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
"So what are you doing about it?"
Not voting?......
Maybe he's beginning to think more like you do?.....
"So basically, Congress is going to raise taxes on everyone here so that Mexican citizens can enjoy the good life south of the border? That is just plain WRONG."
Yep, they are really cheap labor. To everyone; but the taxpayer. Oh my, what have our government and big business done to us? I have felt for sometime they have been gutting the middle class because that is the one of the main ways to destroy America as a free country. So this is one of the nails in the coffin. Maybe the final one.
SSA Commissioner Jo Anne Barnhart signed a "totalization" agreement in Mexico City with with Dr. Santiago Levy Algazi, Director General, Mexican Social Security Institute, that will remove from U.S. citizens working for U.S. companies in Mexico the burden of paying social security taxes to both countries. It was estimated that this would result in approximately 3,000 U.S. workers and their employers sharing in tax savings of $140 million over the first five years of the agreement due to the avoidance of double-taxation. It was estimated that the agreement would also result in approximately 50,000 U.S. and Mexican workers receiving benefits after the first five years of the agreement."
This is international negotiating at its worst. Even the SSA states the benefits are for 3,000 US citizens to 50,0000 Mexicans which doesn't even qualify as a microscopic fig leaf. It's a lopsided defeat of America.
Now we Know why Sociol Security is broke. Its not that the Baby Boomers are going to get their share,the Mexicans have already looted the place.
We have only our Representatives to blame.
Here is the lawsuit that had to be filed to get the information.
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:5y2lh1-LqTMJ:www.lawandfreedom.com/site/litigation/SSA%2520Complaint.pdf+Mexico+Totalization&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=17&client=firefox-a
(snips)
1. This is an action under the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), 5 U.S.C. § 552,
as amended, for injunctive and other appropriate relief, to enjoin defendant from withholding
from public disclosure certain records within its possession and control and to order defendant
to release those records that were duly requested by plaintiff and wrongfully denied by
defendant.
6. It has been reported that, during the approximate period 2002-2004, the United
States Commissioner of Social Security and the Director General of the Mexican Social
Security Institute were involved in negotiating a totalization agreement between their respective
countries (hereinafter “the U.S./Mexico Social Security Totalization Agreement” or “the
totalization agreement”), and SSA has publicly announced that such an agreement has been
signed by both nations. Plaintiff believes that defendant possesses numerous documents
relative to the totalization agreement that should be disclosed under FOIA. Defendant,
however, has frustrated plaintiff’s efforts to obtain such documents over the course of the past
three years.
Plaintiff’s Initial FOIA Request
7. By letter to defendant SSA dated August 4, 2003 (Exhibit A hereto), plaintiff
requested under FOIA the disclosure of various documents related to any agreement, or
proposed agreement, between the United States and Mexico which would provide, in any
manner whatsoever, for the payment of U.S. Social Security benefits to Mexican nationals.
Plaintiff also sought a fee waiver with respect to its FOIA request, and requested expedited
processing.
8. For a period of four months, SSA did not acknowledge receipt of plaintiff’s FOIA
request, or even seek an extension of time to reply. By letter dated December 5, 2003 (Exhibit
B hereto), SSA finally responded to plaintiff’s FOIA request, granting plaintiff’s fee waiver
request and enclosing 20 documents, consisting of 133 pages, and withholding 43 other
documents — of an unstated quantity of pages — said to include “e-mails, internal handwritten
drafts, etc.” but claimed to be exempt under the deliberative process exemption of 5 U.S.C. §
Page 4
4
552(b)(5). No draft or copy of the U.S./Mexico Totalization Agreement was provided.
You nearly quoted Nancy Pelosi word for word......
In Ponzi scheme fashion, current retirees get their payments from those currently working and paying taxes.
.........................................................
I truly believe this is the reason the goverment is so quick to allow for amnesty/guest worker program. They need the influx of cash NOW. What better way to get a huge influx if we legalize 12 million workers.
Social Security is running a surplus now.
See an earlier post. Some of our legislators have been trying to stop this.
From: Feds Hide Social Security Deal With Mexico
http://community.tri-cityherald.com/?q=node/144
Virgil Goode: "The Social Security Administration and State Department should provide TREA Senior Citizens League with the information they are requesting on behalf of seniors. I support a resolution to disapprove Totalization with Mexico if and when the President signs off on this bad deal," Goode added.
AARP spokesperson, Nancy Thompson, told NewsMax her organization "has no position" on the social security totalization treaty with Mexico. (That's because they fund Maldef, Lulac, etc.)
http://community.tri-cityherald.com/?q=node/144
I don't even believe half of what I see. Which "half" do you believe?
What IS your point? Do you approve of this agreement or are you simply saying it does not exist? Which is it?
Amazing.... work in Mexico most of your life, work part of the time in USA and draw SS from American Taxpayers.
Dane -
Love your new alias.
They need the influx of cash NOW. What better way to get a huge influx if we legalize 12 million workers.
Where are the usual suspects?
My "NEW" alias?
I didn't know myself or Dane were new....
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