A question for American Citizens
By rebelann1949
@rebelann (117223)
El Paso, Texas
September 27, 2019 9:42am CST
I just read something that made me wonder about just what happens to money withheld for Social Security. This came up on facebook and it made me realize that if a person dies before they reach retirement age then all that money that was withheld goes where exactly??? 
If you were to calculate how much was withheld over the years, how much would that be?
Maybe we're like ostriches, we hide our heads in the sand or whatever.
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There used to be an ostrich farm on the New Mexico/Texas border near La Union New Mexico. When I got out of my car this fella came running to the fence either to greet me or warn me, I haven't a clue which. These kritters are huge.
If you were to calculate how much was withheld over the years, how much would that be?
Maybe we're like ostriches, we hide our heads in the sand or whatever.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There used to be an ostrich farm on the New Mexico/Texas border near La Union New Mexico. When I got out of my car this fella came running to the fence either to greet me or warn me, I haven't a clue which. These kritters are huge.9 people like this
7 responses
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
27 Sep 19
Well, each situation is different but it's possible that your spouse or dependent children may be eligible for survivors benefits. There are a ton of catches to getting this money for example first off you have had to have retired or they don't get the money. The person getting the money has to be at retirement age or they will not get the full amount. if someone does qualify for the money they will get a monthly pay out they do not get a lump some pay out.
Think more like this is something you pay into so you can get a payment later in life, it is not a savings account where you will get "your" money back.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Sep 19
I assume the money stays with the government. I won't say the SS Ponzi Scheme pot because we know the government steals....I mean borrows money from such funds. Notice how the government pushes hard for you to not file until 66 rather than at 62? That's so they get extra time for you to die and they get to keep the money essentially stolen from our paychecks. We receive the same money allotment regardless of filing at 62 or 66. Only the monthly amounts differ.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117223)
• El Paso, Texas
27 Sep 19
Damn, when did this happen @JohnRoberts ?
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117223)
• El Paso, Texas
27 Sep 19
That has changed, I retired at the end of Jan 2010, I was 60 and had to wait until I was 63 to apply for SS. Once that was in place they paid every 2nd wednesday of the month until I reached the age of 65.
Luckily I had a small pension to live on until I reached that age, needless to say I used all of it to survive.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Sep 19
@rebelann One can apply at 62 now.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
27 Sep 19
I expect it just goes back into the revenue pot
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117223)
• El Paso, Texas
27 Sep 19
I get the feeling if I were to ask they would want to know what business it is of mine @arthurchappell
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
27 Sep 19
@rebelann yes they should be able to tell you ideally
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
29 Sep 19
I think our money that we pay in, if we die before we get it, goes to supporting illegals. Just a wild guess.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117223)
• El Paso, Texas
2 Oct 19
Maybe so but what you suggested could be what happens @TiarasOceanView
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
1 Oct 19
@rebelann That was a bit of snark Rebel.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117223)
• El Paso, Texas
28 Sep 19
I don't know either. It seems to me that the SS agents should make clear just what will happen should not have a spouse or kids and you die before retirement. I'd think we should have the right to bequeath what in there to a family member like a sibling or cousin or a charity.
1 person likes this
@psanasangma (7910)
• India
28 Sep 19
Therefore giving nominee is very important so that money can help to close one..
If then, it may surely be back to government..
1 person likes this
