[notdownwidems]

If you offered to accept a 16% decrease in your benefits (once you start receiving Social Security), I would have applauded you. But, I notice you didn't make that offer.

You did read the part where I said I was not receiving social security benefits, didn't you? To answer your question, I would be lad to accept a 16% or whatever other arbitrary percentage decrease you can name if and when I ever get any benefits, because x dollars - 16%is much better than $0, which is what we are going to get if these irresponsible thieves keep on as they are doing.

[justlurking]

You did read the part where I said I was not receiving social security benefits, didn't you?

Yes, I did. Did you notice my parenthetical expression acknowledging it?

To answer your question, I would be lad to accept a 16% or whatever other arbitrary percentage decrease you can name if and when I ever get any benefits, because x dollars - 16%is much better than $0, which is what we are going to get if these irresponsible thieves keep on as they are doing.

Actually, if nothing is changed -- you'll get more than $0.

Contrary to a lot of doomsayers: Once the Trust Fund is exhausted, Social Security must only reduce benefits to the level that can be sustained by the payroll taxes.

Currently, that is estimated to occur about 2034, and at that point benefits would have to be reduced 21%. The 16% reduction only if it were to be immediately applied to all current and future beneficiaries.

But, I will withdraw my previous comment: I applaud you for making that offer. You may be the first person that has done so, and I also salute you for it.