit system that I have been paying in to for over 40 fucking years.  
    Sorry to hear about your health issues speedy. I also have some very surprising health issues requiring a couple of procedures, never thought I would be down this road but yet here it is. I know as we get older it gets damn near impossible to qualify for Social Security disability (guessing that's what you were referring to)

    I researched if there are doctors that specialize in things like that, and surprisingly there's very little help out there. I don't have one big thing wrong , but I have three or four smaller things that are wrong, that would make getting a "retirement job" in something like retail in a few years damn near impossible, once my luck in avoiding "forced corporate retirement" ends.

    Once we get to a certain age doctors just make assumptions that we are not disabled
    Never in a BILLION YEARS did I think I would be in my situation. But here I am. It's been 14 MONTHS and disability still hasn't made a decision. Here is a statistic for you, in the United States, over 60% of people who apply for disability, are DENIED the 1st time they apply. 
    After 14 months of our disability system reviewing all my medical records, after they spent 14 months supposedly reviewing notes from my primary doctor, my cardiologist, my neurosurgeon, and my neurologist, disability decided I needed to see one of their doctors for "another opinion". 
     That fucking doctor literally asked me 5 questions, checked my reflexes, and sent me on my way. THIS GUY IS NOW GOING TO DETERMINE IF I QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY? You have to be fucking kidding me. I honestly have no idea how this is going to turn out. 
    Stick with it. Over the years I have seen several people get the benefit even after fighting it for a few years. They do give you retroactive benefits....at least in many situations that I've seen.

    There is actually a special tax treatment for the retroactive benefits as they let you pay tax on it in the year that you should have received it rather than the lump sum year.
    And that's exactly what I mean as far as being prepared for retirement, or being prepared for a "DISASTER". How many people here could go 1-2 years without any type of income whatsoever? Im guessing less than 5% of the folks here. Its as if the system wants you to file bankruptcy, foreclose on your house, live in a cardboard box, and then drop dead. 

    And as far as the retroactive payments, they will only pay you retroactive for 1 year. So if some poor soul waits 3 years to get approved, he only gets back pay of 1 year. 
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 41,734
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
    You folks should start a separate thread on folks being prepared for retirement. Ill tell my story of having my health fall apart at the age of 57, how social security would rather see me just disappear or drop dead before they want to give me benefits. You know, that benefit system that I have been paying in to for over 40 fucking years.  
    Sorry to hear about your health issues speedy. I also have some very surprising health issues requiring a couple of procedures, never thought I would be down this road but yet here it is. I know as we get older it gets damn near impossible to qualify for Social Security disability (guessing that's what you were referring to)

    I researched if there are doctors that specialize in things like that, and surprisingly there's very little help out there. I don't have one big thing wrong , but I have three or four smaller things that are wrong, that would make getting a "retirement job" in something like retail in a few years damn near impossible, once my luck in avoiding "forced corporate retirement" ends.

    Once we get to a certain age doctors just make assumptions that we are not disabled
    Never in a BILLION YEARS did I think I would be in my situation. But here I am. It's been 14 MONTHS and disability still hasn't made a decision. Here is a statistic for you, in the United States, over 60% of people who apply for disability, are DENIED the 1st time they apply. 
    After 14 months of our disability system reviewing all my medical records, after they spent 14 months supposedly reviewing notes from my primary doctor, my cardiologist, my neurosurgeon, and my neurologist, disability decided I needed to see one of their doctors for "another opinion". 
     That fucking doctor literally asked me 5 questions, checked my reflexes, and sent me on my way. THIS GUY IS NOW GOING TO DETERMINE IF I QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY? You have to be fucking kidding me. I honestly have no idea how this is going to turn out. 

    Sorry man, that sucks. 
    It took me two years and help from a lawyer to get partial disability for an injury that left me with with really messed up hearing- auditory nerve damage, bad tinnitus, hyperacusis and recruitment.  The final settlement was a pittance because my disability is "invisible".  I was turned down a number of times but just kept at it.  Keep trying.  The system is built to force you to keep appealing.  I know that sucks, but that's how it's set up.  I hope you get there!
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
    You folks should start a separate thread on folks being prepared for retirement. Ill tell my story of having my health fall apart at the age of 57, how social security would rather see me just disappear or drop dead before they want to give me benefits. You know, that benefit system that I have been paying in to for over 40 fucking years.  
    Sorry to hear about your health issues speedy. I also have some very surprising health issues requiring a couple of procedures, never thought I would be down this road but yet here it is. I know as we get older it gets damn near impossible to qualify for Social Security disability (guessing that's what you were referring to)

    I researched if there are doctors that specialize in things like that, and surprisingly there's very little help out there. I don't have one big thing wrong , but I have three or four smaller things that are wrong, that would make getting a "retirement job" in something like retail in a few years damn near impossible, once my luck in avoiding "forced corporate retirement" ends.

    Once we get to a certain age doctors just make assumptions that we are not disabled

    Our system is not set up well to support seniors.  SS is not enough to live on.  It would be darned near impossible for me to have any kind of a job today.  Every day is a crap shoot.  My hearing is shot, I have arthritis and neuritis, and IBS.  Some days I have mild vertigo which now and then is so bad it's debilitating.  I have an autoimmune condition that affects me in a number of ways including having a very restricted diet.  I never know which days I will be functional.  That's one of the reasons I keep up my little used book business on-line.  It brings in a little income.  Scanners and low-ball sellers are making it hard to keep up with finding books I can sell, but I still have decent inventory, otherwise I would be scouring thrift stores for things to sell on eBay. 

    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • Go BeaversGo Beavers Posts: 8,972
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
    You folks should start a separate thread on folks being prepared for retirement. Ill tell my story of having my health fall apart at the age of 57, how social security would rather see me just disappear or drop dead before they want to give me benefits. You know, that benefit system that I have been paying in to for over 40 fucking years.  
    Sorry to hear about your health issues speedy. I also have some very surprising health issues requiring a couple of procedures, never thought I would be down this road but yet here it is. I know as we get older it gets damn near impossible to qualify for Social Security disability (guessing that's what you were referring to)

    I researched if there are doctors that specialize in things like that, and surprisingly there's very little help out there. I don't have one big thing wrong , but I have three or four smaller things that are wrong, that would make getting a "retirement job" in something like retail in a few years damn near impossible, once my luck in avoiding "forced corporate retirement" ends.

    Once we get to a certain age doctors just make assumptions that we are not disabled
    Never in a BILLION YEARS did I think I would be in my situation. But here I am. It's been 14 MONTHS and disability still hasn't made a decision. Here is a statistic for you, in the United States, over 60% of people who apply for disability, are DENIED the 1st time they apply. 
    After 14 months of our disability system reviewing all my medical records, after they spent 14 months supposedly reviewing notes from my primary doctor, my cardiologist, my neurosurgeon, and my neurologist, disability decided I needed to see one of their doctors for "another opinion". 
     That fucking doctor literally asked me 5 questions, checked my reflexes, and sent me on my way. THIS GUY IS NOW GOING TO DETERMINE IF I QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY? You have to be fucking kidding me. I honestly have no idea how this is going to turn out. 
    Stick with it. Over the years I have seen several people get the benefit even after fighting it for a few years. They do give you retroactive benefits....at least in many situations that I've seen.

    There is actually a special tax treatment for the retroactive benefits as they let you pay tax on it in the year that you should have received it rather than the lump sum year.
    And that's exactly what I mean as far as being prepared for retirement, or being prepared for a "DISASTER". How many people here could go 1-2 years without any type of income whatsoever? Im guessing less than 5% of the folks here. Its as if the system wants you to file bankruptcy, foreclose on your house, live in a cardboard box, and then drop dead. 

    And as far as the retroactive payments, they will only pay you retroactive for 1 year. So if some poor soul waits 3 years to get approved, he only gets back pay of 1 year. 
    I don’t know if you have a lawyer for this, but I’ve heard it’s helpful, if not almost a requirement. 
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,471
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
    You folks should start a separate thread on folks being prepared for retirement. Ill tell my story of having my health fall apart at the age of 57, how social security would rather see me just disappear or drop dead before they want to give me benefits. You know, that benefit system that I have been paying in to for over 40 fucking years.  
    Sorry to hear about your health issues speedy. I also have some very surprising health issues requiring a couple of procedures, never thought I would be down this road but yet here it is. I know as we get older it gets damn near impossible to qualify for Social Security disability (guessing that's what you were referring to)

    I researched if there are doctors that specialize in things like that, and surprisingly there's very little help out there. I don't have one big thing wrong , but I have three or four smaller things that are wrong, that would make getting a "retirement job" in something like retail in a few years damn near impossible, once my luck in avoiding "forced corporate retirement" ends.

    Once we get to a certain age doctors just make assumptions that we are not disabled
    Never in a BILLION YEARS did I think I would be in my situation. But here I am. It's been 14 MONTHS and disability still hasn't made a decision. Here is a statistic for you, in the United States, over 60% of people who apply for disability, are DENIED the 1st time they apply. 
    After 14 months of our disability system reviewing all my medical records, after they spent 14 months supposedly reviewing notes from my primary doctor, my cardiologist, my neurosurgeon, and my neurologist, disability decided I needed to see one of their doctors for "another opinion". 
     That fucking doctor literally asked me 5 questions, checked my reflexes, and sent me on my way. THIS GUY IS NOW GOING TO DETERMINE IF I QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY? You have to be fucking kidding me. I honestly have no idea how this is going to turn out. 
    Stick with it. Over the years I have seen several people get the benefit even after fighting it for a few years. They do give you retroactive benefits....at least in many situations that I've seen.

    There is actually a special tax treatment for the retroactive benefits as they let you pay tax on it in the year that you should have received it rather than the lump sum year.
    And that's exactly what I mean as far as being prepared for retirement, or being prepared for a "DISASTER". How many people here could go 1-2 years without any type of income whatsoever? Im guessing less than 5% of the folks here. Its as if the system wants you to file bankruptcy, foreclose on your house, live in a cardboard box, and then drop dead. 

    And as far as the retroactive payments, they will only pay you retroactive for 1 year. So if some poor soul waits 3 years to get approved, he only gets back pay of 1 year. 
    I don’t know if you have a lawyer for this, but I’ve heard it’s helpful, if not almost a requirement. 
    A lawyer becomes a "requirement" once you have been denied. The lawyer is really of no benefit during your first filing for disability. 
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • Go BeaversGo Beavers Posts: 8,972
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
    You folks should start a separate thread on folks being prepared for retirement. Ill tell my story of having my health fall apart at the age of 57, how social security would rather see me just disappear or drop dead before they want to give me benefits. You know, that benefit system that I have been paying in to for over 40 fucking years.  
    Sorry to hear about your health issues speedy. I also have some very surprising health issues requiring a couple of procedures, never thought I would be down this road but yet here it is. I know as we get older it gets damn near impossible to qualify for Social Security disability (guessing that's what you were referring to)

    I researched if there are doctors that specialize in things like that, and surprisingly there's very little help out there. I don't have one big thing wrong , but I have three or four smaller things that are wrong, that would make getting a "retirement job" in something like retail in a few years damn near impossible, once my luck in avoiding "forced corporate retirement" ends.

    Once we get to a certain age doctors just make assumptions that we are not disabled
    Never in a BILLION YEARS did I think I would be in my situation. But here I am. It's been 14 MONTHS and disability still hasn't made a decision. Here is a statistic for you, in the United States, over 60% of people who apply for disability, are DENIED the 1st time they apply. 
    After 14 months of our disability system reviewing all my medical records, after they spent 14 months supposedly reviewing notes from my primary doctor, my cardiologist, my neurosurgeon, and my neurologist, disability decided I needed to see one of their doctors for "another opinion". 
     That fucking doctor literally asked me 5 questions, checked my reflexes, and sent me on my way. THIS GUY IS NOW GOING TO DETERMINE IF I QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY? You have to be fucking kidding me. I honestly have no idea how this is going to turn out. 
    Stick with it. Over the years I have seen several people get the benefit even after fighting it for a few years. They do give you retroactive benefits....at least in many situations that I've seen.

    There is actually a special tax treatment for the retroactive benefits as they let you pay tax on it in the year that you should have received it rather than the lump sum year.
    And that's exactly what I mean as far as being prepared for retirement, or being prepared for a "DISASTER". How many people here could go 1-2 years without any type of income whatsoever? Im guessing less than 5% of the folks here. Its as if the system wants you to file bankruptcy, foreclose on your house, live in a cardboard box, and then drop dead. 

    And as far as the retroactive payments, they will only pay you retroactive for 1 year. So if some poor soul waits 3 years to get approved, he only gets back pay of 1 year. 
    I don’t know if you have a lawyer for this, but I’ve heard it’s helpful, if not almost a requirement. 
    A lawyer becomes a "requirement" once you have been denied. The lawyer is really of no benefit during your first filing for disability. 
    Ah okay. I wasn’t sure of the timelines. I’ve mostly seen when it gets awarded and there’s a lump sum from backdating the “start date”. 
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,471
    SS benefits for people who were high earners is decent income. Not unusual to see $55k per year for some people. 

    Unfortunately to survive in the NY suburbs, retirees will need an income they makes the majority of SS taxable. Supplemental insurance and property taxes consume the majority of the $44k. If they’re renting, even worse. Like the entire federal code, HCOL regions get screwed.


    edit, I mention  Supplemental insurance and property taxes because these are costs that get us nowhere, they are “existence expenses.” Now let’s add heat, utilities, food, out of pocket medical. It takes almost 100k cash to live around here.
    yeah it's not that cut and dry...when income hits $44K that doesn't mean that 85% of your benefit is taxable.

    Here are some real figues

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $40K...total social security benefit is $33,502. So..true total income is $73,502 yet only $7,100 in SS benefits is taxable or 21% of the benefit.

    Married Joint...Income other than SS is $80K...total ss benefit $33,502. True total income $113,502, then $28,477 of SS is taxable which is the full 85% (total tax would be $7,190 or 6.3% of total income)

    so...it's another benefit for wealthy taxpayers and does little to nothing for everyone else


    Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy. Around here, I’m not sure how families get by for less than 10k cash per month. I wouldn’t exactly call SS a benefit. We’ve been paying in since our teen years. If they want to lump sum me the cash value of contributions plus 2% inflation, seems fair ;)

    If one spouse is working in your example, the SS benefit will also bump the wages to a higher bracket. Middle class household AGI needs to be closer to $200k to be barely comfortable middle class in HCOL regions, yet still need that $3k per month from SS to retire.

    what the tax code defines as wealthy is barely getting by in HCOL regions. I’d love to move to a lower cost region, but ties here make that not so easy.
    You folks should start a separate thread on folks being prepared for retirement. Ill tell my story of having my health fall apart at the age of 57, how social security would rather see me just disappear or drop dead before they want to give me benefits. You know, that benefit system that I have been paying in to for over 40 fucking years.  
    Sorry to hear about your health issues speedy. I also have some very surprising health issues requiring a couple of procedures, never thought I would be down this road but yet here it is. I know as we get older it gets damn near impossible to qualify for Social Security disability (guessing that's what you were referring to)

    I researched if there are doctors that specialize in things like that, and surprisingly there's very little help out there. I don't have one big thing wrong , but I have three or four smaller things that are wrong, that would make getting a "retirement job" in something like retail in a few years damn near impossible, once my luck in avoiding "forced corporate retirement" ends.

    Once we get to a certain age doctors just make assumptions that we are not disabled
    Never in a BILLION YEARS did I think I would be in my situation. But here I am. It's been 14 MONTHS and disability still hasn't made a decision. Here is a statistic for you, in the United States, over 60% of people who apply for disability, are DENIED the 1st time they apply. 
    After 14 months of our disability system reviewing all my medical records, after they spent 14 months supposedly reviewing notes from my primary doctor, my cardiologist, my neurosurgeon, and my neurologist, disability decided I needed to see one of their doctors for "another opinion". 
     That fucking doctor literally asked me 5 questions, checked my reflexes, and sent me on my way. THIS GUY IS NOW GOING TO DETERMINE IF I QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY? You have to be fucking kidding me. I honestly have no idea how this is going to turn out. 
    Stick with it. Over the years I have seen several people get the benefit even after fighting it for a few years. They do give you retroactive benefits....at least in many situations that I've seen.

    There is actually a special tax treatment for the retroactive benefits as they let you pay tax on it in the year that you should have received it rather than the lump sum year.
    And that's exactly what I mean as far as being prepared for retirement, or being prepared for a "DISASTER". How many people here could go 1-2 years without any type of income whatsoever? Im guessing less than 5% of the folks here. Its as if the system wants you to file bankruptcy, foreclose on your house, live in a cardboard box, and then drop dead. 

    And as far as the retroactive payments, they will only pay you retroactive for 1 year. So if some poor soul waits 3 years to get approved, he only gets back pay of 1 year. 
    I don’t know if you have a lawyer for this, but I’ve heard it’s helpful, if not almost a requirement. 
    A lawyer becomes a "requirement" once you have been denied. The lawyer is really of no benefit during your first filing for disability. 
    Ah okay. I wasn’t sure of the timelines. I’ve mostly seen when it gets awarded and there’s a lump sum from backdating the “start date”. 
    And that lawyer is going to take 25%, up to $7200 of that retroactive 1st payment.
    And that goes up to $9200 this November. 
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Posts: 19,641
    I'm no expert on that but I know I have seen three years retroactive...maybe they have changed that though.
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,471
    I'm no expert on that but I know I have seen three years retroactive...maybe they have changed that though.
    Ok.
    You can claim up to a years back pay, minus a 5 month waiting period, for the period you were 1st disabled and the the time you put in your application.
    You can claim your full back pay amount for the pending time between your application and your approval. 

    Looks like I stand corrected. And what's funny, I have talked to more than a few lawyers about this whole situation. The 5 month waiting period, the retroactive back pay, the amount of time I can be compensated for as far as retroactive pay, etc. etc. 

    And each and every one of those lawyers has different answers. Hahahaha

    But as of today, in the article I just read, YES if this goes on for another year, then I would be granted much more than just 12 months worth of retro pay. 
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,471
    One thing that baffles me about the whole disability situation? 

    Shouldn't one's medical records speak for themselves? What changes as far as being approved, BASED ON MEDICAL RECORDS, once a lawyer has become involved? How is it that somebody can be denied, yet 6 months later be approved, once he pays a lawyer $7200? How did that lawyer and $7200 change that person's medical history? 
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • PoncierPoncier Posts: 16,709
    OnWis97 said:
    That's going to cost him a cabinet position.
    Secretary of Parasites will have to go to Rubio instead.
    This weekend we rock Portland
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Posts: 19,641
    One thing that baffles me about the whole disability situation? 

    Shouldn't one's medical records speak for themselves? What changes as far as being approved, BASED ON MEDICAL RECORDS, once a lawyer has become involved? How is it that somebody can be denied, yet 6 months later be approved, once he pays a lawyer $7200? How did that lawyer and $7200 change that person's medical history? 
    You would sure think so...makes you wonder if they are just hoping people will give up. Kind of the same strategy for insurance companies rejecting claims hoping that the insured just gets tired of the fight.
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,471
    One thing that baffles me about the whole disability situation? 

    Shouldn't one's medical records speak for themselves? What changes as far as being approved, BASED ON MEDICAL RECORDS, once a lawyer has become involved? How is it that somebody can be denied, yet 6 months later be approved, once he pays a lawyer $7200? How did that lawyer and $7200 change that person's medical history? 
    You would sure think so...makes you wonder if they are just hoping people will give up. Kind of the same strategy for insurance companies rejecting claims hoping that the insured just gets tired of the fight.
    You and I both know, it's a no brainer. They want you to get tired fighting, or they want you to drop dead. Its absolutely disgusting. 

    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Posts: 19,641
    One thing that baffles me about the whole disability situation? 

    Shouldn't one's medical records speak for themselves? What changes as far as being approved, BASED ON MEDICAL RECORDS, once a lawyer has become involved? How is it that somebody can be denied, yet 6 months later be approved, once he pays a lawyer $7200? How did that lawyer and $7200 change that person's medical history? 
    You would sure think so...makes you wonder if they are just hoping people will give up. Kind of the same strategy for insurance companies rejecting claims hoping that the insured just gets tired of the fight.
    You and I both know, it's a no brainer. They want you to get tired fighting, or they want you to drop dead. Its absolutely disgusting. 

    I can understand a certain degree of skepticism since money is on the line but yeah the best proof would be medical records. If a doctor signs off on it that should put a lot of weight toward the approval.
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,471
    edited August 5
    One thing that baffles me about the whole disability situation? 

    Shouldn't one's medical records speak for themselves? What changes as far as being approved, BASED ON MEDICAL RECORDS, once a lawyer has become involved? How is it that somebody can be denied, yet 6 months later be approved, once he pays a lawyer $7200? How did that lawyer and $7200 change that person's medical history? 
    You would sure think so...makes you wonder if they are just hoping people will give up. Kind of the same strategy for insurance companies rejecting claims hoping that the insured just gets tired of the fight.
    You and I both know, it's a no brainer. They want you to get tired fighting, or they want you to drop dead. Its absolutely disgusting. 

    I can understand a certain degree of skepticism since money is on the line but yeah the best proof would be medical records. If a doctor signs off on it that should put a lot of weight toward the approval.
    Disability is based on a number of factors along with ones medical situation. Work history, age, education, is one capable of performing the job he has had the last 10-15 years, is one young enough to be "trained" so that he or she can work in another field, and a couple others. But one would think that the medical condition one has, would speak for itself. 


    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Posts: 19,641

    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 41,734
    One thing that baffles me about the whole disability situation? 

    Shouldn't one's medical records speak for themselves? What changes as far as being approved, BASED ON MEDICAL RECORDS, once a lawyer has become involved? How is it that somebody can be denied, yet 6 months later be approved, once he pays a lawyer $7200? How did that lawyer and $7200 change that person's medical history? 

    Excellent questions.  I asked them myself, several times, and all I ever got was either, "They want to weed out fakers" or "They don't want to have to pay out money."  Never a satisfactory answer.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













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