AARP needs to be stronger when writing about future of Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and ACA

[john14]

Browsing thru AARP articles it seems that AARP is trying walk a fine line and not fully informing its readership about the true cost Trump's presidency will affect these three issues. I am upset that AARP does not take a stronger stance in informing it's members.

Trump states that he will not touch (directly) these three things. But the tax cuts he is proposing for the rich and big business will for sure affect the funding of Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare. Originally with current funding Social Security will have to make an approximate 25% cut across the board for all recipients. With the proposed Trump tax cuts, this will potentially result in a 33% cut and moves up the date to 2031. Trumps tax cuts sound great (for the rich), but it affects funding for all three of these services. I believe Medicare will be having funding issues even earlier.

I know that Trump promised he would not touch these service, but for all of you who voted for him based on this promise you really need to get a grasp of how other things he proposes will have the same effect.

On a side note, many people also voted for Trump because he said he want's to get rid of "Obamacare". Many people voted for him on this issue. Then they realize that he plans on getting rid of the Affordable Care Act. People are saying no, we only want to get rid of Obamacare. Now that it's too late they are beginning to realize they are one and the same.

I believe that AARP should do an east to find article with big headlines to inform people of these issues. So far every article I've seen always skirts around them. If AARP has done an article(s) reflecting this then I apologize that I may have missed it. Either way, I needed to get this off my chest. Everyone needs to get a grip on this and come next election be aware and knowledgeable of what you are voting for.

If this is the incorrect forum for this topic I apologize. I was just not sure where else to inform AARP.

[mb92731211]

I also find it troubling that AARP panders rather than dictates. Sadly, this dereliction in the face of threats and bluster is pervasive. 

It's looking like the smart money is on the ACLU these days.

And to all of you who served in WWII, thank you for giving us the 20th century of relative peace prosperity and widespread democracy. Hopefully you are spared the need to witness its full decline.

[KatA678226]

 I think you are right on the mark, John.  Trump's proposals will not only jeopardize Social Security that millions of retirees desperately count on, but food is going to cost more not less if he passes the tariff against Mexico which exports a lot of the fresh fruits and vegetables to our grocery stores.  If he rounds up illegal Mexican farmworkers, it will hurt our country's farms.  What citizen of our country will choose to do the hard work of picking fruits and vegetables?  Trumps proposals will hurt our economy not improve.  I do not understand why AARP doesn't look into all of his proposals now that he is about to be our president for four more years. And, who is to say that he will not find a way to stay in power after 2029.  Come on AARP, show us some backbone.

[john14]

OMG Thank You. Based on other responses I thought I was the only one here who felt this way. He is announcing his intentions which may or may not happen, but my whole reasoning for writing was because AARP should be (and should have been) more open regarding some of these issues.

[GailL1]

@KatA678226 

Are you talking about the removal of the tax on Social Security benefits which Trump has promised to repeal?  BAD MOVE because in 2023, these tax on benefits added 51 BILLION to the Social Security Trust Fund.  Insolvency deadline would get moved up.

Then there is the repeal of the WEP and GPO that was just enacted - per the CBO, this is gonna cost the Social Security system 200 BILLION over (10) years and I don’t think they are including a good many GPO beneficiaries that have never filed and thus they do not yet know about them.  Again, creating a shortage in the Trust Fund - so insolvency could be even closer.

Illegal farm workers or illegal workers in other industries are working as slave labor and that should not be allowed - we have a guest worker program that protect them and American workers who might want the jobs.  

The Guest worker program - agriculture - makes employers put in for the number they need and certify that they have searched for American workers to fill the slot and can find none.  Once the slots are filled for these guest workers, the employer has lots of responsibility for them like (1) housing (2) transportation (3) medical care - you really think that these Ag businesses are doing all this now for their illegal workers.  Yes, your cost may go up for your farm goods but that’s called paying them their just dues and doing it legally.

We need to control immigration - we already have some ways to do it - but we have to start with ridding the country of many of the illegals now in the country and making employers follow the rules of guest workers.  We also need E-Verify initiated in every state and for all employers to follow. 

I am not really a Trump supporter but am a supporter of what is right.  

[roachme]

Along with the $51 Billion, the income tax on 2023 SS benefits also put an additional $35 Billion into the Medicare Trust Fund too.  The income taxes collected on the 0-50% taxable SS go to the SS Trust Fund and the taxes collected on the 50%-85% of taxable SS benefits go to the Medicare Trust.

[GAKKIEZ]

  It's funny to hear all the commentary about President-elect Trump, his cabinet nominations and Republican control of the House and Senate.  There appears to be too much predicted negativity rather than optimism that everyone can/will work together and bring solvency to programs that have been ignored by all Democrats and Republican for many years.  We sure know the Biden administration did nothing and the Harris candidacy provided no clear resolution.

  Too many Americans feel they are owed and should be taken care of by government from cradle to grave. Asking for more and more and yet have done little to nothing to take care of themselves. Americans have been provided information for many years and yet so many took early retirement, stopped paying into the programs or even took employment payments "under the table" (to avoid taxation or loss of welfare benefits).  There have even been fights in Congress when audits of the programs are proposed.  Too many Americans have brought this on ourselves rather than taking personal action and now just want others that made sacrifices, saved and planned for retirement to pay for the lazy!  Think about it - Did you take home equity loan to pay for a new car, vacation? I know some were encouraged to do that.  Were you lax in not accepting extra work hours/overtime/2nd job when offered?    Never/Rarely Volunteered for a non-profit?  Took advantage and envisioned ENTITLEMENT?

[john14]

So after working 50 years of my life, being honest and never grifting, and now at over 66 years old you are recommending I keep working and not have the ability to retire due to cuts or elimination of what you call entitlements.

I know people that have worked all their life, unfortunately many in low paying jobs. Have been honest and have had the decency to not accept handouts, but have had the poor misfortune to be stuck in low paying jobs for most of their lives. So some are getting only about $800 from SS and will continue to have to work till the day they die. I'm sure that a 33% cut in benefits on that $800 will be so beneficial to them.

Oh yeah, during his first term he didn't want to help California with the major forest fires because the state did not vote for him. Yeah that's unity. And the love he showed Springfield, Ohio about eating dogs. Yeah that's the love and unity we all need.

[GailL1]

@john14 

Social Security was never meant to be ALL of ones retirement - it was part of a total package.  Today, there would be personal savings, Individual Retirement Account of which there are many types.  Then there would also be investments or other resources that can add to ones’ monthly income after retiring from a W2 job or self employment.  

What people get back from the Social Security program is in direct proportion to what they put into it - with those being what would be labeled as low income getting more replaced because of the progressive nature of the benefits formula.

For those blind, elderly or disabled if their benefit is lower than $963 per month, they should also apply for Supplemental Security Income and if they are eligible, that welfare program will add to their monthly benefit.  Then of course, they would also have a chance because of their low income to apply for more government help programs and each one of these add value to their money cost. 

[RiverBoatAndrew]

And FEMA, under the Biden/Harris administration refused to help hurricane victims with Trump signs on their properties... Yeah, that's unity, isn't it!

Then we have Biden calling Trump supporters (more than half of America according to the election results) "garbage", yeah, that's unity, isn't it!

I think we have a problem on both sides of the fence here in America, thanks to the toxic political environment that we've been exposed to over the past several decades... And your post isn't helping the situation.

Maybe we should all come to the realization of the fact that we're all Americans and America is the best country in the world!

Maybe we should all start working together, especially in Washington, at making America a better place, rather than constantly trying to divide it!

Maybe we need to experience WWIII in order to begin to realize what it means to be fellow Americans! God forbid!

Biden/Harris had their chance... Let's give Trump/Vance a chance before we lynch them!

[john14]

I agree with this reply more than the previous one. I do agree we should work together and as a people we have more in common then it sometimes seems. And the rhetoric on both sides leaves us leery of each others political party. Whereas you have your concerns regarding Harris, I also have mine regarding Trump. I am 66 and the fate of SS scares the hell out of me. I just retired and I prefer to stay that way. So for the rest of it we can agree to disagree and see what happens.

Have a good day!!

[SG8811]

  Here's a wakeup call for you all:

Trump picks celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz to serve as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Med...

Another entitlement is about to be dismantled.  When these programs no longer work for most people, it will be easier to do away with and replace them with something with far less impact on the US budget.  Oz is an awful choice to head critical programs that will impact everyone but the super-rich

[RiverBoatAndrew]

News flash... If Harris were to be elected, she would have bankrupted Medicare and Social Security very quickly by handing these benefits to the 10+ Million illegals who have crossed the southern border into the United States during her time in the White House. I would rather trust in the Trump administration with Dr. Oz or anyone else in charge than the idiocy of the Biden/Harris administration. More than half of America has voted for Trump and his plans to rescue America from the Biden/Harris death spiral... And that includes HIS CHOICES for HIS cabinet positions. You're entitled to your opinion, but the MAJORITY of America disagrees with you. Have a nice day!

[SG8811]

We'll see - but so far, Trump pulled us out of the WHO and has silenced the entire US Medical research / monitoring system (like NIH, CDC, FDA - etc) from any research or public facing comments and programs. (Including the massive bird flu epidemic sweeping the nations poultry and cattle farms whos byproducts are slipping into some percentage of eggs and raw milk.) The RFK lunatic is on the verge of becoming the top Administrator.  Yeah - this is going to be great.  

The ACTUAL count of Americans who voted for Trump is 49.8% vs Harris 47.2%.  Not 

more than half' the country.   And not what used to be called a 'mandate'.