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
Exactly ! and it good for the economy too.(?)
What part of "PRNewswire-USNewswire" and "SOURCE TREA Senior Citizens League" (both included in the original post) was not "honest" or "hidden"?
Try debating/refuting the press release and quit trying to smear posters with baseless allegations.
You're not. Misinformation agents have been around since man first drew breath.
Now answer the question, do you like this Totalization agreement and WHY?
Now was that really necessary? You advocate third party, I call you on it.
Oh, the shame!!! Penny, you're in good company, the founding fathers didn't want us to be under 2 party, or ANY party rule.
Now, Pshyco, what do you think of this Totalization agreement? None of us care what you think of us.
Well, they wouldn't get it legally. Remember the raid at the Swift meat packing plant a couple of weeks ago? Hundreds of those illegals detained were using assumed ID's, including assumed real Social (in)Security numbers. It wouldn't be that hard to do given the level of bureaucracy that exists. Identity theft is rampant.
This is a self serving press release from a group that has been investigated by Congress for scams on slave reparations.
The source acts like this is some new revelation but there is nothing new here.
The key word is in the second paragraph, "could".
Lets see some data.
I'm sure some other welfare program will be provided for you.
I'm ignoring you...
throw iran in with that. I know some Iranians who are collecting their benes, from their work history in Iran. Never worked a day in the U.S.
You two are the most dishonest people I've ever seen on a forum.
All the information, from the SSA and a bunch of congress people, the congressional record is all in this thread. Am I dealing with the reading impaired here?
Go stick your heads back in the sand, we realize you care nothing about this except to defend the perpertrators of this fraud.
Yes it is. He is the Commander-in-Chief and has the hammer. He could squelch this agreement in a minute, but won't, because he is subordinate to his superiors at the Council on Foreign Relations, the Federal Reserve and other New World Order shills.
Do you think all those painters, landscapers, day laborers, housekeepers, babysitters are paying taxes? Here in Georgia, the illegals go from house to house looking for work. They will redo your roof for you in a day. Are they licensed or insured? Heck no, you go buy the materials and then they show up do the job for cash. They undercut the legitimate guys by a couple of thousand dollars. My husband works in the construction business, day laborers are the equivilant to the temp workers that corporate uses.
How could an illegal get Social Security credits, legally? Only a liberal would try that one.Well, they wouldn't get it legally. Remember the raid at the Swift meat packing plant a couple of weeks ago? Hundreds of those illegals detained were using assumed ID's, including assumed real Social (in)Security numbers. It wouldn't be that hard to do given the level of bureaucracy that exists. Identity theft is rampant.
I'm fairly certain I read somewhere that the way they intend for it to work is that the illegals, once ensconced in their Mexican "retirement" locale, will simply "declare" (to the US government) the amount of money they earned, and the number of years that they worked. They would then be "awarded" Social Security benefits based on that declaration.
Of course, they'd need to swear under oath that the information they provided was accurate, so at least we'd be protected from fraud, right? LOL!
Hey, buck up. It's not like the illegal aliens have THAT many more rights than American citizens...
Wrong. See Urban Legends and Folklore:
While there is no "TREA Senior Systems League," there is a "TREA Senior Citizens League," which did not create or authorize this message. Noting that the name of the organization is being used under false pretenses, a spokesman called the message "a nuisance chain letter that is playing on the hopes of our senior citizens." The League has received over 10,000 inquiries from victims so far this year.
"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."
I don't see how that can be Constitutional.
Do you think all those painters, landscapers, day laborers, housekeepers, babysitters are paying taxes?
"I think Americans should be free to retire wherever they want and can get the biggest bang for their buck. "
This law doesn't apply to American citizens. Its directed towards citizens from other countries who work in the US for a short period of time.
TREA was also involved in the notch baby scam.
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