US Social Security

[stevenl]

36 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

You believe anonymous sources saying Trump said?   OMLG!

Sad state of affairs is that the anonymous sources sre more likely correct.

[frank83628]

23 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Sad state of affairs is that the anonymous sources sre more likely correct.

If they are correct why not put their name to the claim.... anonymous = fictional

[bunnydrops]

I don't see it being closed down, but I could see a change where you need to be in the US to receive it. It is not very "America First" to spend it in another country. Not many would stand up for us Americans who don't want to live there.

[Jingthing]

8 minutes ago, bunnydrops said:

I don't see it being closed down, but I could see a change where you need to be in the US to receive it. It is not very "America First" to spend it in another country. Not many would stand up for us Americans who don't want to live there.

Not that the magas are logical or anything like that but forcing expats on SS home would be really stupid from a fiscal POV, assuming Medicare will still be around. Medicaid on the other hand they're viciously trashing for all. 

[JAG]

11 hours ago, Mike_Hunt said:

You don't know what you are talking about.   SS can only be eliminated by an act of Congress. 

A bit like the Department of Education or USAID then?

[placeholder]

2 hours ago, jas007 said:

Reciprocal.  Tariff on shoes?  Ditto for the USA. Tariff on audio speakers, ditto. Tit for tat.  Don't muddy the water with nonsense. 

Do you understand that tariffs between the US and Canada are very low? In fact for a huge variety of stuff they're non-existent. What kind of lunacy is it that imposes taxes on automobiles whose parts can cross the border several times while they are being built. And what does a 25% tax on steel and aluminum have to do with reciprocity?

[frank83628]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Not that the magas are logical or anything like that but forcing expats on SS home would be really stupid from a fiscal POV, assuming Medicare will still be around. Medicaid on the other hand they're viciously trashing for all. 

Hasnt Trump stopped tax on SS payments or how ever it works?

[placeholder]

1 hour ago, bunnydrops said:

I don't see it being closed down, but I could see a change where you need to be in the US to receive it. It is not very "America First" to spend it in another country. Not many would stand up for us Americans who don't want to live there.

Did you stop to think that maybe the reason that many of them are expats is that they can't afford to live in the United States?

[stevenl]

16 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Did you stop to think that maybe the reason that many of them are expats is that they can't afford to live in the United States?

And would that be of concern to trump or musk?

[jas007]

29 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Do you understand that tariffs between the US and Canada are very low? In fact for a huge variety of stuff they're non-existent. What kind of lunacy is it that imposes taxes on automobiles whose parts can cross the border several times while they are being built. And what does a 25% tax on steel and aluminum have to do with reciprocity?

You can try to deflect the issue all night.  Reciprocal  tariffs, or not?  And if you don't understand the word reciprocal, go look it up. I'll wait. 

[placeholder]

2 minutes ago, jas007 said:

You can try to deflect the issue all night.  Reciprocal  tariffs, or not?  And if you don't understand the word reciprocal, go look it up. I'll wait. 

Is this your idea of reciprocal?

US President Donald Trump said yesterday that his forthcoming tariffs on EU goods will be "reciprocal," but raised more questions by pointing to EU charges that aren't tariffs. 

"Whatever they charge us, we're going to charge them," Trump said at a press conference in Washington yesterday. But the EU charges Trump called "tariffs" were value-added tax (VAT), which also applies to European goods, and fines levied against Apple.

Trump was responding to a question about remarks he made on Wednesday, when he said "the European Union was formed to screw the United States" and signalled his intention to announce a 25% tariff on European goods, particularly cars.

https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/trumps-reciprocal-tariffs-on-eu-goods-raise-more-questions/

[placeholder]

9 minutes ago, jas007 said:

You can try to deflect the issue all night.  Reciprocal  tariffs, or not?  And if you don't understand the word reciprocal, go look it up. I'll wait. 

Given that most tariffs are very genuine reciprocity would make very little difference. So sure, go ahead and impose them. Now how about you? Do you think it's OK for Trump to impose punitive tariffs that far ouweigh the tariffs being charged by the targeted country.

[gamb00ler]

7 hours ago, Stiddle Mump said:

It all sounds so complicated. The lads and lasses in charge want it to seem that way.

 

In reality; running a country is little different to running a small farm.

Now, I understand why you want to drink pee.  It's all part of the package upstairs.

[mogandave]

21 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Given that most tariffs are very genuine reciprocity would make very little difference. So sure, go ahead and impose them. Now how about you? Do you think it's OK for Trump to impose punitive tariffs that far ouweigh the tariffs being charged by the targeted country.

Tariffs are a tax. I thought yiu supported higher taxes? 

 

With higher tariffs, all the greedy rich will have to pay more every time they buy something.

[placeholder]

1 minute ago, mogandave said:

Tariffs are a tax. I thought yiu supported higher taxes? 

 

With higher tariffs, all the greedy rich will have to pay more every time they buy something.

Like sales taxes, tariffs are a consumption tax. The lower one's income the greater the burden of consumption taxes since lower earners need to spend a greater percentage of their income just to survive. Tariffs will also cause a bump in inflation. That's bad enough, but it also means the American businesses, because they are protected, won't need to try to compete as much. This is what happened to the American auto industry. Pickup trucks were protected by a 25% tax , so auto companies concentrated their investment there and allocated less resources to trying to compete on autos. Tariffs may work in the short run to protect a promising infant industry, but the kind of massive tariffs Trump seems to be proposing will ultimate damage the American economy.

[mogandave]

Just now, placeholder said:

Like sales taxes, tariffs are a consumption tax. The lower one's income the greater the burden of consumption taxes since lower earners need to spend a greater percentage of their income just to survive. Tariffs will also cause a bump in inflation. That's bad enough, but it also means the American businesses, because they are protected, won't need to try to compete as much. This is what happened to the American auto industry. Pickup trucks were protected by a 25% tax , so auto companies concentrated their investment there and allocated less resources to trying to compete on autos. Tariffs may work in the short run to protect a promising infant industry, but the kind of massive tariffs Trump seems to be proposing will ultimate damage the American economy.

So tariffs are a tax in the same way as corporate income taxes. They drive up prices and disproportionately hurt the poor. 

 

The poor aren’t spending much of their money on imported cr*p. Most of it goes to housing, energy and food. I surprised you didn’t know that. 

[Screaming]

On 3/22/2025 at 8:21 AM, pchansmorn said:

Are any American Expats worried Trump will stop there retirement income?  He’s headed for that next step.  He will destroy the SS system and Americans won’t have money to live on anymore.  We have our savings but it won’t last forever.  A reverse mortgage may be in our future.

Oh my, the sky is falling, the sky is falling. It seems the far left socialists are just in a tizzy now that President Trump is trying to clean the mess that sleepy Joe left behind. I would advise you socialists to pace yourself. President Trump is just getting started with his cleaning. The Social Security System like most of the U.S. government needs a good scrubbing with bleach. DOGE has disclosed some massive waist in the SS system:

 

https://viconsortium.com/vi-federal/virgin-islands-over-3-5-million-social-security-recipients-listed-as-140--years-old--doge-investigation-finds

 

SS will be around forever financed by young taxpayers.

 

[placeholder]

23 minutes ago, mogandave said:

So tariffs are a tax in the same way as corporate income taxes. They drive up prices and disproportionately hurt the poor. 

 

The poor aren’t spending much of their money on imported cr*p. Most of it goes to housing, energy and food. I surprised you didn’t know that. 

So better to directly tax the poor? Or the middle class? Or maybe the corporation will just have to make do with less profit.

I guess they run around naked too so they don''t need clothing or footware. Or any kind of appliance to prepare their food.

Tariffs Hit Poor Americans Hardest

https://www.piie.com/blogs/trade-and-investment-policy-watch/2014/tariffs-hit-poor-americans-hardest

[markwhite]

2 hours ago, Screaming said:

DOGE has disclosed some massive waist in the SS system:

 

Are you saying they're targeting overweight people?

 

That's just not right...

[Mike_Hunt]

8 hours ago, JAG said:

A bit like the Department of Education or USAID then?

No.  USAID was created by a JFK EO.  So, an EO can destroy it.  The Dept of EDU was created by congress.  Thus,  it will take an act of congress to eliminate it.

[Mike_Hunt]

6 hours ago, placeholder said:

So better to directly tax the poor? Or the middle class? Or maybe the corporation will just have to make do with less profit.

I guess they run around naked too so they don''t need clothing or footware. Or any kind of appliance to prepare their food.

Tariffs Hit Poor Americans Hardest

https://www.piie.com/blogs/trade-and-investment-policy-watch/2014/tariffs-hit-poor-americans-hardest

The world is ending.  Poor people are hit the hardest.

[Tug]

9 hours ago, frank83628 said:

Hasnt Trump stopped tax on SS payments or how ever it works?

Lmao just because trump articulated sounds out of his mouth is meaningless it was a ploy or (lie) to garner more votes no more no less.heck trump is trying to kill social security so I guess if he manages to steal peoples pensions they can’t be taxed ehh?

[rabang]

Trump is almost 80 years old and senile. Even when he was younger he wasn't the brightest lamp shining and has the attention span of a toddler. No, he doesn't have any plan.

[Harrisfan]

8 minutes ago, rabang said:

Trump is almost 80 years old and senile. Even when he was younger he wasn't the brightest lamp shining and has the attention span of a toddler. No, he doesn't have any plan.

They should give you the job.

[JAG]

12 hours ago, placeholder said:

Is this your idea of reciprocal?

US President Donald Trump said yesterday that his forthcoming tariffs on EU goods will be "reciprocal," but raised more questions by pointing to EU charges that aren't tariffs. 

"Whatever they charge us, we're going to charge them," Trump said at a press conference in Washington yesterday. But the EU charges Trump called "tariffs" were value-added tax (VAT), which also applies to European goods, and fines levied against Apple.

Trump was responding to a question about remarks he made on Wednesday, when he said "the European Union was formed to screw the United States" and signalled his intention to announce a 25% tariff on European goods, particularly cars.

https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/trumps-reciprocal-tariffs-on-eu-goods-raise-more-questions/

What is the essential difference between VAT which is levied on many (but not all) purchases throughout Europe including imported goods, and Sales Tax which is levied on purchases in the US, including imported goods?

[OneManShow]

I guess it's about those "millions of people" who live in the US from other countries (US citizens & green card) that never worked and never paid tax in the US, but they get paid by SS for living cost in the US. Some of them living in their own countries and still getting paid since the SS is no aware of their actual living location. 
This is not about those who worked and paid tax in the US. 

[frank83628]

4 hours ago, Tug said:

Lmao just because trump articulated sounds out of his mouth is meaningless it was a ploy or (lie) to garner more votes no more no less.heck trump is trying to kill social security so I guess if he manages to steal peoples pensions they can’t be taxed ehh?

This was back in the beginning of Feb

 

[jas007]

16 hours ago, Presnock said:

Yeah I wonder at times seeing the American Citizens Abroad notes about what Congress is doing that could affect living overseas, I note many times that they just might decide that any retirement benefits must be paid only within the US and not into any foregin country.  I note that DTA's protect SS and civil service pensions but the congress is talking about stopping taxes on seniors and SS and was wondering if that would have any affect on the DTA since if one is not taxed by the US govt, then Thailand might interpret that as making it taxble in Thailand.   But not even sure any of the proposals on taxes will ever see the light of day. with our congress.

I think if you read the relevant tax treaty, you'll find that government pensions and social security benefits are taxable in the country of origin, only.  

[Presnock]

1 minute ago, jas007 said:

I think if you read the relevant tax treaty, you'll find that government pensions and social security benefits are taxable in the country of origin, only.  

Yes hat is what the DTA says so the Thai's agree that if taxed already by US law then they don't have to pay in Thailand but my questions if you read it says if no taxes are taken out by the US, then could Thailand tax it.  I am not saying they will, as a matter of fact I sent a note for those in congress talking about cutting the tax on SS seniors or SS altogether.  I asked if those writing the bill have even read the DTA agreements or will they advise ambassadors that SS still whether taxed in the US or not cannot be taxed by a foreign government.

[kimothai]

On 3/23/2025 at 7:36 AM, Yagoda said:

No worries at all.

Totally agree.  I one point I heard mention of eliminating taxes on ss.  Just have to see how that works out.  In the long run I think this may be the healthiest thing that could have ever happened to SS.  I personally don't collect SS but just about everybody I know does and none of them seem to be worried either.