USA Social Security No Payment Today

[sgtsabai]

wym, while that is now in reality true, a little bit of sarcasm there? I hope. NeverSure, I'm well aware of the penalty part. Don't care, I don't live in the states and never will. Like I said before I would have to be very sick with a very high chance of complete recovery and able to live the life I want to live to even think about returning to the states for treatment. I watched too many friends die already and I've seen that bastard in black with a scythe, he (maybe she) didn't get me then. I'd like to take that bastard with me but eventually I'll lose that battle, so be it. And no, nobody has said SS has stopped payments, sometimes they are late, mostly due to glitches somewhere in the system. What the heck am I doing up this time of night messing around with this, I've other more important 'things' to do.

[wym]

wym, while that is now in reality true, a little bit of sarcasm there? I hope.

Telling it like it is, not how it "should" be.

[Wat dee]

Anyone for whom a few days' delay of their pension is a big issue - or even a few months IMO - is really living too close to the edge to be able to afford living overseas.

No cushion for emergencies? Medical incident requiring repatriation? What's the backup plan?

I'm sorry if I came across as heartless, that was not my intent.

Just that I honestly think it's dangerous for elderly people that close to the edge to be living overseas, given the likelihood of a catastrophic health incident without proper insurance coverage.

Better I would think to be living in less comfort day to day back home but at least knowing you'll get half-decent medical care, rather than relying on the limited capacities (both technical and compassionate) here in Thailand.

Of course it's an individual's choice, I myself am ready to die in the gutter rather than spending money on expensive insurance in my old age, but I've heard from many that that's an unusual viewpoint.

Kind of sad situation. There is enough money to support Israel and fight wars but not enough to take care own citizens.

I wonder how many of these "poors" voted republicans?

You need to realize that the US government's primary role is to support the welfare of its large corporations and wealthiest citizens, the job creators.

The bottom 90% of the population are either cannon fodder, a cheap pool of (now very) available labor or dead weight holding us back from prosperity sponging off public funds.

Thinking of citizens as real human beings has no place in modern politics.

I recently read an article which claimed top 400 families own 40% of total wealth in US! Then there are Chinese... Not much left for the middle class, not to mention lower...Unfortunately Europeans are following close behind.

[Mudcrab]

Anyone for whom a few days' delay of their pension is a big issue - or even a few months IMO - is really living too close to the edge to be able to afford living overseas.

No cushion for emergencies? Medical incident requiring repatriation? What's the backup plan?

The backup plan could have been having 800,000 in the bank for living expenses within one year, instead of (or including) the income of 65,000 per month.

[JLCrab]

Buying expensive healthcare insurance for coverage in one's older years while in Thailand (as opposed to dying in the gutter) isn't much of an option when one is currently broke.

[iamariva1957]

Hay thanks for the info. Pay no attention to those on this site that think that mentioning this information is worthy of a comment about "living on the edge". Though I do not receive SS payments ... yet I had not thought that the weather issues in the States were could slow those payments down. So again, thanks for the info. I am sure it will help someone out there. Oh and the nice thing is that the weather issues back on the East Coast (US) will at some point hit the EU and then they can see how it feels.

[SailingHome]

wym, while that is now in reality true, a little bit of sarcasm there? I hope. NeverSure, I'm well aware of the penalty part. Don't care, I don't live in the states and never will. Like I said before I would have to be very sick with a very high chance of complete recovery and able to live the life I want to live to even think about returning to the states for treatment. I watched too many friends die already and I've seen that bastard in black with a scythe, he (maybe she) didn't get me then. I'd like to take that bastard with me but eventually I'll lose that battle, so be it. And no, nobody has said SS has stopped payments, sometimes they are late, mostly due to glitches somewhere in the system. What the heck am I doing up this time of night messing around with this, I've other more important 'things' to do.

Quality of life trumps quantity for me. Health is important, but how healthy is sitting around in an apartment eating top ramen because you have little money to spare each month. Especially because you need medicines that are so expensive back home but abundantly cheap here. Don't even,get me started on RENTS. :-D

[thailiketoo]

Kind of sad situation. There is enough money to support Israel and fight wars but not enough to take care own citizens.

I wonder how many of these "poors" voted republicans?

Social security has not stopped paying benefits. Stop spreading false rumors.

No one on this thread made any statement about SSA stopping payments,

Wat dee wrote, "There is enough money to support Israel and fight wars but not enough to take care own citizens." In a thread insinuating that "Social Security no payment today" A thread started by person who does not recieve social security to give some poor old guy a heart attack.

I guess we should start a chicken little forum to warn people about things that aren't happening.

[bendejo]

...

And for those who do not have a bank account the S.S. Admin will issue a Debit Card for direct deposit.

...

Interesting to learn of this. Brazil has been using this method to pay benefits and civil service salaries for well over 10 years.

[JDGRUEN]

For those smug people who apparently were spared (or are just ignorant of) the economic calamities of the first decade of the 21st. Century... I will remind you. If you wonder why many Americans find themselves in their mid 60's with very low financial reserves and you just don't 'get it'... then here goes: The 'dot com' crash of 1999-2000 hurt a lot of otherwise savvy Americans ... shaking their financial floor... then came the mild to moderate Recession of late 2000 into 2001 to add insult to injury... then came the aftermath of 9-11 2001... If you were spared financial harm in the years after 9-11 ... then consider yourself lucky... during the years 2002-2003 and beyond businesses all over America failed ... small businesses were especially hurt. Unemployment rose dramatically The IT sector of business had a big shake out. This was followed by several years of the exposing of large scale corporate corruption which shook public and investor confidence and delayed recovery for years... Then we get to 2008 and the big Real Estate crash and Banking Disasters with the asinine bailout extremes. During this time many of the most economically prudent Americans were hurt financially - with many of us seriously damaged. Almost all of these calamities were external to the individual - the vast majority beyond being an individual's control.

Some of the asinine posts on this thread show either ignorance or arrogance of the actual situation of only a few years ago.

During this last decade many people of just over age 50 who had held a Professional level job for years LOST their job and it became painfully obvious after 3 to 5 years of job searching and drastic drainage of funds that they would NEVER hold a Professional Level Job AGAIN. All because of a series of national financial calamities far beyond their control. It was 'recover from one' then get slammed by the next one.... If you were spared this experience -- then consider yourself lucky and please tone down the arrogance related to your puzzlement as to why an American would come to a cost effective place to live like Thailand and live a better life on the meager reserves they have left... It is NOT your business as to how a fellow American might take care of his health care bills here in Thailand... It is NOT your business as to how a fellow American might have his body taken care of after death... It is NOT your business to worry about how a fellow is going to manage only on Social Security payments. Do you really believe he can live a better life in the USA on the same earnings? Really? You're not paying for any of these Americans' welfare -- So get on with your fat cat carefree lives... and leave us alone. We are actually not miserable and doing pretty well managing our money - we don't ask for nor need your help...

[thehelmsman]

Anyone for whom a few days' delay of their pension is a big issue - or even a few months IMO - is really living too close to the edge to be able to afford living overseas.

No cushion for emergencies? Medical incident requiring repatriation? What's the backup plan?

While I agree a cushion is needed, many simply do not have one and living here solely on social security is easier than in the States. Unfortunately, many US citizens living on social security cannot even qualify for the minimum income needed to have a Thai retirement extension. I know several who do not even pay their medicare premiums, just to have that little extra each month. Betting on good health is a poor gamble, but some simply take the chance. I have already paid for medical bills and a funeral; neither mine. I expect I will pay for others.

Kind of sad situation. There is enough money to support Israel and fight wars but not enough to take care own citizens.

I wonder how many of these "poors" voted republicans?

Don't understand why you say "sad" Up to you if you don't want to save and work hard for your retirement. Why should I as a taxpayer have to shoulder the burden of lazy people. Standing in line at the store and see people buying top quality food with food stamps or now they have a card so its not so embarrassing for them. When I the hard worker buy cheaper foods. People so stupid and lazy they buy fast food instead of cooking at home - these are the poor people you're referring to. America is sooo close to becoming a socialist country.

It used to be the place immigrants wanted to come to - work hard and thrive. Now its because of all the free governments help they receive.

If you're lazy and feel entitled you vote Demo. If you still believe in the American Dream you vote rep.

[JDGRUEN]

...

And for those who do not have a bank account the S.S. Admin will issue a Debit Card for direct deposit.

...

Interesting to learn of this. Brazil has been using this method to pay benefits and civil service salaries for well over 10 years.

I have heard that the problem with the American S.S. Debit Card is transaction fees... I don't know the particulars, but if the S.S. Debit Card is anything like some of the prepaid Debit Cards - the fees could be high especially for international transactions. If anyone knows for what the fee structure is that information would be of benefit to the some who are following this thread.

[prvtdetdave]

Anyone for whom a few days' delay of their pension is a big issue - or even a few months IMO - is really living too close to the edge to be able to afford living overseas.

No cushion for emergencies? Medical incident requiring repatriation? What's the backup plan?

well Ritchie Rich bully for you i am very glad you do NOT have any input towards the visa regs

Be assured our friend wym is a republican (conservative) who would like nothing more that to see soc sec. go away.

You know they would like nothing more than to put the elderly in a position to work until death at minimal payrate.

[prvtdetdave]

Anyone for whom a few days' delay of their pension is a big issue - or even a few months IMO - is really living too close to the edge to be able to afford living overseas.

No cushion for emergencies? Medical incident requiring repatriation? What's the backup plan?

well Ritchie Rich bully for you i am very glad you do NOT have any input towards the visa regs

Be assured our friend wym is a republican (conservative) who would like nothing more that to see soc sec. go away.

You know they would like nothing more than to put the elderly in a position to work until death at minimal payrate.

[prvtdetdave]

Anyone for whom a few days' delay of their pension is a big issue - or even a few months IMO - is really living too close to the edge to be able to afford living overseas.

No cushion for emergencies? Medical incident requiring repatriation? What's the backup plan?

well Ritchie Rich bully for you i am very glad you do NOT have any input towards the visa regs

Be assured our friend wym is a republican (conservative) who would like nothing more that to see soc sec. go away.

You know they would like nothing more than to put the elderly in a position to work until death at minimal payrate.

[prvtdetdave]

I can't believe there are people living off their SS and nothing else.

Most people I know that old stateside don't even take it, both on principle and because it's so insignificant.

I guess if you were in that position back home you'd be eating dog food, so I can see why making do with a local-Thai lifestyle would be better.

But when the major health crises arrive, what if you're too sick to get home? Ready to die in a ditch like a dog I suppose.

Oh well as they say up to you, you make your bed, then you lie in it.

Bullocks and your full of shit. "Most people I know that old stateside don't even take it, both on principle and because it's so insignificant."

You sir are a liar. Even your Sen John Mcain collects his soc sec.

[HeijoshinCool]

Anyone for whom a few days' delay of their pension is a big issue - or even a few months IMO - is really living too close to the edge to be able to afford living overseas.

No cushion for emergencies? Medical incident requiring repatriation? What's the backup plan?

Which is absolutely none of your concern.

They were forced to pay into it for years, they deserve nothing less than to get it as promised, without being judged.

Edited March 5, 2014 by HeijoshinCool

[thailiketoo]

Anyone for whom a few days' delay of their pension is a big issue - or even a few months IMO - is really living too close to the edge to be able to afford living overseas.

No cushion for emergencies? Medical incident requiring repatriation? What's the backup plan?

While I agree a cushion is needed, many simply do not have one and living here solely on social security is easier than in the States. Unfortunately, many US citizens living on social security cannot even qualify for the minimum income needed to have a Thai retirement extension. I know several who do not even pay their medicare premiums, just to have that little extra each month. Betting on good health is a poor gamble, but some simply take the chance. I have already paid for medical bills and a funeral; neither mine. I expect I will pay for others.

Kind of sad situation. There is enough money to support Israel and fight wars but not enough to take care own citizens.

I wonder how many of these "poors" voted republicans?

Don't understand why you say "sad" Up to you if you don't want to save and work hard for your retirement. Why should I as a taxpayer have to shoulder the burden of lazy people. Standing in line at the store and see people buying top quality food with food stamps or now they have a card so its not so embarrassing for them. When I the hard worker buy cheaper foods. People so stupid and lazy they buy fast food instead of cooking at home - these are the poor people you're referring to. America is sooo close to becoming a socialist country.

It used to be the place immigrants wanted to come to - work hard and thrive. Now its because of all the free governments help they receive.

If you're lazy and feel entitled you vote Demo. If you still believe in the American Dream you vote rep.

Food stamps and social security are two different things. Social security is forced savings that is taken out of your paycheck all of your working life and given back after you retire. It is and was your own money.

[monkey4u]

I would have thought the payments were computer generated, and automatically transferred to the recipients bank account.

This is how Australia does it

So why the problem with staff not getting to work.

Unless we are talking about the linesmen who need to repair the phone lines

[thailiketoo]

I would have thought the payments were computer generated, and automatically transferred to the recipients bank account.

This is how Australia does it

So why the problem with staff not getting to work.

Unless we are talking about the linesmen who need to repair the phone lines

There never was a problem. I think the OP was just trying to scare old Americans but it has turned into a political thread now.

[watcharacters]

It used to be that all SS payments were made on the 3rd of each month. They've change that to stagger them out. Don't blame them.

Mine is direct deposited on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

They've had record snow storms across the NE of the US, and even as far a Texas. They simply can't get to work, and if they could, quite a few are without power.

I agree. If a few days or even months puts a guy in a bind, he'd be too close for comfort for me.

.

I think mine comes on the third Wednesday each month but I'm NeverSure.

I gets there when it arrives.

I don't criticize those who have not planned for emergencies but I'd hate to be concerned about any check arriving late, unless it's the "it's in the mail kind of check".

[prvtdetdave]

Anyone for whom a few days' delay of their pension is a big issue - or even a few months IMO - is really living too close to the edge to be able to afford living overseas.

No cushion for emergencies? Medical incident requiring repatriation? What's the backup plan?

I'm sorry if I came across as heartless, that was not my intent.

Just that I honestly think it's dangerous for elderly people that close to the edge to be living overseas, given the likelihood of a catastrophic health incident without proper insurance coverage.

Better I would think to be living in less comfort day to day back home but at least knowing you'll get half-decent medical care, rather than relying on the limited capacities (both technical and compassionate) here in Thailand.

Of course it's an individual's choice, I myself am ready to die in the gutter rather than spending money on expensive insurance in my old age, but I've heard from many that that's an unusual viewpoint.

Kind of sad situation. There is enough money to support Israel and fight wars but not enough to take care own citizens.

I wonder how many of these "poors" voted republicans?

You need to realize that the US government's primary role is to support the welfare of its large corporations and wealthiest citizens, the job creators.

The bottom 90% of the population are either cannon fodder, a cheap pool of (now very) available labor or dead weight holding us back from prosperity sponging off public funds.

Thinking of citizens as real human beings has no place in modern politics.

Ah making us think your a troll is not going to get you out of this one.

[JDGRUEN]

The mailing of 'paper' Social Security benefit checks was supposed to have stopped on March 1, 2013.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/09/social-security-checks-mail-march-1_n_2439300.html

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/planning-to-retire/2012/03/16/social-security-to-go-paperless-in-2013

Social Security Administration FAQ... Must I get my payments electronically ?

https://faq.ssa.gov/link/portal/34011/34019/Article/3516/Must-I-get-my-payments-electronically

So - I don't know if the SSA extended the deadline past March 1, 2013 ... if anyone has been relying on a paper check in the mail from the SSA since March 1, 2013 ... then you have been on borrowed time...

How to sign up for Direct Deposit or the SSA Debit Card...

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/deposit/howtosign.htm

(edit to add link)

Edited March 5, 2014 by JDGRUEN

[thehelmsman]

Thailiketoo -

I can see how my post can be misread. I wasn't referring to Social Security benefits, not at all. You're right, we've more than earned a right to the $$$

I was talking about all the other gov. handouts people come to expect.

[Benmart]

I can't believe there are people living off their SS and nothing else.

Most people I know that old stateside don't even take it, both on principle and because it's so insignificant.

I guess if you were in that position back home you'd be eating dog food, so I can see why making do with a local-Thai lifestyle would be better.

But when the major health crises arrive, what if you're too sick to get home? Ready to die in a ditch like a dog I suppose.

Oh well as they say up to you, you make your bed, then you lie in it.

If prefer not to judge and take a personal inventory periodically to work on self, not others.

I am not in control of others and have no idea what or why they do what they do. I have also learned its really not my business. I try to keep my house in order, help others when I can and be thankful for what I have.

Live and Let Live

[circusman]

Hey, I'm one of those that don't pay into Medicare Part B. Why should I, I can't use it or Part A and all the money I paid into Medicare since inception is for all practical purposes stolen. And yea, that extra 100+ USD comes in handy. If you can't use an 'extra' 100+ USD you have one hell of a lot more money than I.

Stolen ? Excuse me but living in the usa in your earlier life you bought into the plan. so nothing was or is stolen from you.

[thailiketoo]

Hey, I'm one of those that don't pay into Medicare Part B. Why should I, I can't use it or Part A and all the money I paid into Medicare since inception is for all practical purposes stolen. And yea, that extra 100+ USD comes in handy. If you can't use an 'extra' 100+ USD you have one hell of a lot more money than I.

Stolen ? Excuse me but living in the usa in your earlier life you bought into the plan. so nothing was or is stolen from you.

I don't think it is voluntary. Medicare tax is automatically deducted from a paycheck as I seem to remember.

So if you move out of the country they have stolen the money from you. Odd thing is, they could save money if they paid hospitals in most other countries and probably less fraud as opposed to limiting it to American hospitals.

When it comes to medicare fraud most other countries are probably more honest than the US. Not trying to argue but anyone can google.

Edited March 5, 2014 by thailiketoo

[JLCrab]

I don't see how anyone's Medicare benefits have been 'stolen' -- you forfeited them by choosing of your own free discretion to live outside the USA.

Also, the real problem with starting Medicare Part B down-the-road may not be any penalties or increased fees but that you are only guaranteed acceptance within close range of your 65th birthday; after that you are subject to medical underwriting and if in ill health may not be able to find a company to accept your application.

[thailiketoo]

I don't see how anyone's Medicare benefits have been 'stolen' -- you forfeited them by choosing of your own free discretion to live outside the USA. Also, the real problem with starting Medicare Part B down-the-road may not be any penalties or increased fees but that you are only guaranteed acceptance within close range of your 65th birthday; after that you are subject to medical underwriting and if in ill health may not be able to find a company to accept your application.

I don't feel the American government has the right to tell me where I can live. I paid for the benefits I should be able to carry them with me like Social Security. I don't think the government should be out any money but if the cost is the same or less why not?

I paid for SS and I get that in Thailand. I paid for medicare I should get that too. If I pay for something and don't get it that is stealing.

If they shipped all the single old guys to Thailand the cost saving would be enormous and everybody would be happy.

Edited March 5, 2014 by thailiketoo

[marcusd]

Anyone for whom a few days' delay of their pension is a big issue - or even a few months IMO - is really living too close to the edge to be able to afford living overseas.

No cushion for emergencies? Medical incident requiring repatriation? What's the backup plan?

primitive systems used by,your government. Why not done by a central computer? All this separate offices stuff is backwards

Marcusd. Via tapatalk