Some of these rules don't make sense to me. It sure seems like there are a lot of ways to get far more social security benefits than were ever paid in. I don't blame people for taking advantage of the rules in place but I sure don't understand them. I understand and agree with survivor benefits but I really don't understand how a non-working spouse can get half of the working spouses benefits despite never paying in. It seems that it should be distributed at a household level based on household income if the marriage is maintained into retirement. It also doesn't make sense to me that multiple ex's can all collect the same amount. I don't understand how the system can sustain itself by paying out so much more than was contributed. But I guess that's why it's supposedly going bankrupt. If I'm wrong about any of these, please correct me as I would love to know the truth. My research has only shown me tips and tricks to maximizing benefits. I've been paying social security for 10 years and have another 35 to go. I really wish it were optional because I am pretty sure I will never see this money again.

I haven't gotten a letter yet, but there has been a lot of talk about it among the residents here at the retirement community. Because so many of us are in the "older generation" and our SS was based on the rates many years ago, we were making jokes about what the increase would mean for us. We pretty much decided we should all go out to celebrate . . . maybe at the local hot dog shack!! Laughter is good for the soul. Sue

Haha. The email is clearly real. I got one and thought nothing more of it until coming upon this thread. There's an irony with this. Two-step authorization measures are implemented, in part, precisely because people get hysterical about security and perceived risks. So the very measure used to address those who are worried about security, is distrusted by those same people and leads to more feelings of risk and insecurity. Too many folks, especially oldsters, don't want to be confronted with truth or fact that conflicts with a view they've reached and want to cling to. It's unbelievable. Those of you who want to think of the email as being phony are entitled to do so. Just don't be shocked with what happens the next time you try to sign in to the SSA website (you'll be asked to supply a cell phone number to receive a text). I just tried it out, it works fine. Those who don't have a cellphone can call or visit a SSA office. This isn't a big deal, it's just an added security step for web access. Yawn.

Most people do not have any idea what life was like before Social Security. It was a life saver for so many elderly people who couldn't work anymore. I was raised by a single mother. My father died when I was 6. My father was a soldier in WW1 and got the 1918 flu. He was left with a bad heart. He got a disability from the VA but he worked after discharge as an electrician. He paid into Social Security. My mother was born in 1908 and had no education, was put to work as a child as were her other sisters. The boys went to school, but the girls worked domestic work. I was born when my mother was 48. My two brothers were 20 -22 yrs older. Married, working and had families. My mother raised me as an only child. My mother had no education, could not read or write. Never went to school. But was strict about her children having a good education. My father taught me to read at age 4. After he died, I had to work as soon as I got working papers. I worked at a library, after school for $40.00 a month. I handed her that money. After high school, the VA paid for College but I still had to work full time to help my mother. I attended Community College at night after work. Long and short, everyone has their stories why Social Security saved their lives and their families. I can't imagine what would have happened to me and my mother without it. My father, as a disabled Veteran left my mother a pension and along with that and Social Security, and my working from a young age, helped us to have a good life. VA even paid for me to attend College for 4 yrs. Until you walk in other peoples shoes, don't make comments that you haven't lived or understand. Jane