What does it all mean? Reassurance anyone?

[Cudedog]

Well, it's over.

Or its just beginning. . .

I will retire as of December 1.

Previous Republican administrations have made it clear what they would like to do with Social Security and Medicare. The presidency and congress will now be Republican.

My current employer, county government, have made it clear what they would like to do about pensions. Not my pension specifically, but all pensions.

Without these, my future looks grim. I was counting on SS, Medicare and pension. Without these I will have no income. With no income, no medical care.

I could keep working, perhaps, but I am close to 70, about done in, and would like to live a little before the curtain comes down.

I am a glass half empty person. Would like to hear from glass half full folks.

Thanks.

Anne

[gypsyrose1126]

Anne - Wish I could give you some reassurance, however the dow dropped 700 pts. today. I have none to give, just keeping my fingers crossed that my savings will come back up, that SS will stay as it is - as I do not have a pension --

[Pooker]

I could be wrong, but I think once you have established a pension, which you say will happen in December, it can not be cancelled. I think pension funds are a type of annuity and companies can't touch them. I believe they can change the plans for the future retirees, but the current funds are protected by law and usually administered by a totally different company, like Fidelity, etc.

Pooker

[BarbaraRose]

I also have no pension to look forward to. Without SS I too, will be without any income. I know I won't be able to keep cutting hair for very long with my current joint and nerve issues. It is a scary thought...
I need to start looking at other ways to make money.

[IrishIroamed]

Based on what they tell us at my work, pensions should be safe because they are regulated by the government (Democrat or Republican). Companies can do away with them for new hires, and can stop contributing to existing pensions, but companies would then hopefully give employees the option to sign up or contribute the maximum to a 401K.

My work about 7 years ago, did all of the above. My pension is safe, and I already belonged to a 401K which they are still matching contributions, but that is what my company's decision was regarding the 401K. New staff hired after that time only have the option of 401K.

Sorry you've got this worry.

[Rufflesgurl]

The Dow was back up in just a few hours.

Linda

[MandysMom]

Stock market highest in over a month! No worries. I will say I did see in a few cases when cities declared bankruptcy some pensions were in jeopardy. Congress wants to find way forward to maintain our Social Security.
Velda

[Cudedog]

Stock market highest in over a month! No worries. I will say I did see in a few cases when cities declared bankruptcy some pensions were in jeopardy. Congress wants to find way forward to maintain our Social Security.
Velda

If I recall correctly, when Congress was controlled by the Democrats, this was a priority.

Not so much with Republicans.

The previous Republican President tried to pass legislation to fundamentally change SS, and to "privatize" it. As I recall, this president also wanted to eliminate Medicare for seniors and instead issue "vouchers".

The new incoming Republican administration will have both a Republican Senate and Republican House majority.

Not too much to stand in their way when they decide to make major changes, of any kind - including SS and Medicare.

Anne

[grammynmaggie]

I don't think you have too much to worry about any of us as far as Social Security is concerned stop and think about this for a minute if they took everybody's Social Security away from them they would have a horrible horrible situation on their hands do you know how many millions of people would be out on the street with tin cups in their hands.. unless it's a government pension I don't think you have to worry about that either my pension comes from the University of Pittsburgh medical center and I don't think I have to worry about that... it is not run by the government well that's my two cents

[havingfunnow]

I have no reassurance for you, or for myself, alas. This is a frightening time.

To make me feel worse -- this morning son #2's friend found a note on his family car: "Go back to your own country! Terrorists!" They are a perfectly nice Muslim family, educated, employed, paying taxes, doing no harm to anybody.

The last time I saw hatred running wild in the open like this was in '83, when it was directed against Asians -- and at least one innocent person was clubbed to death in the street. When those in power endorse hatred, terrible things result.

[SoCalGalcas]

I had to go to a meeting the day after the election. I wanted to prepare myself to be a positive force in the room. I took this affirmation with me and I continue to read it today with all the hateful things going on.

"I continue to learn, to be grateful, to be generous. I value HONESTY, TRUSTWORTHINESS, ACCOUNTABILITY, RESPONSIBILITY, CURIOSITY."

Lets all keep the mind open for good things to happen so we appreciate them when they do!

lyn

[MelissaD]

As one who lives in the heartland and a state that voted overwhelming for Mr. Trump maybe I can share a different perspective.

SS is not going away. Does it have issues and need to be fixed? YES. Financially it can not support itself because the funds collected over the years have gone into the general fund and not into the "social security lock box" that our representatives claim. All the money has been spent and not collecting interest waiting to pay our retirement. Since we are living longer and more people are collecting than paying into the system, it is a basic math problem that needs to be addressed. I'm very concerned about this. I'd rather someone fix the issue than blow smoke up my a$$ and tell me everything is ok. The government also spends way more money than it generates and borrows more from the Chinese than we can hope to replay. That too concerns me. http://www.usdebtclock.org/

As for all the "hate" I don't see that in the middle of the country, I see it in the "liberal bastions" of this country where fear has been ginned up. Just to the north of me are large Muslim communities and there are some smaller ones in my home town. I have no issue with them until they start telling me that I have to change how I live to accommodate their religion. Immigrants adopted American ways and strived to become part of their new country. Instead we have immigrants like the Muslims that are trying to create new "homelands" within our country and not assimilating into our society. The Spanish community is also guilty of this flying the Mexican flag over American schools in CA. In "Middle America" we watch the happenings of England and France as the Muslim communities growth to "no-go zones", wanting their own law (sharia law) within their communities and the similarities to Dearborn MI and surrounding area and we are concerned. That does not make me a racist. If you don't know what I'm talking about you need to go read the history of Muslim immigration into England and what their Imams say on the subject. They will take over by population birth rate and immigration. Once they are the majority they get to set the laws and what we want will not matter. Mr. Trump seems to see this. Mrs. Clinton and the Democrats just want more immigration.

This video explains the birth rate issues.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=muslim+imigration+and+take+over+of+a+country&view=detail&mid=5E0B4F1BC7918483BBC55E0B4F1BC7918483BBC5&FORM=VIRE

Anyways, media stirs the pot to make money. The world did not end when Mr. Obama took office and it won't end when Mr. Trump takes office. I will say that the people busting up Mr. Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was is bad taste.

I don't understand this crap. Republicans did not behave this way when Mr. Obama was elected. You can disagree with someone but burning the flag and vandalism is not peaceful protest.
http://ijr.com/wildfire/2016/11/733025-hillary-supporters-stage-massive-anti-trump-election-protests-in-cities-across-the-nation/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=partners&utm_campaign=bencarson&utm_term=prm6

The sun still rises in the East and sets in the West. I still enjoy camping and a little sip of Jack Daniels around the campfire

[Carolinagal]

Melissa I appreciated your post. also your words Lyn you've chosen to keep in mind when out and about. In my little corner of the world here I have not ran into disagreeable people allowing themselves to be filled with hate. Planning to leave in a few days for Fl. I'm so sorry to say I will for my own sake have to avoid some.

As with any new person voted into any office it's a wait and see issue. Career politicians are not my cup of tea, so I am hoping and praying for the best for our country. It's my belief that if we all keep this in mind instead of inciting anger in those we think have a different opinion then ours, will go along way in hopefully getting this country out of the hatred it's seems to have fallen into.

CArol

[JudyJB]

Three of my young grandchildren have a grandfather who is a practicing Muslim from Afghanistan and the other two have a Hispanic grandmother. My nephew was adopted and is being raised by two mothers, and my other nephew is gay. In addition, being from the Detroit area, many of my students are immigrants from the Middle East, Asia, and Eastern Europe. It really bothers me that people say things about all of these people as groups that is just not true. And it really bothers me that my multicultural and varied family and all of my immigrant and second-generation students have to be fearful. I will say no more.

[monik7]

Well said Judy. My last name is Hernández and I don't appreciate people who don't know me or my family assuming we are somehow a threat when all we do is live our lives within the law, raise our children to be good citizens, and contribute to this great country. People should remember we were all immigrants at some time in this country. Just because someone's immigrant ancestors came here a few generations ago does not make them any better than today's immigrants. Those who think immigrants are here to change our society should remember what their own immigrant ancestors did to Native Americans when they arrived in North America. Look what their ancestors did to the Native American culture and how they stole their land. Hate and discrimination are evil things!
Sandi