Do you think retirement was what you pictured to be?

[Deya]

Compared to my dreams at 40, yes it is way different. Compared to the day I retired over 20 years ago, it is just what I thought it would be.

 

[papa tiger]

Yeah, pretty much, but then I didn't have high expectations.

It would seem the Last 15 years of ones working has to be about saving about 20% of your pay before taxes to a great DOW like
retirement fund in the USA. Maybe Roth or whatever but buy in a retirement type account.
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I don't think private accountants pay off unless you are one of those.

 

[DailyArtsyCrafter]

Yes. I retired early and have been drawing regular Social Security benefits for over 10 years. During those years, my total balance in regular savings and 401K accounts together has far exceeded $2000, and I make regular monthly withdrawals from my savings to supplement my Social Security check, and I've never had any issue or reduction in my Social Security benefit. I could not survive on my Social Security benefit alone.

But please note: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is different from the regular Social Security benefits I'm drawing which is standard for most retirees. I'm at a loss to understand what is happening in your case, since you indicate you opted not to sign up for SSI or SSDI.

I suspect, but don't know, that the issue may be due to what you wrote about living in HUD housing, which may have a $2000 savings limit requirement to qualify for income based rent. In my case, I just live in my own home, therefore do not have to meet any such requirement.

Thank you for sharing. I don't have SSI. I have retirement SS. In case you didn't see it added at the bottom of my multi-quote post, this is what I wrote about SSDI:

To Everyone: A couple of years ago, I was talking to a customer svc rep at SS. At the end, he offered to sign me up for SSI, to change my SS to SSDI. He said I would get $5 a month more and that it was not much but every little bit helps. He seemed to be very nervous, as if he was afraid I would say no. Well, I didn't want to keep talking to him and I didn't want to be bothered. I asked him if I could do it myself online. I think I had seen the offer when I visited MySocialSecurity online.

He said yes I could but I felt that he did not want me to do that. But throughout the conversation, I thought he sounded pressured and stressed, like he was sweating. And I thought that it was bizarre that he was telling me, in order to get me to allow him to sign me up, that $5 more a month would help me. It was like he was trying to not appear pushy but was trying to coerce me all the same.

Well, I did look online and started to apply but did not like the questions that were being asked so I aborted. I was doing some research and accidentally discovered that when a person signs up for SSI, that they give the administration the right to look into their bank accounts more than with just SS. Why didn't he tell me that, give that disclaimer so I could make an informed decision? I thought it was deceit. I was so grateful that I did not do it.

And my question is, why does it matter to them what we have in the bank? And why would they be bribing people to sign up for SSI? The way that he was behaving makes me wonder if they are receiving bonuses for everyone they coerce to sign up for SSI?

If I eat very little meat, small meals, one meal a day, rarely have to buy medicine, don't eat out, live a simple life and my savings grow to $25,000 because of that, why should it matter to the SS Admin or to anyone else? Why would any organization want to stop helping you or reduce the help if you are able to save? Especially if you are saving towards a better life?

Yes, it's better to live in your own place, even a tiny house or shed-to-home. I'm glad for you. I am working on it. It's just not easy having to first live in subsidized housing and then make the leap to your own place through saving. You could call where I live HUD Housing. It is actually private housing subsidized through HUD. I make the distinction because these types of senior affordable housing properties are better than the properties managed by local housing authorities.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

Thank you for sharing. I don't have SSI. I have retirement SS. In case you didn't see it added at the bottom of my multi-quote post, this is what I wrote about SSDI:

To Everyone: A couple of years ago, I was talking to a customer svc rep at SS. At the end, he offered to sign me up for SSI, to change my SS to SSDI. He said I would get $5 a month more and that it was not much but every little bit helps. He seemed to be very nervous, as if he was afraid I would say no. Well, I didn't want to keep talking to him and I didn't want to be bothered. I asked him if I could do it myself online. I think I had seen the offer when I visited MySocialSecurity online.

He said yes I could but I felt that he did not want me to do that. But throughout the conversation, I thought he sounded pressured and stressed, like he was sweating. And I thought that it was bizarre that he was telling me, in order to get me to allow him to sign me up, that $5 more a month would help me. It was like he was trying to not appear pushy but was trying to coerce me all the same.

Well, I did look online and started to apply but did not like the questions that were being asked so I aborted. I was doing some research and accidentally discovered that when a person signs up for SSI, that they give the administration the right to look into their bank accounts more than with just SS. Why didn't he tell me that, give that disclaimer so I could make an informed decision? I thought it was deceit. I was so grateful that I did not do it.

And my question is, why does it matter to them what we have in the bank? And why would they be bribing people to sign up for SSI? The way that he was behaving makes me wonder if they are receiving bonuses for everyone they coerce to sign up for SSI?

If I eat very little meat, small meals, one meal a day, rarely have to buy medicine, don't eat out, live a simple life and my savings grow to $25,000 because of that, why should it matter to the SS Admin or to anyone else? Why would any organization want to stop helping you or reduce the help if you are able to save? Especially if you are saving towards a better life?

Yes, it's better to live in your own place, even a tiny house or shed-to-home. I'm glad for you. I am working on it. It's just not easy having to first live in subsidized housing and then make the leap to your own place through saving. You could call where I live HUD Housing. It is actually private housing subsidized through HUD. I make the distinction because these types of senior affordable housing properties are better than the properties managed by local housing authorities.

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, Back when I answered originally, I did see what you added at the bottom of your multi-quote post about SSDI. That's why I made the comment back then: "the issue may be due to what you wrote about living in HUD housing, which may have a $2000 savings limit requirement to qualify for income based rent." - - - and you did now just write about living in Hud Housing (or "It is actually private housing subsidized through HUD."

There seems to be a lot of unfairness in qualifying, and I'm sorry for that.

Living in my own place has drawbacks too, since I'm struggling to keep a 70 year old home maintained (new water line, new plumbing line, etc.). I guess we just hope we can stay afloat in these expensive, troubled times.

 

[DailyArtsyCrafter]

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, Back when I answered originally, I did see what you added at the bottom of your multi-quote post about SSDI. That's why I made the comment back then: "the issue may be due to what you wrote about living in HUD housing, which may have a $2000 savings limit requirement to qualify for income based rent." - - - and you did now just write about living in Hud Housing (or "It is actually private housing subsidized through HUD."

There seems to be a lot of unfairness in qualifying, and I'm sorry for that.

Living in my own place has drawbacks too, since I'm struggling to keep a 70 year old home maintained (new water line, new plumbing line, etc.). I guess we just hope we can stay afloat in these expensive, troubled times.

Thanks. I'm sorry if I confused you or anyone else (@JustBonee, @C50 ). In sharing, I understand now that I'm annoyed because I don't have anyone I can live with while I save money to get my own place. And there are no programs yet to help seniors on SS own their own homes according to income. There are some programs like that for families, singles with children and working couples. I am saving but I don't like how I have to do it in order to accumulate enough to make the move away from housing assistance renting. But I will do it and I'll be so happy to share when I do.

And I say private housing subsidized by HUD , and other programs too because the housing is better. Better cared for and apartments with amenities, cottages with porches and patios, beautifully landscaped grounds, modern high-rises, etc. I always encourage seniors who need this type of housing to look for privately-owned. There are so many of them all over the US now. Most seniors don't even know and think their only choice is public housing authorities.

I know the challenges of owning your own living space too, but no matter what choice we make we have to give up something. We just have to each choose our own poison. Or joys.