Replies

OH, but it is. You seem to be overlooking the point that the Baby Booomers hold about 12 TRILLION in retirement assets.

As they retire, and means testing is implemented, you begin to change the nature of Medicare, from an entitlement, to a social saftey net.

That is far more conservative than leaving it alone....

OH, but it is. You seem to be overlooking the point that the Baby Booomers hold about 12 TRILLION in retirement assets. As they retire, and means testing is implemented, you begin to change the nature of Medicare, from an entitlement, to a social saftey net.

Actually, that's an outstanding point. I hadn't thought of it in those terms. Need to figure out a way to avoid sliding the "means standard" up, though.

" As they retire, and means testing is implemented, you begin to change the nature of Medicare, from an entitlement, to a social saftey net.

That is far more conservative than leaving it alone...."

So much common sense and calm discussion on this thread about an extremely complex and emotional issue.I wish Rush had not demagogued the issue,that tactic brought nothing to the table ,but,mass hysteria among some.One of the aspects that I had been thinking about,is how much money is sufficient to have saved to pay for medical needs during retirement.A friend of mine has a mother with Alzheimers, who is in a nursing home.The bill for the home is 4500/month,which the family pays out of the mother's life savings of 100,000.She did not have any private health insurance.That will be gone within 2 years and then Medicare will start kicking in,deducting their premiums from the Mom's Social Security check.Another friends grandmother lived for 10 years in a nursing home.I'm beginning to think a couple of hundred thousand, at a minimum for a couple,might be required to be medically self sufficient during the potential 30 years of retirement.And if a senior is not taking Medicare,they are going to have to pay the full freight at the doctor and hospital,not getting the discounted rates they get now.Of course, with private insurance the numbers will change,but,I am sure the premiums will be hefty.