Social Security can’t save us from the poorhouse

Marketwatch ^ | April 4, 2014, 6:01 a.m. EDT

[wetphoenix]

Financial advisers for years have warned about a looming shortfall between what people have saved and what they’ll need to maintain their standard of living in retirement.

And, certainly, what Americans have put away for retirement is paltry. Unless we all start saving like crazy, the pundits say, we’ll have nothing to live on during our so-called golden years. Or we’ll all have to work into our eighties — if they let us.

But maybe we should look at it another way. For most Americans, Social Security will be their primary source of retirement income. Everything else — IRAs, 401(k)’s, even some old-fashioned defined-benefit pension plans — will be icing on a not-very-rich cake.

The reasons are clear. Tens of millions of Americans don’t have access to 401(k)’s or other retirement plans at work. And millions of families are barely earning enough to cover their current needs, let alone save for retirement.

Suggesting that Social Security will be Americans’ main source of retirement income may seem surprising; after all, the average monthly benefit is only $1,294, according to the Social Security Administration.

But it’s no surprise at all to Dallas Salisbury, president of the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), a Washington, D.C.-based group that publishes tons of research on the topic.

When I put the question to him in a phone interview this week, he said matter-of-factly: “That’s what all kinds of pensions have always been. The system always has been designed to supplement Social Security for individuals who have had continuous attachment to the labor force.”

[raybbr]

Don’t be snowed noobie! Go back and read the posting history of Alex W, from say 6 months back.

Six months? I went back to this post:

To: 2ndDivisionVet

I live on a beach in a fishing village. The fish no nothing about higher prices. They still fill the nets.
They are just happy that I supply ice to keep them cool.

The province I live in is also the vegetable basket for all of Cebu. The farmers could not care less about whats going on in the west and higher prices.
I am surrounded by pigs and chickens. They have no idea about their own value, or what they would be worth in the USSA.

Life is good :)

13 posted on Sunday, February 6, 2011 4:57:32 AM by AlexW

---

Whereas I replied:

To: AlexW

Another post about us poor idiots who stayed behind in the U.S.

18 posted on 02/06/2011 3:41:23 AM PST by raybbr (Someone who invades another country is NOT an immigrant - illegal or otherwise.)

---

I could go back further but this worthless excuse for a FReeper has a LONG history of this.

Happy member of the "dawg pound".

[raybbr]

Another post about us poor idiots who stayed behind in the U.S.

[wku man]

My canine colleagues have already done a good job of filling you in on the cowardice and sliminess of he that calls himself "Alex", but I want to chime in myself. Rest assured, everything we say about him is well deserved, and is easy to understand with a little bit of research, if you're so interested. If you're not, accept it for what it is and move on.

I, along with my fellow dawgs, don't particularly like the fact that so many of those who fancy themselves conservatives, or American patriots are taking the easy way out and running away like chickens, but we all understand it's everyone's right to be a coward if one so chooses. Alex, OTOH, actively recruits and encourages others to turn chicken a** and run away, for which he's gotten slapped down by Jim Robinson (the Boss) once before. He takes perverse pleasure in shoving our Republic's problems in our faces, while playing Monday morning quarterback from his beach chair in the Philippines.

Now, I can tolerate a coward, but one who heckles we patriots from the "safety" of his Turn World sh!thole? That's where I draw the line.

As for playing nice, well, I'm originally from the South, too. I always play nice until someone gives me a reason not to, which Alex has done repeatedly since I first became aware of his shenanigans. Southerners are nice people, but not saps. Pi** us off, and you're gonna know about it. And yes, he bald-faced lied about me (behind my back) on this very forum, which is why each and every time I post to or about him, I challenge him to produce the alleged quote. A true lying worm, he has yet to do so.

Which reminds me, Alex, you rodent...where's the quote, liar? Still too cowardly and verminous to come out and face me, I see. For the umpteenth time, I'm calling your yellow a** out, scumbag. Produce the quote. Coward.

Dawg soldiers up! Woof, woof!

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

PS...a quick note on FReep etiquette, being as you're new here. Whenever you refer to someone in one of your posts, it's common courtesy to ping that person before you post the comment. That way, whoever it is you're talking about can see what you're saying, and reply or defend his honor as necessary. It's the equivalent of not talking about someone behind their back in realtime. That's what Alex does so often, and what he did when he so blatantly lied about me. It was only because one of my fellow manger dawgs gave me the heads up that I even knew what had happened. So during your (hopefully long) tenure here at FReep, always remember to ping anyone you refer to in your postings. Welcome aboard.

[GAFreedom]

@bobby.223:

He never stops calling/bashing America as the ‘USSA’ and thinks anyone who lives in America, trying to pull together and ‘right the ship’ is dumb for doing so.

1) I think people can call the USA whatever they feel like. Free speech and all. Don't make no never mind to me.
2) Depending on what scheme is meant by "pull together and right the ship", he could be right. I've encountered some dumb ideas for doing so in my time.

He acts like living on his meager SS payments, (He can’t afford to live in America on it.....his own words), in his little place in the third word is a better place to be than living in America.

That can certainly be true. I myself will be retiring in 30-40 years to either Germany or Uruguay. The idea that it's best to live in the USA even if you are living in damning poverty is a fool's choice, in my opinion. You live where the money lets you have a good life.

He claims he drinks a full bottle of red wine EACH day.

*raises a brow* There's a problem with that?

=====
@wku man:

Alex, OTOH, actively recruits and encourages others to turn chicken a** and run away,

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see a problem with encouraging people to be expatriates. Of course, I also work for an international megacorporation, so that gives me a wider view about living abroad.

I always play nice until someone gives me a reason not to, which Alex has done repeatedly since I first became aware of his shenanigans.

I am of the belief that there is never a a good Christian reason not to "play nice", so we will have to agree to disagree there. I can't go for tit-for-tat.

I also can't see getting excited about what he's saying either, but *shrug* that's just me.

PS...a quick note on FReep etiquette, being as you're new here. Whenever you refer to someone in one of your posts, it's common courtesy to ping that person before you post the comment.

Noted.

[bobby.223]

Of course you can’t live here on your meager SS check. To damn bad your abilities as a financial planner lacked so much huh coward? I’m so sorry the Dawgs don’t feel your pain being stuck in some third world dirt ball as you are because you couldn’t save a buck. About time for your Washing Machine Appliance to crawl over to you with another bottle of red wine isn’t it? (WMA: “Missta alec, Missta alec, wine now? The Coward: “No damn it!!! BEER.....NOW!!!!) Take your commie lovin’ “USSA’ crap and shove it coward. WHERE IS THAT QUOTE FROM WKUMAN GUTLESS? C’MON COWARD, POST IT! C’MON LIAR!

[bobby.223]

Your comments noted. The one thing the ‘Manger Dawgs’ WILL NOT tolerate is bashing America.....or recruiting others to take run out powders on America because it is rough right now when we need all hands on deck....or give us the condescending arrogant attitudes that we are fools for loving America and staying. Those anti-America comments will not happen without serious ‘return fire’. To many American servicemen and Women have given their lives so we can live free and we owe them big time. That is what the Dawgs feel. Anyway, maybe you will feel a bit different when you get a few years on you, retire in your 30-40, and you listen to folks slam America. Maybe not. Wkuman was blatantly lied about on this forum. So far no retraction or apology has been forthcoming from him. Is that “Free Speech”? Do you like others putting words, (lies), in your mouth? Do you think a man should refer to his wife as his ‘Washing Machine’? Nice huh? Christian beliefs are great and are to be commended but that does not mean we can’t fire back at times when we have the feeling to do so.

[NFHale]

“...As for playing nice, .. I always play nice until someone gives me a reason not to, ...”

Which was exactly my point in my earlier post.

[eartick]

First welcom to FreeRepublic.

I believe the pack has filled you in on AW and his written attacks on the USA and our great Republic that was founded on Christian priciples which we uphold. WE should not tolerate this running down and try to present solutions and if solutions cannot be found; rebuild from ground up. Not sit a 1000 miles away with our rat tail between our lil rat legs being a lil biotch.

Yes he refers to his wife as a washing machine. My wife is sitting across from me right now and if I referred to her as that she would probably pick the 45-70 up that is propped against the wall next to her and send me packing. AND I would not blame her.....

[Cementjungle]

Tens of millions of Americans don’t have access to 401(k)’s

I thought the magnificent Obama, Fixer of all Injustices, fixed that situation with his nifty new MyIRA

[wku man]

"Maybe it's just me, but I don't see a problem with encouraging people to be expatriates."

The problem is that, in this time where the Left is marching triumphantly to victory after victory, we need not only every conservative-patriotic vote on Election Day, we need every conservative a** to get off the couch, lace up the Reeboks, and grab their picket signs. We need people to swell the ranks at Tea Party rallies (if the Tea Party would ever get off its collective lazy duff and start holding rallies again), at 2nd Amendment rallies, and so on. We need conservatives to picket outside their congresscritters' local offices, and to get on buses bound for Washington DC. We need conservative voices to call their local radio stations and sound off. Most of all, we need conservatives and patriots to shoulder rifles, should that nightmare scenario come to pass. That's why I don't think much of those who run away from our Republic's problems, instead of drawing a line and staring the enemy in the face, as our forefathers did at Lexington Green.

That's not to say they shouldn't have the freedom to move wherever they want...I'm not going to stand in their way if they want to be cowards, and I don't think any of my fellow dawgs would, either. Besides...WTSHTF, cowards will only get in the way.

"I am of the belief that there is never a a good Christian reason not to 'play nice', so we will have to agree to disagree there. I can't go for tit-for-tat."

Not me. I hit back...hard. I don't think Jesus wanted us to be saps, and to let our enemies walk over us. There comes a time when you have to man up, take a few punches to the face, and give a whole lot more back. If for no other reason to protect those who can't or won't stand up for themselves.

"I also can't see getting excited about what he's saying either, but *shrug* that's just me."

Do you like people lying about you behind your back? I don't, and as I said before, I don't play well with those who don't play well with me.

BTW Alex, you lying, miserable, cowardly puke...where's the quote? Worm.

Dawg soldiers up! Woof, woof!

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[wku man]

Yep...dawgs are lovable and fun, but we have teeth, too. A dawg with no teeth isn't good for much.

Dawg Soldiers up! Woof, woof!

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[old and tired]

All they need to do is put it back to 90% and keep it there.

Then they'll need to up the maximum benefit. They won't. But then they should start calling it welfare instead of insurance, because that's exactly what it'll be.

[DuncanWaring]

I am of the belief that there is never a a good Christian reason not to "play nice", ...

Did Jesus Christ "play nice" with the money-changers in the temple?

[NFHale]

People - newbies - jump in with no idea of the genesis of this.

Teeth are a good thing for Sheepdogs.

[bobby.223]

Well said ‘tick! Besides all the anti-America treasonous crap the little rat turd coward has posted, referring to his wife as a/his ‘Washing Machine’ ranks right up there as about as bad as it gets. (WM: “Mista alec, Mista alec, me washy wash for you now master?” alex: “No damn it, get me my bottle of red wine, my case of beer, cash my so meager I can’t afford to live in America SS check and THEN wash.....How many times do I have to tell you?”). Yeah, that big boomin’ 45-70 would for get some attention!!!! Of course the coward alex would faint if he even looked at one so the chance of he having one in his turd world hut is next to nothing. WHERE IS THE QUOTE LIAR? C’MON COWARD...POST IT!

[GAFreedom]

Did Jesus Christ "play nice" with the money-changers in the temple?

As I am not Him I cannot presume to speak for His actions. I only know what He has told me, as a practicing Catholic, to do. And He has told me to play nice or suffer eternal damnation.

[gleeaikin]

While in a given year one might earn a lot above even a 90% tax max, there are many who only earn that for only a few years. I’ll bet there were many who were earning from $300,000 to $600,000 before the economy went bust in 2008 who wish now that more of their income had been put into SS so they would have a better retirement.