Court: Social Security can be used to pay debt

Some of the following information was pulled from MSNBC.com & Associated Press.

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Wednesday against a disabled man whose government benefits had been cut to pay off student debt from the 1980s.
- MSNBC.com

It seems that the Government is now able to seize your Social Security to pay back unpaid Student Loan Debts that are 10 years past due.

It is alarming to consider that what someone works for their entire lives to build, as a promise by the government to use when they retire and no longer have the ability to build income unless they decide to continue to work past the age of 65, can be taken from you "without exception". So where does the American dream stand? Building a retirement fund through Social Security, since it isn't an option, is the only option some people have. Those who are not able to build their 401k plan or extra retirement savings rely on their Social Security to care for them and their families. Imagine having to pay rent, food, bills, medication, emergencies and anything else that comes your way on $874 a month. That is what James Lockhart has to do. Good thing some people own homes outright and only pay taxes and not mortgage. But those who don't, and pay rent or still pay their mortgage... what do they do? You couldn't survive on that much money. If you know an elderly person with medication costs you would know that almost half of that is already gone. Another option, I guess, is living in public housing like Lockhart does. So that is how we take care of our seniors huh? Not enough money? We have public housing prepared so that you can pay us back and have nothing... then get stuck and never leave... give us mo' money, mo' money, mo' money! It seems that is the New American Dream.

Although, is it a bad idea to consider using your Social Security to pay back student loan debt? I think it would be a good option for those who are willing to use their Social Security to pay back student loan debt. If you can't use it until you retire, and have a long ways until you do, or have other retirement savings, perhaps taking a chunk out of your Social Security wouldn't be such a bad idea. Right? Why not? Let your money work for you. Its your money... isn't it?

I think it is unfair to allow the government to take it with no question or option to you. If you get a pay check, chances are they take out Social Security. Unless you are a contractor or self employed, you are being taxed some form of Social Security cost. And those who don't, won't have anything unless they prepare otherwise. So, since the average employee doesn't have the option of removal, why shouldn't they have the option of having it seized?

Imagine finding out you have no more Social Security saved because of an old school debt. Now consider your debt to be $100k and you only had $55k saved and it was all gone, but you still have debt to pay. No savings and still a very large debt. How did that help? Now imagine that this could happen to millions of people. How many of those people are close to retirement? Will they have the time and ability to rebuild their Social Security before they retire? If anyone who is currently using their Social Security, or about to start having to use it and have any type of school debt, chances are its more than 10 years old and collectable according to this ruling "Without Exceptions".

I think we should have the option, and if not chosen, it shouldn't be forced on us. Does this impact poverty in this country and is it a push to have more people in poverty? It seems like the Government thrives more when the majority is part of the poverty. Low wages decrees ones ability to properly plan for retirement or move past a low wage job. The more money you have, the more options you have when it comes to giving back to Uncle Sam. The more options you have, the less you give. The way it seems is that the more people we have in low wage positions the better off the government is. More low wages, less ability to plan and save, less options, more taxes. I seem to know a lot of people trapped in this situation. It seems to be contagious. Why? If I am wrong... show me some proof. If I am right, damn...


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"The thing about eating the Black and White cookie, Elaine, is you want to get some black and some white in each bite. Nothing mixes better than vanilla and chocolate And yet somehow racial harmony eludes us. If people would only look to the cookie all our problems would be solved." - Jerry Seinfeld, Seinfeld (The Dinner Party)

Options is the idea here...

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