MUST READ -What The GOP Means By Means Testing On Social Security Or Medicare.

[TheMastersNemesis]

I worked for the state of Colorado for 24 years. I had worked for a number of years paying into Social Security. Because I get a state pension my Social Security is reduced substantially. What means testing means for individual who are not clear on what code words mean when it comes to federal or state programs here is the skinny.

The kind of means testing the GOP is talking about behind the scenes probably looks something like this. Means testing when it comes to welfare kind of programs means that ALL your assets count when they determine eligibility and amount of payment. Under a means testing program you income from all sources other than Social Security will be counted and the amount of Medicare premium will also be effected. THEY WILL USE THE SAME STANDARD METHOD FOR MEANS TESTING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY LIKE THEY DO FOR FOOD STAMPS OR WELFARE. ONLY PEOPLE BELOW A CERTAIN SET POVERTY LINE WILL QUALIFY.

So anything you own of any value stocks, bonds, 401k, state, federal, part time income, full time income, real estate, life insurance policies, personal property will count in this determination. So if you have a $500,000 401k or a company pension and own a home that will cause a major deduction in you Security and Medicare. Just like other poverty programs if you are beyond a certain income level you will get NO Medicare or Social Security even if you have paid into it for 50 years. Entitlement to a Republican is any check issued to anyone by government even if you prepaid for it. The only valid money they view as legitimate is a check paid by a business or corporation. All government checks to private citizens are taboo.

Social Security will become in income and asset based program like Medicaid. Currently under Medicaid in order to qualify you have to exhaust all your assets down to $2000 before you can get it. That means no car of any value and no house and no life insurance policies. And you cannot give any assets to family.

That is why means testing is so ONEROUS because they GOP could set the standards very low to qualify for max benefits. By the time the GOP finishes with seniors their politicians won't want to be in any dark alleys IT IS SO BAD WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. The GOP is trying to use extreme political leverage to force the Democrats to go along. AND THEY ARE PREPARED TO DESTROY THE ECONOMY AND THE COUNTRY.

NOW HEAR THIS!!!!! They will deny it but the GOP really wants to raise the qualifying age to 70. 67 or 68 is their compromise.

[1KansasDem]

1. Can you give us a link

with information on what is being talked about "behind closed doors"?

[duffyduff]

2. It's probably in response to Lindsay Graham's hogwash

"Means-testing" won't happen at all because of the near-universal support for Social Security and Medicare.

[TheMastersNemesis]

4. Means Testing Comes Up Or Lurks In The Background Every Time A GOPPER Opens Their ----

mouth. And you have to look at what is happening in a lot of GOP states. They are pushing down on everything possible when it comes down to middle class benefits or poorer class benefits. They will treat Social Security like they do Obamacare and Medicaid on a state level. They might not be able to kill a program but they sure can severely wound it.

The GOP believes it will get its way eventually on "means testing". And if you look at how they ignore elections at the state level they will ignore them nationally. They don't have to win nationally as long as they can game every state and keep power there.

[TheMastersNemesis]

3. You Won't Find An Absolute Link Because ----

1. It comes out in many code words in different places. A lot of what is said is not for public consumption.
2. I worked in employment programs for 24 years. I spent a good amount of time with eligibility systems and how they are designed and how they work. I am sure they will use the same kind of system for means testing under Social Security. My take comes from my experience and how conservatives like to slant means testing. It usually means you get screwed.

[Downwinder]

5. Additionally, you will have to go through

a demeaning qualification process while someone sits at a desk and belittles you.

[PDJane]

6. A much better idea would be to tax those who collect and can pay.

In other words, declare all income from all sources, and tax the pension away from those who don't need it. That is never proposed, and I have to wonder why?