Posted on 01/01/2007 8:04:50 AM PST by WatchingInAmazement
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After numerous refusals over three and a half years, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has released the first known public copy of the U.S.-Mexico Social Security Totalization Agreement. The government was forced to make the disclosure in response to lawsuits filed under the Freedom of Information Act by TREA Senior Citizens League, a 1.2 million-member nonpartisan seniors advocacy group.
The Totalization Agreement could allow millions of illegal Mexican workers to draw billions of dollars from the U.S. Social Security Trust Fund.
The agreement between the U.S. and Mexico was signed in June 2004, and is awaiting President Bush's signature. Once President Bush approves the agreement, which would be done without Congressional vote, either House of Congress would have 60 days to disapprove the agreement by voting to reject it.
"The Social Security Administration itself warns that Social Security is within decades of bankruptcy -- yet, they seem to have no problem making agreements that hasten its demise," said Ralph McCutchen, Chairman of the TREA Senior Citizens League.
The U.S. currently has 21 similar agreements in effect with other nations, which are intended to eliminate dual taxation for persons who work outside their country of origin. All of the agreements are with developed nations with economies similar to that of the U.S.
For example, a worker who turns 62 after 1990 generally needs 40 calendar quarters of coverage to receive retirement benefits. Under totalization agreements, workers are allowed to combine earnings from both countries in order to qualify for benefits. The Agreement with Mexico, like other totalization agreements, would allow workers to qualify with just six quarters, or 18 months, of U.S. coverage.
But Mexico's retirement system is radically different than that of other participating countries. For example, only 40 percent of non-government workers participate in Mexico's system, whereas 96 percent of America's non- government workers do. In addition, the U.S. system is progressive, meaning lower wage earners get back much more than they put in; in Mexico, workers get back only what they put in, plus accrued interest.
"I applaud the persistent efforts of TREA Senior Citizens League to try to get documents from the U.S. Government about the U.S.-Mexico Social Security Totalization Agreement," said Rep. Walter Jones (news, bio, voting record) (R-N.C.). "The American people are finally beginning to get some of the information regarding this Agreement that they have been seeking for so long."
According to the SSA, the Social Security Trust Fund will begin paying out more than it is taking in by 2017, and will be exhausted by the year 2040.
With 1.2 million members, TREA Senior Citizens League is one of the nation's largest nonpartisan seniors groups. Visit http://www.SeniorsLeague.org for more information or to see the Totalization Agreement documents.
SOURCE TREA Senior Citizens League
Strange you would say that. Were you ever a dim? That's the exact same chit they told us. 'We'll do your thinking for you, just vote like we tell you.'
If this isnt' something legitimate to complain about, then what the **** is?
Luis, is this the same soc sec slush you believed was increasing the taxpayer value for the invasion of illegal immigrants, the 'plus' balancing out the loss in social programs? I would now venture that the net loss is much greater than we were debating the other night!
For more information, request GAO report #GAO-03-993, “Social Security: Proposed Totalization Agreement with Mexico Presents Unique Challenges.”
According to the GAO report, the agreement will likely increase the number of “unauthorized” Mexican workers and their family members eligible for social security benefits.
The Social Security Administration’s estimate is that only about 50,000 Mexican workers (both legal and illegal) will enter the program in its first year at a cost of $78 million. This ignores the fact that presently there are an estimated 5 to 6 million undocumented Mexicans now in the American workforce. In 2004, the SSA did a study and determined that there were up to 800,000 mis-matched social security accounts, many of which were workers using non-work social security cards, or worse, using stolen social security numbers.
Meanwhile, estimates of the SSA are that by 2050 only 300,000 Mexican workers in the U.S. would be in the system at a cost projection of $650 million annually.
Among its negative findings, the GAO summarized its report this way:“Under the Social Security Act, all earnings from employment in the United States count towards earning social security benefits, regardless of the lawful presence of the worker, his or her citizenship status, or country of residence. Immigrants [both legal and otherwise] become entitled to benefits from unauthorized work if they can prove that the earnings and related contributions belong to them. However, they cannot collect such benefits unless [or until] they are either legally present in the United States [hence the Administration’s Guest Worker Program], or living in a country where SSA is authorized to pay them their benefits. [Hence an SSA office in Mexico City] Mexico is such a country.”
The GAO continued, “A lack of transparency in the SSA’s processes, and the limited nature of its review of Mexico’s program, [a two-day visit] cause us to question the extent to which SSA will be positioned to respond to potential program risks should a totalization agreement with Mexico take place.”
A Congressional Ways & Means Committee Fact Sheet (Sept. 22, 2004) takes note that, “A totalization agreement with Mexico overrides restrictions to non-citizen spouses and children.” In effect, the U.S. Mexico Totalization Agreement signed June 29, 2004 allows non-citizen spouses and children residing outside of the United States to receive social security benefits.
By law Bush can't seek the U.S. Presidency again, but it appears plans for the the campaign for president of the North American Union may be underway.
None of the countries we have agreements with have 12 - 20 million illegal aliens (sorry, I meant undocumented workers) in the U.S.
I know God protects drunks. But there is no reason why he has to protect damned fools!
I think Americans should be free to retire wherever they want and can get the biggest bang for their buck. Liberty is more important than where the dollars go, to me.
"If they mean to include illegal workers who stole an American's Social Security number then I say hell no!!"
The GAO calls the illegals "unarthorized" workers. Yes,l they are covered under this agreement.
Try this government site second paragraph:
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d03993.pdf
How could an illegal get Social Security credits, legally? Only a liberal would try that one.
No, I have never been a Democrat. I can clarify what I said by saying; "Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see." Or, to repeat what Ex-Mayor Koch said, "If you believe 60% of what I say, then vote for me. If you believe 100% then go see a Psychiatrist!
How about Islamofacism for one?
"Collecting SS checks, American's won't collect."
I would like to repeat your post!
THANK YOU GEORGE BUSH!
Don't worry. We can afford this welfare mayment to illegal immigrants. There is another secret plan in the works to raise social security taxes by over a trillion dolars. Congress will craft and Bush will sign this tax increase within the next 18 months.
As I said, I strongly disagree with giving Social Security benefits to illegals who used stolen Social Security numbers.
lol, I like that. :-)
Totalization Agreement with Mexico is a Bad Deal for the United States
Fourth District Report -- October 3, 2006
By Congressman Geoff Davis
Before Congress adjourned last week, we took important action to stop the flow of illegal immigration into our nation. With the passing of the Secure Fence Act, Congress authorized the construction of a 700-mile fence along our southwest border. This legislation is now ready for the President’s signature. I am proud of this legislation and believe it is a first step to combating our nation’s illegal immigration problem.
Another, often overlooked, issue that could have a dramatic impact on our nation’s fiscal health is a preliminary totalization agreement between the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) and Mexico that was signed in 2004. Currently, the U.S. has twenty totalization agreements with other nations. These agreements are intended to coordinate benefits for workers and to prevent double taxation for those who work abroad during their careers.
SSA estimates that there are 94,000 beneficiaries that receive $15 million per month under totalization agreements. Current totalization agreements result in a savings of nearly $800 million annually for U.S. companies and employees who are eligible under these agreements. Generally, totalization agreements are a good thing and are meant to protect American employees working abroad from double taxation.
However, the recent U.S.-Mexico totalization agreement is troubling and at this point, Congress has not had the opportunity to review it. In a study conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in 2003, SSA estimated that under a totalization agreement with Mexico, 50,000 workers would begin receiving benefits.
GAO’s study concluded that a U.S.-Mexico totalization agreement could have significant impacts on our nation’s Social Security solvency if the SSA’s estimate of workers who would receive benefits under this agreement was off by 25% or more. It is estimated that there are currently more than 12 million illegal aliens living in our country. In 2002 alone over 166,000 Mexicans became permanent residents, giving strong support to the possible inaccuracy of SSA’s estimates. Given these numbers, I strongly believe that SSA has grossly underestimated the number of workers who would be eligible for benefits under such an agreement.
Some current immigration proposals in Congress would provide amnesty for illegal aliens in this country. I am opposed to amnesty and believe that it could present long-term problems for the social welfare programs in our nation. Undocumented workers are able to earn credit towards future benefits. Once an illegal worker becomes legal, the worker and his or her dependents would be eligible to draw Social Security benefits under a totalization agreement. I believe that’s wrong, which is why I voted to block the implementation of this agreement.
It is no secret that our nation’s current Social Security system is in need of comprehensive reform to ensure its future solvency for American workers and their families. I am opposed to the unfairly lopsided U.S.-Mexico totalization agreement on the basis that it could have dramatic and unintended consequences for legal, American retirees and their dependents. To this end, I am a co-sponsor of H. Res. 20 that expresses disapproval of a U.S.-Mexico totalization agreement.
Rewarding those who enter and work in our nation illegally with benefits is wrong. As Congress continues to debate solutions to combating our nation’s illegal immigration problem, I will continue to fight to protect the benefits of American citizens first.
http://geoffdavis.house.gov/Read.aspx?ID=395
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