[kansan]

I hope you get what you need out of the system. A lifetime of "savings" should have allowed for folks to live an adequate lifestyle in retirement. But, I don't think the system expected that retirement would last for twenty to twenty five years, as it would be if someone retired at 65 and lived to 90. That's more than half of the average American's working life. My WWII veteran grandparents are experiencing this crunch right now. After having a heart attack in 1973, my grandfather never dreamed that he would see 2003. His savings reflect that. It doesn't seem right that he should have to lose his house and go broke before receiving some help. I think it only gets worse for each subsequent generation.

[american spirit]

Yes, we're in a sad state of affairs when folks like your grandparents are punished for living a decent, healthy life while fighting for our country and raising honorable children. Contrary to what's been posted already, regardless of which generation one resides in we're all facing a future of extreme uncertainty that could become a real disaster for everyone unless our alleged leaders solve their collective problems with rectal/crainial inversion.

To illustrate how ludicrous things have become....at the very same time the fedgov is seeking to cut benefits to war veterans and other retirees there's a movement in Washington to make some Mexicans eligible to receive Social Security benefits even though they may have worked in the USA illegally and here's the real fun part...IF THEY DIDN'T ACCUMULATE ENOUGH (WORKING) QUARTERS HERE IN THE STATES THE TIME THEY SPENT WORKING IN MEXICO WOULD BE ADDED IN SO THAT THEY CAN QUALIFY!! What the hell kind of nonsense is that! My suggestion is that instead of whacking each other on this forum we should be pounding away at the CONgresscritters trying to push this idiocy through.