# I'm on Medicare and Social Security. Are these programs now in danger? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 7, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875 "2024-11-07T17:58:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2024, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/81 "2024-11-19T22:17:42Z")
Well, I think we can all relax. Trump just tapped Dr. Oz to oversee Medicare and Medicaid. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2024, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/82 "2024-11-19T23:24:51Z")
I believe I can sign up for Medicare before the inauguration since I turn 65 in April. I need to make sure to do so at the earliest possible moment. Is that three months before my birth month (so January 1) or three months before my actual birthday? ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/83 "2024-11-20T12:33:49Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Trump just tapped Dr. Oz to oversee Medicare and Medicaid. when I saw your post last night I thought you were kidding. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/84 "2024-11-20T19:23:25Z")
FYI - the House just passed HR 82, eliminating the windfall elimination provision and government pension offset. No word on whether Schumer will allow the Senate to act on it. But seems an indication that the Repubs currently in the House aren’t determined to greatly restrict SSA bens. (Not trying to hijack into a discussion as the relative merits of those provisions or this action. But if you receive/desire government benefits, just realize the rules change. And folk before/after such changes get treated differently.) ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/85 "2024-11-20T19:35:59Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > I need to make sure to do so at the earliest possible moment. Is that three months before my birth month (so January 1) or three months before my actual birthday? From the “Medicare and You” handbook, available on Medicare’s website: “Generally, you can first sign up for Part A and/or Part B during the 7 month period that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.” So if your birthday is in April, you can sign up beginning January 1. Note that your coverage would not start until the first day of April. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/86 "2024-11-20T19:39:26Z")
I am due to retire next year but don’t know if that will even be possible now with whatever changes are going to occur. I have insurance through work right now. I am 67 so I could conceivable sign up for Medicare asap. I think I’ll make an appointment to discuss with someone. I already have Part A. Probably have to work until I fall over and die. Which won’t be long hopefully lol. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/87 "2024-11-20T19:55:40Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I’m in a good, but weird situation. I have enough SS credits. But won’t get much. > > But the county I work for in Colorado was one of two to not pay into SS and instead pay into other accounts that the employee controls (which you have to do). In short, I think they saw the writing on the wall. So I no longer pay into SS. I haven’t for some 32 years. > > There was a short time frame to do this. I guess county governments where given the option. > > The money is mine. > > I doubt SS will go away, but I/we/the County has done better by making our own investments, instead of SS. Not to mention the fear of SS going away, or doing other ratfuckery to it. > > Medicare is a whole different problem. > [@Dinsdale](#): > > FYI - the House just passed HR 82, eliminating the windfall elimination provision and government pension offset. No word on whether Schumer will allow the Senate to act on it. But seems an indication that the Repubs currently in the House aren’t determined to greatly restrict SSA bens. > > (Not trying to hijack into a discussion as the relative merits of those provisions or this action. But if you receive/desire government benefits, just realize the rules change. And folk before/after such changes get treated differently.) @enipla this is what is affecting you. If this legislation goes through it may greatly change your situation. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/88 "2024-11-20T20:06:53Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > I have insurance through work right now. I am 67 so I could conceivable sign up for Medicare asap. At the risk of hijacking this thread (although it is discussing strategies for making moves before Dr. Oz can fuck things up): It’s cheaper for me to move from my employer health insurance to Medicare plus Medigap G. Mainly because if I drop health insurance my employer provides a monthly stipend which more than covers Mrs. Martian and my premiums (plus our annual deductible is much lower). With my previous employer is was even more of a no-brainer because the Medicare/Medigap premiums were lower than my part of the employer-supplied insurance. YMMV of course depending on your specific circumstance. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/89 "2024-11-20T20:09:28Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > > [@Ellecram](#): > > > > I have insurance through work right now. I am 67 so I could conceivable sign up for Medicare asap. > > At the risk of hijacking this thread: It’s cheaper for me to move from my employer health insurance to Medicare plus Medigap G. Mainly because if I drop health insurance my employer provides a monthly stipend which more than covers Mrs. Martian and my premiums (plus our annual deductible is much lower). With my previous employer is was even more of a no-brainer because the Medicare/Medigap premiums were lower than my part of the employer-supplied insurance. YMMV of course depending on your specific circumstance. Thank you for mentioning this. I never thought of it from that angle. I am going to check into this possibility as well as scheduling an appointment with a Medicare specialist. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/90 "2024-11-20T20:15:41Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > If this legislation goes through it may greatly change your situation. Possibly not. Depends on what he would otherwise expect to receive from SS - either on his or his wife’s acct. If his SS expectation is relatively low, and he expects relatively high bens from his county due to their wise investments, it may make no/minimal change. But it definitely WOULD affect many people significantly. And would piss off a lot of people who were previously subject to the windfall/offset, or who made changes to avoid it, which would now have been beneficial not changed. And I haven’t read the bill to see what - if anything - it says about retroactivity. Like I said, the rules change all the time. Sometimes in your favor, sometimes not. But this certainly does not suggest a commitment to reduce SS benefits. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/91 "2024-11-20T21:17:45Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > when I saw your post last night I thought you were kidding. If only. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/92 "2024-11-20T21:50:53Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > this is what is affecting you. If this legislation goes through it may greatly change your situation. It’s not a pension. Or a pension offset. It’s in my name. I can invest it however I want. We don’t get pensions. I could withdraw it tomorrow, but would have to pay tax on it. Well, whenever I withdraw it, I will have to pay tax on it. I suppose I could move it. But that doesn’t change anything. It would be taxed as income when I withdraw it. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/93 "2024-11-23T18:43:09Z")
And just to mention another possibility - my decision will be a no- brainer to keep my former employer’s insurance. Which will reimburse the Medicare premiums for myself and my husband, function as a Medicare supplement, provide prescription coverage and cover care anywhere in the world, (Medicare does not generally cover care outside of the US) ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/94 "2024-11-23T18:48:12Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > And just to mention another possibility - my decision will be a no- brainer to keep my former employer’s insurance. Which will reimburse the Medicare premiums for myself and my husband, function as a Medicare supplement, provide prescription coverage and cover care anywhere in the world, (Medicare does not generally cover care outside of the US). We don’t have that option unfortunately. In fact my county government agency is planning on eliminating the private health insurance and requiring everyone under 65 to sign up with the state marketplace options. If you are still working past 65 you will be required to sign up for Medicare. One of the local counties has already done this. For now I am not choosing a retirement date until I can see at least some of the bigger picture. Plus I am doing research on Medicare options in my locality. It sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/95 "2024-11-23T19:06:57Z")
Not sure which thread to put it in, so I’ll put it here. Over the past week, SSA Commissioner resigned 1 year into a 6 year term. And the #2 guy in SSA Office of Hearings and Appeals stepped away from his leadership role. I suspect they will not be the last, and that many Agencies will see top-level management step down rather than deal with the incoming admin. ---
**Author:** ![TeroSunbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terosunbear/32/14748_2.png) [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875/96 "2024-11-26T02:44:20Z")
Mehmet Oz will attempt to privatize Medicare. " But there is some reason to be hopeful. As my coll, existing laws will make it somewhat challenging for Oz to completely wreck Medicare." [Why Republicans Are “Very Excited” About Dr. Oz – Mother Jones](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/11/mehmet-oz-medicare-privatized-republicans-excited/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-on-medicare-and-social-security-are-these-programs-now-in-danger/1009875.md?page=4)