I admit to not following a lot of the crap-spewing rally speeches uttered by he I will not name. But I did hear second-hand about promises to gut these social programs.
Should I worry? Was this all just blowhard baloney to get attention and clicks?
My guess is that if you are currently on these programs you are probably safe, but Congress at the urging of Trump may make changes that impact someone who isn’t currently on Medicare or Social Security. Some changes might include lower monthly payments for Social Security, and a later retirement age requirement, but this is pure speculation. So your kids and grandkids may be impacted, and I think some of that is inevitable given the funding challenges that we will be soon be facing in the US.
I don’t think these kinds of programs can be turned on a dime, even by executive order. Plus these programs are baked into US society and enjoy popular bipartisan support. I’m thinking “blowhard baloney”.
I am due to sign up for both in a few months. Maybe I should sign up for Medicare sooner?
I can’t get any
social security payments while I am working.
I had hoped I would be dead before I had to deal with all this and the current situation now has me even more anxious.
I hear you. The “not in my lifetime” stuff is a problem; I’ve lived longer than I ever thought I would.
Exactly!
Not ready for all this “old people” crap lol.
You probably cannot do so early (i.e., in most cases, unless you’re disabled, you can’t go onto Medicare before your 65th birthday), but talk to an expert.
For what it’s worth, I had this exact conversation with a friend last night. Short version: from what I can tell, the Harris campaign’s claims that Trump (and/or Project 2025) plan to gut, or even eliminate, Medicare (or Social Security) seem to be exaggerated, at best. I found this link to an article from PBS News (which, notably, is by no means a right-wing news source):
Also, regarding Social Security, from the same article:
glad you started this thread, Teela.
before the election I’d been thinking about getting SS early for various reasons. Really would be nice to know what’s going to happen next, wouldn’t it.
I am 67 and due to retire early 2025. So I was wondering if I can just sign up for Medicare before I retire even though I have insurance through work? I am clueless about this stuff. I am just now starting to look into what is available.
I am going to call my HR department and see if I can do this.
Also - I am going to buy a new laptop and tablet before the tariffs hit lol.
You should be able to, but as you’re past age 65 (the usual sign-up date), there may be some late-enrollment penalties and limitations involved, depending on the nature of your current employer-based insurance. You should definitely talk with an expert (which is not me!)
This page from the Medicare website has some details, but even I (who work in the industry) find it a bit confusing:
Suggest you call your local Social Security office, too. Those people REALLY know the system. Hardly anyone else does including your average HR department that deals with people of all ages.
I already signed up for Part A within the time period but currently have work insurance.
If you have insurance you don’t need to sign up for Medicare until you actually need it is what I understood.
I meant calling them to see if I can carry both insurances - Medicare and work insurance.
I already have a broker lined up to get a supplemental medigap plan but not sure how all that works. I will make an appointment to see him after the holidays.
There should be time before anything goes awry lol.
Okay, that, too. But do talk to the people at Social Security. They know more than anyone.
For example, I started collecting Social Security at age 65. When I went to one of the local offices to sign up, it turns out I could have started collecting at age 62 because I was a widow. How was I supposed to know that? Then I collected on my husband’s record for about 18 years, but one day I got a call out of the blue from the local SS office and the very knowledgeable guy said, “You’ve reached a point where you can increase your monthly check now by collecting on your own record instead of your husband’s.” How on earth would I have ever known that? It was only an extra $60/month, but the SS office made the effort to reach out to me. I was pretty impressed. They know shit over there.
End of soapbox.
Awesome that they reached out to you! I have been a bit impressed with our local office as well.
I am on a first name basis with my local SS office since the online log in fiasco from a few months ago.
I asked them if I could simply call them when I am ready to retire/enroll and they gave me the run down on the phone sign up process. Then go to the broker to sign up for Medicare.
Just the thoughts of doing all this give me hives.
Re Medicare, I gently encourage you to contact your local SHIBA office instead of a broker. Brokers will steer you toward plans that benefit them, not necessarily you. Every state has a non-partisan SHIBA number you can call. They will help you sort out your Medicare choices with no broker bias.
Good luck.
ETA: I was working with a broker when I was first investigating Medicare. Then I contacted my state’s SHIBA and they steered me well toward a good Supplement Part G plan. When I reached back out to the broker to see if they had anything more to offer, they told me they couldn’t get close to the monthly premium I was able to get with the advice I received from SHIBA. It has saved me thousands already.
OK but will they do the actual sign ups?
They will help you do the sign ups directly through the company with no middle man. Example: Last year, they helped me find my Part D (drug) plan. Once I knew the best plan for me, I was able to contact the company (AETNA) directly and sign up.
OK that sounds interesting!
Thank you.
I’d be happy to look up your state’s SHIBA number if you want to PM me with what state you’re in.