Authored by Simon Black via SovereignMan.com,
On a deep, dark evening last June in the spectacularly celestial deserts of northern Chile, scientists made a phenomenal discovery.
It was a supernova… one that they named ASASSN-15lh.
This wasn’t just any supernova. It was the BIGGEST and BRIGHTEST supernova ever recorded.
Supernovas are exploding stars whose ejected mass and energy can create a light show so brilliant that they can sometimes be seen with the naked eye in our own night sky.
At its most luminous, ASASSN-15lh was over 500 BILLION times brighter than our own sun, and FAR greater than the previous record holder.
This is so bright that, according to one of the lead researchers, if it had been located within our own galaxy there would have been no darkness on earth for weeks.
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Fortunately for us, ASASSN-15lh was from a galaxy far, far away– 3.8 BILLION light years away. So its intensity didn’t have much of an effect on Planet Earth.
Of course, such a prodigious distance also means that ASASSN-15lh actually went supernova 3.8 billion years ago.
The star was so far away from our planet that it took billions of years for the light from the supernova to reach us.
It’s mind boggling to think about. But in a way, the same can be said of many of the financial risks that we face.
Consider the exploding star of Social Security, one of the largest and most important pension programs in the world.
Literally tens of millions of people depend on it.
The Social Security Administration itself reports that 62% of recipients rely on the program for at least HALF of their income.
And further research by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) shows that, without Social Security, 22.1 million Americans would fall below the poverty line.
Needless to say, major cuts to the program would have nuclear effects.
And yet, year after year, the Social Security Board of Trustees publishes an annual report that describes the program’s terminal financial challenges in excruciating detail.
They mince no words in plainly stating that Social Security pays out far too much money, and takes in far too little.
According to the 2017 Trustees report, “Trust Fund reserves become depleted in 2035.”
They’re practically giving us a date that we can circle on a calendar and mark “End of Social Security.”
The Trustees go on to lightly propose solutions, including an “immediate and permanent reduction” in benefits to all current and future Social Security recipients.”
And in case you’re wondering who these whack-job Trustees are, they include the Treasury Secretary of the United States, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Labor.
These aren’t just random people.
We’re talking about politicians at the highest levels of government who are telling us that Social Security is running out of money… and calling for an immediate and permanent cut in benefits.
Given the tens of millions of people who depend on the program, the consequences of either scenario would be catastrophic.
Sadly, this is not a new problem. The Trustees have been screaming for years that Social Security’s finances are unsustainable.
Yet year after year, the problem was ignored… which brings the end-game one year closer, and the ultimate solution that much more painful.
That’s what makes Social Security a gigantic supernova.
The star exploded years ago. But it will take until 2035 for everyone to realize it… though frankly it could be sooner than that.
People are living longer than ever before– the average life expectancy in the US is a full EIGHTEEN YEARS longer than it was when Social Security was conceived back in the 1930s.
This means that Social Security will have to pay out more money to more recipients for much longer than they’ve ever had to pay before.
This will be an enormous cost to the program.
Simultaneously, despite all the celebration of the low unemployment rate in the US, the Labor Force Participation Rate is still near a multi-decade low.
This means that there are fewer people in the work force who are actually paying in to the Social Security System.
According to its own projections, Social Security requires 3 employed workers to support one retiree.
And they watch this worker-to-beneficiary ratio very closely.
In 2010 it dipped below 3 for the first time, and in 2013 hit 2.8. The Trustees’ projections show it will continue to fall, to as low as 2.2.
So if you look at the big picture, a growing number of beneficiaries is being supported by a declining number of workers.
This isn’t rocket science– it’s pretty obvious what’s going to happen.
Yet the collective response is to simply ignore the problem… or outright refuse to believe it, as if this is some crazy conspiracy theory.
This isn’t a theory.
It’s simple arithmetic based on government data, backed by the same conclusions reached by the Treasury Secretary of the United States.
Now, the bad news is that none of us can actually fix Social Security.
And we sure as heck can’t convince someone to prepare for a problem that they refuse to acknowledge.
But we can easily do something about it ourselves.
After all, this is one of those MAJOR problems we’ve been talking about– and one that can easily be avoided.
The good news is that many of the solutions haven’t changed with the new tax law.
You can still establish, for example, certain self-directed IRA structures or a solo 401(k).
These structures not only dramatically increase your contribution limits (to more than $50,000 annually), but also vastly expand the universe of investment options– real estate, cryptocurrency, private equity, etc.
So ultimately you could save more, and earn more, for your retirement.
The Social Security star has already exploded. But it will take the light another 15+ years to reach us.
That’s plenty of time to prepare for anyone with the right education and the will to act.
And to continue learning how to ensure you thrive no matter what happens next in the world, I encourage you to download our free Perfect Plan B Guide.
This assumes that you have a job that pays enough to be able to save more than minimal amounts of money at a time when these jobs are fewer and farther between than ever before.
And what you do save is either too low interest on your money (with respect to inflation) from the bank, OR will be stolen by the rigged stock market.
Not much hope either way………
Simple solution. Remove the income cap on social security deductions. Currently, 2017, the deductions stopped at $127,200.00. If you remove the cap, and yes it is a tax increase, the problem disappears. That is, if you can keep congress from spending from the Social Security Trust Fund – Good luck with that.
Fuck that! I’m already paying $15,959 in Social Security taxes for 2018.
That puts you in the 1% class, time to start paying your fair share.
Bullshit-then it becomes another wealth transfer program. That wasn’t the deal when this scam was set up. And pension funds across the board are dramatically underfunded to the point that almost every municipality in the country is tittering near a bankruptcy abyss.
What you what to do is something like what Chile has done. You are forced to save and you can either self direct it or pay into a government fund. Less then 10%(?) initially signed out to self direct. People saw payments of self directed savers v the governments’ over 3x higher and now I believe participation in self directing your investment is over 90%.
There are restrictions as to where you can invest but none the less, you can become an active participant in securing your future-such that it is.
Another tax the rich politics of envy asshole. Why should they pay more but get no more?
W hen the cap is removed, will those who pay more, get more?
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[/img]
Tough talk!
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There are so many other places where the budget can be cut- warfare, welfare for hood rats, the prison for drugs racket, bennies for illegals- it’s past time we take care of OUR people.
What a marvelously radical idea!! I so admire people with the imagination to devise new solutions to old problems. Do you think it possible our sterling politicians will eagerly embrace this new concept of solving our own problems before venturing out to solve the problems of others? One does hope.
This AINT gonna happen anytime soon. The politicians don’t have the balls. They will print greenbacks to meet ss obligations and create an even worse situation. Everyone on TBP knows this will not end well.
I’d rather see them increase the eligibility age and decrease benefits than increase mandatory deductions from my paycheck because fuck all ya’ll………I’d prefer to fund my own retirement with that money.
I thought the invasion of tens of millions of America hating turd worlder’s was supposed to increase the tax base to be milked? WTF ever happened to that?
Way-yell, people gotta actually work a job before they can pay taxes, including social security. Most of the third worlders that were actively imported under Obingo-Obongo never intended to get a job. They came here to go on welfare and stay on welfare. The people who imported them knew that.
The first idea behind the importing of millions who cannot fill the job slots available, and wouldn’t work even if they could, was to add voters to support Demoncrap politicians and other Socialists. The other idea was to accelerate the overloading and collapse of the system. The SJW types believe that out of chaos, they will be able to create order, their concept of proper order.
Their idea of proper order is a socialist paradise, a system of rigid control by a small group at the center. They believe that, having learned proper lessons from the mistakes they made when they created the Soviet Union, they will do better the next time.
Well then, get to work. Plenty of jobs being advertised all over where I live. They may not be “careers” but it’s a fucking job……..get two! Looks like the days of laying around and gibs me dats are coming to and end.
If I’m reading the intro correctly on the report (followed through the provided link), it says that the number of disability applications has gone down when it had been forecast to rise. There is no reason suggested. Heroin epidemic?
I do not know the answer to your question. I do know that it is routine for Disability applications, no matter how blatantly obvious the need, to be denied the first time through, and often the second time as well. If you are sick, weak and depressed enough, maybe you will just give up.
Fortunately for them, the people I know who went through this had others to support them, and support them through the process. Not everyone does.
When I worked in Denver, going on 20 years ago, a co-worker told me about the ultimate scam that sleazy lawyers ran on the social security system.
In their spare time, the lawyers would persuade homeless guys to sign contracts authorizing the lawyers to apply for SSA disability benefits on behalf of the homeless guys who were begging on every street corner. Using the Americans with Disabilities Act as a basis, the lawyer would file a petition saying the homeless guy was unable to work, was disabled, because of a drug or alcohol addiction.
The applications were always turned down, but the lawyers would always keep pushing. After a year, the SSA drones would always relent and grant the street corner beggars a SSA disability pension, paid retroactively back to the date of the initial petition.
So, at an average of $600 per month for one year, the initial payout was about $7200, of which the lawyer got half. If an enterprising shyster signed up 10 to 20 street corner beggars per month, he could make his spare time worth $36,000 to $72,000 per month. Don’t you wish you has set your ethics aside so you could go to law school?
After paying a check cashing service $600 to cash that first big check, Mr. Addict with the “Will work for food, please help, God Bless” sign would still have $3000 in folding cash in his pocket. Guy was able to buy all the high octane whiskey he could pour down his gullet or all the uncut drugs he could stuff up his nose. Wonder how many died in the first week from an overdose?
Are any of them single? Cause I know some fat chicks who’d be happy with a guy on SSDI.
That’s an old Step 13 story from Bob Cote’s days. Man, remember him? He was one tough son of a bitch. He would pop up on Rosen’s show for interviews. Loved the guy and his no bullshit approach. I always kicked in. He refused to take government money. He helped 100s of men get their shit back together. A real man.
Yep Jimminy let’s not forget section 8 rent vouchers ! The owner of a non performing property that would not be an attractive to rent fixes it up just enough to qualify for that subsidy and recieves 3 or 4 times what the property would legitimately produce in rent . Or Elon Musk getting $7500 per car from the taxpayer . Social Security disability checks where originally for people who become sick or injured and had participated in the insurance program by working and paying into it generally for many years however it like most federal programs are ripe with fraud and abuse !
I catch a great deal of flack and some support when I bring up industrial jobs paying high union wages and benefits to improve the general middle class and our nations economy remember .15 cents of every dollar paid to a high wage worker goes to social security and Medicare . Yes I know half is paid by the employer but it still must come out of a profitable business endevour that has. Even discouraged by the American government except for a chosen few . Charity begins at Home !
In the article and all the comments, only 1 person, Wolverine, actually touched on the reason why SS is in trouble. As originally set up, it would still be solvent. The ONLY REASON it’s fucked, is because the damn gov couldn’t keep their greezy mitts off of it. A little razzle dazzle sleight of hand legaleez, and PRESTO! the SS funds are now available for THEIR use. That was quite a few years ago. And letting non-contributors get theirs just adds insult to injury. But as I said, as originally set up, that didn’t happen. But don’t worry; 2035 is way past everything else’s expiration date. I just get pissed at their constant never-ending bullshit.
There is no “trust fund”. It’s bullshit. The IOU’s owed by the feral government to the fake “trust fund” are paid for by current taxes or current borrowing. Social Security is welfare – albeit welfare mostly paid by a dedicated tax.
Albeit welfare partially paid for by a dedicated tax. Fixed it for you.
When you take out more than you put in, for each individual,on average, it is a Ponzi scheme. The SS Ponzi relies on an ever growing group of young workers to fund payments.
You forget the power of compound interest…You are correct in stating that a SS recipient will “break even” with his “contributions” by age 71, BUT, that does not count the interest that his “contributions” should have earned, if he were “allowed to invest his (and his employer’s) SS “contribution” on his own, he would have been much better off–a millionaire easily. People forget that SS is a grand “Ponzi scheme” in which current workers pay current retirees…The city of Galveston Texas was the last municipality “allowed” to “opt out” of the federal Social Security system. The average retiree of the Galveston system collects approximately THREE TIMES what the average social security system recipient gets…sorta tells you something…
Anarchyst – even allowing for interest. Especially allowing for interest on Treasuries, which is fuck all.
Social Security is NOT an “entitlement”. I, along with most other taxpayers was FORCED (along with an equivalent amount paid by my employer) at the point of a gun to “contribute” to the Social Security system . . . give me back my “contributions” along with my employer’s share (with compounded interest) and I will happily walk away from this Ponzi scheme . . .
Social Security “contributions” should have been taken out on a pre-tax basis. We are being taxed “doubly” by “benefits” being taxed.
Anarchyst – sorry to break it to you. They already spent your contribution. Tough shit.
Unfortunately you are correct…
You are correct. The money is all gone. But, it wasn’t spent on social security payouts. The SSA money already collected was dumped into the general fund by miscreants like Lyndon “Light Bulb” Johnson and spent on boondoggles like the Viet Nam war.
I suspect that the current inflow of SSA money is not sufficient to cover the outflow of money to SSA retirees. I suspect that SSA retiree payments are actually funded by debt creation. Can’t prove it, but there are a myriad of truths that cannot be easily proven, considering the blizzard of lies that emanate from our government agencies.
Incidentally, I am considering moving to Poland, where “tough shit” is pronounced as “tough shitski”. Little known fact: if you can speak English, you can speak Polish also by just adding a “ski” on the end of each word. Very handy to know, considering that the Polish government officials, along with the governments of Hungary and the Czech Republic, are demonstrating considerable smarts in resisting the influx of Muslim moochers. The Polish wish to maintain their territorial, racial, and cultural identity. The polacks only want inhabitants who work for a living and do not engage in random unprovoked violence. What a concept.
Similar ideas may take root here in the land of the fee and home of the tax slave. For example, after the coming collapse of the DSSA, the First People tribes, including the Choctaw, Creek, Cherokee, Ponca, Tonkawa, et al, maybe will reestablish, in Oklahoma, the treaty defined territorial boundaries of their nations. Perhaps, drawing on the lessons of history, they will be vigilant to maintain the territorial boundaries, racial purity, and cultural identity of their nations.
Wouldn’t justice require that the “employer’s share” go back to employer? How to reverse engineer “compound interest” in a fiat interest rate context?
Ponzi’s got one outcome. From inception – one outcome.
A healthy thriving economy with honest and honorable people with a government following the rule of law most systems would run fairly well . I know dream on ! I caught that Oval Office meeting kicking around bullshit among republicans and democrats with President Trump staging the show , cute very cute !
Nothing of substance will come from that complete waste of time !
As the boomers die off it will reduce the number of recipients entering the system and reduce the financial strain on the system as the number of current ones grows smaller.
Long term projections never seem to consider that.
Aninniemous – that is stoopid.What on earth makes you think the projections are ignoring demographics? That is how projections are done, you dimwit.
So, after the boomers are gone what will the situation be and how soon is that being projected to reach the diminishing numbers point?
There is no ‘trust fund’ ! All that money has been spent. There is only the obligation to tax the economy a second time to make the payments. And , the federal deficit is about a trillion dollars a year now with a crash and recession due. ( cycles)
Karl gets it.
The funds have been consumed by unfunded liabilities. Congress is the biggest waste of tax funds this country has ever known.
We pay a bunch of pretentious asswipes to do nothing and pat each other on the back for how smart they are. If none of them showed up, would it make one iota of difference?
Maybe to the BETTER.
“People are living longer than ever before– the average life expectancy in the US is a full EIGHTEEN YEARS longer than it was when Social Security was conceived back in the 1930s.”
And therein lies the problem. A dumb fucking government that has spent billion of dollars on programs designed to make you live longer.
War on Drugs
War on Alcohol
War on Fast Foods
War on Smoking
Clean air and water
Automobile safety standards
CDC
OSHA,
and on and on.
Just sign up for Simon’s “Plan B” and all your worries will evaporate into thin air, right about the same time that pigs (or, in keeping with the times, pig-drones) overfly your home. Then again, given that the sky is falling, maybe there won’t be any flying.
Should I survive until 2035, I’ll be 89, but there’ll be plenty of “gray panthers” with wheelchair rocket launchers ready to take to the streets if their socsec benefits are cut, never mind eliminated! This long-time expat ain’t depending on socsec, but paid into it and happily expects to receive his “dividend” and would be very angry were it to be cut, technicalities aside. Can’t imagine it happening, however, unless the USA stops circling the drain and actually goes down it. Actively taking steps to reduce U$D digital cash holdings and say, 85%, convert them into locally held productive tangibles: water well drilling; a metal-working shop; silent partner in a butcher shop that can now also sell fish thanks to my investment; a few rental units in a high-demand agricultural center; an ultra-high-tech medium-scale greenhouse; a smoking and salting facility and last but not least, a small-scale medical marijuana seed production facility in anticipation of eventual legalization in the country in which I live.
Haven’t seen Simon’s “Plan B” but will take a look at it if for no other reason than to perhaps have a few laughs, but one never knows, so maybe he has a better handle on things than do I. Nevertheless, I’m content with my own ideas, but don’t believe for a NY minute that socsec benefits will be eliminated.