Dont count on Social Security at retirement time

Social Security is a supplement only, not something most people can live on when they retire. We're lucky that my husband has a great pension after 30 years working for our county building department and that we've been able to put aside money in an IRA for me (no pension here). As for what that phrase means, it simply means that "we" are stuck with Social Security while our Congressmen have their whole paychecks for life when they retire. They also voted 8 raises for themselves in the last 10 years while they refused to raise the minimum wage for "us". I think we need to yank their benefits away and put them all under the Social Security system just like the rest of us. Then maybe they'd stop giving it away to foreigners and illegal aliens and give it to the hard-working people who have paid into it all their working lives.

Yes, Social Security was never meant to be an older person's sole means of support. It was designed from the start to be just one of the "three legs" of retirement, the other two being a pension and personal savings. Of course, today the average American's savings rate is very low (or nonexistent), and many companies are eliminating pensions.

You are certainly right about that and wonder if Social Security will even be around in the near future. From what I hear there is a shortage in funds so people should not be happy or get excited about getting social security or ssdi. Even if you do get something, it will not very much and will not cover the cost of living now a days. I think many people will still be working after retirement age.

I have been retired for 4 years now. MY Social pays for my house mortgage and there is $300 left over, plus I get a pension check from the company. If you've lived right, worked right, don't spend on "extras" that you don't need, you should be o.k.