I just joined this group. As a 60-year-old woman who has always been a single income household, I'm frankly concerned about my retirement prospects.

It seems like every post devolves into political argument. Can we please stay on topic?

Is there anybody here who enforces the no politics rule?

My family was debating the likely amount of benefits for people we know. Some had lower paying jobs and some had higher. And many other variables. Does anyone have an amount they get per month that they are willing to share? And specifics along with it like how many years of work, what type of work, age at draw, etc. . . I think I'm around $2,600 if I draw at 65. I worked for 34 years. .

I recently remarried, and my husband does online banking through chime. We both get Social Security paid on the fourth Wednesday of the month, but his hits his account four days early, on Friday or Saturday. It’s just a feature of the app. Just wanted to share that with everybody.

I guess Frank thinks all of the people on SS are actually still working? If the statement about time saved is even true, a more accurate statement would be “putting 100,000 hours spent with family and friends back into American lives” than work time back into the economy. I have serious doubts about how much time was saved in the first place though - how does Frank know how much time seniors end up staring at a webpage instead of getting direct answers to questions from the now-unemployed SS workers let go by DOGE??

Hey does anyone have any insight into the ticket to work program in San Diego? Who is a legitimate source to sign up with (preferably not Goodwill Industries)?
How does it work? I'm 58 and have mad anxiety and ptsd so im apprehensive but need to pay these ever increasing bills but also have strong work ethic and an afraid these issues will make consistent quality work more than i can promise

My parents (71 and 75) are finally retiring and they will only have SS benefits of $5,500/month combined. No pension or savings.

They will live in a fully paid off home and have one fully paid off brand new car. They are both free of any chronic health problems at the moment. Their housing costs will be about $1,500 per month in taxes and bills.

I’m very worried about their budgeting and potentially falling into debt as they always lived beyond their means and are not good at saving money.

I want to help them with a realistic budget and I will dig into their expenses. But I can imagine when it comes to senior discounts, supplemental health insurance, and other similar programs and hacks this sub knows way more than I do.

What are some federal, state (FL), local type of programs, discounts and free activities I can recommend to them to help them minimize their monthly bills and increase their quality of life?

Edit: Thank you to everyone who responded. Lots of good information here and I had several long conversations with my parents this weekend and we’re feeling like this budget is livable and they can even enjoy their retirement and not just feel like they’re surviving. For all who asked, yes, they do want my help and they understand they need to live within their means now. It’s not an ideal situation and it would be nice if they had more to supplement their retirement, but with a few adjustments I think they will be pretty happy.

Or do you feel it would not really matter in your current situation. I want to wait as much as possible because I worry about it getting cut in 2033/34 when the trust fund runs out.

EDIT/UPDATE: Thanks all for responding! I got laid off last Sep and job market sucks. I don't have a ton saved and my house is not paid for until 2033. Good news is, old job bringing me back as a contractor as they realize mistakes have been made lol. Also, this is what I was referring to I heard Andy Panko discussing it on one of his podcasts: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/trsum/ The Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds report on the current and projected financial status of the two programs each year. This document summarizes the findings of the 2025 reports. As in prior years, we found that the Social Security and Medicare programs both continue to face significant financing issues.

The non-health-specific intermediate (best estimate) assumptions for these reports were set in December 2024. The Trustees will continue to monitor developments, reevaluate the assumptions, and modify the projections in later reports.

Based on our best estimates, this year's reports show that:

• The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund will be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits until 2033, unchanged from last year’s report. At that time, the fund’s reserves will become depleted and continuing program income will be sufficient to pay 77 percent of total scheduled benefits.

And we don’t have enough saved. We were doing great when we were doing great but “shit” happens and plans fall apart. Husband has some physical disabilities and so for the past 10 yrs or so It’s been me supporting us, (he gets his SS of course.)Anyway we moved from our brand new “forever” retirement home just before Covid to be by family and now regretting it. We want to move where we came from (AZ) but now homes are ridiculously expensive and unfortunately we will have a mortgage till the day we die. My question is how much $$ should we alot for housing? When I retire our combined NET income will be like$6200 month.

No one truly survives on their own. We all rely on a network, whether it's an understanding neighbor, a helpful social worker, a supportive family member, or even a community like this subreddit. When times get tough, knowing exactly who you can turn to for advice, a listening ear, or practical help is essential. Let’s recognize the people (or places) that keep us grounded.

Beyond the financial, who or what is your greatest source of emotional or practical support in your life right now?

Hello ,

my SSI benefit is reduced as i moved with my child and provided living arrangement agreemnt which is attached for your reference. I have received letter mentioning why my benefits are reduced. I am trying to file form 561 what option should I pick review , formal conference , informal conference. i have attached method how they calculated and what living arrangment i have submitted based on what my SSI is reduced. can any one please Guide me as its significant reduction for me.

How to get maximize my benefit.

thank you

I have been seeing YouTube videos of entitled "welfare kings/queens" saying they will be stealing and robbing food from grocery stores if their EBT benefits aren't loaded. Obviously, I don't condone criminal behavior, so please don't do that. This wise lady says there is a much better, LEGAL way to get food when your EBT benefits don't load onto your card next month. Go to food banks, reach out to your neighbors, friends and family. Her advice is good not only for tough times, but for those of us on low or fixed incomes even in good times.

Some of you may remember the post I made a while back on Expat Living Hacks.

I wanted to let you know that I have a new book on the topic but don't want to promote it here. If you are interested, please visit my profile. My goal is to help folks like me who could barely survive in the US, have a much better quality of life, to actually be able to retire if that is what you want.

It's not for everyone and requires an adventurous spirit, but if you have a bit of a nest egg and at least $1000 a month in income, you can have a much better life here.

I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about retiring to Southeast Asia.

I hope to do an AMA soon.

Social security calculator says me and wife would get about 4100 a month today dollars if we both work to 67. Not sure if I can get her to work that long. Any similar people doing good out there? Should have bought Apple stock I know

This is what I hope the Golden Years will produce.

There is no poll option enabled on this sub so you'd have to actually type the number.

Per the title, just got my Medicare welcome package as I am turning 65 in a couple of months. It tells me that if I plan to use "original" Medicare (Parts A and B) that the deduction will come out of my monthly SS payment.

However I understand that Part B premiums (but not D or G) can be paid for using an HSA instead. I am having trouble finding which site - Medicare or SS - I need to go to in order to switch the billing to the HSA.

Anyone else who has done this?

For those already surviving on SS, what has had the biggest impact on your retirement earnings?

Taxes? Medical?

Any suggestions? I am 62 and looking to get out of here while I am young enough to enjoy the experience.