Social Security, Medicare & Grey (Gray) Hair

   Today has been a very frustrating day! It started off well but got progressively worse, only because I have been frustrated with Social Security since I turned 62. On the 28th of this month I will turn 65 and for a birthday present I got a nice bill from Medicare for $400.00 to be paid by the 25th.

   You see, according to the United States Government I am WAY too wealthy to receive full social security. Though most people are able to draw at age 65 for me it's age 66. And, since I make too much money I get penalized, so in reality I only receive Social Security deposits for about half of the year! I have to go through this for yet another year.

   Now, my frustration comes from the fact that until I reach that age of 66 I can only make a limited income. And, since Medicare Ins.began for me this month, and since I'm not receiving Social Security for X number of months I got this bill today that says I have to pay Medicare in advance or be penalized. Now, most of my life I have not been nearly as wealthy as the United States Government thinks I am so I never could afford health insurance. So, I'm thinking, o.k., they tell me that I'm getting Medicare because I'm turning 65 and that it will come out of my monthly deposit, even gave me a slight raise in Social Security benefits, which, by the way, get eaten up by the Medicare payment! So I start getting mail telling me that every thing is set and all I have to do is mail a card back in if I don't want it. So, why wouldn't I want it? What they didn't tell me is that because my deposits are being withheld for nearly half a year, I have to pay the Medicare Ins. in advance.

   So I asked, "Well, if I don't make the payment what happens?" , to which the lady replied, "You won't receive the benefit, plus you'll be penalized". So now I start thinking, "Wait a minute here!". The United States Government TOLD me that I would start receiving these benefits. I DID NOT  seek them; then they tell me that if I don't pay up I will be PENALIZED? What's with that?

   Now let me tell you what really ticks me off! I sat in the Social Security Office for well over an hour today. When I first went it there were about 10 people, two of which were ladies with grey hair and a man with grey hair. Only one of the ladies had an appointment and the gentleman was with a younger fellow who had the appointment. There were people who came and went; I probably saw about 25 people all in all and of those 25 who either had been to a window or were waiting to go to the window, counting myself, only three had grey hair and were of an age to draw social security. There were several young people and a few middle aged people but only three of us who I thought would be of an age to have earned Social Security. Do you get the picture? Something is wrong!

   I'm not judging anyone and I'm not even complaining about their need, I'm just saying that all of my life I have paid into Social Security but if I make a little too much Social Security fines me half of what I make. Others, who could not possibly have paid into Social Security were there either for Social Security or Medicare and that simply blows my mind! You see, if you make over $14,600.00 you are independently wealthy and the United States Government, through Social Security will penalize you $1 of every $2 you make, while others, are reaping the benefits of those who have paid the price!

  THERE! I GOT THAT OFF MY CHEST!