Between my bride and I, we receive a touch over $3800/month from SSA. I also draw some from my IRA to cover the monthly "shortfalls" until we are 100% debt free anyhow. Bride retired at 62 and I retired at 66. My IRA will last beyond when bride HAS to start withdrawing minimum from her 401k. We worked hard to get where we are and are tickled to get back some of what we put into SSA. I really didn't think there would be any $ to get back when I started working full time in 1975. As it is, I will be in my mid 70s before I hit the break-even point of what I put in SSA vs what I get back . . .
Pisses me off every time I hear SSA is an "entitlement" and lumped in with SSI and other pure welfare give-aways. Sure do wish I/we could have put the monies we contributed into an IRA/401k/savings account instead of the .gov coffers.
