Social Security disability or retirement benefits are not going to make anyone rich. Consider the fact that receiving these benefits only replaces a portion of a salary when the recipient was working, it results in those who receive benefits having to do more with less.
We have talked many times that the people who receive these benefits would rather be working or continue to work than collect a portion of what they used to make, but it is important to note that millions count on benefits to survive, even some high ranking government officials.
One of these officials is Carolyn Colvin, acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration. In a recent blog post Colvin shared her own personal stories about the help her family has received from Social Security. Specifically Colvin mentioned her disabled brother who received benefits which enabled him to live independently and her mother who received retirement benefits improving her quality of live. The most eye-opening mention from Colvin touched on the death of her 34-year-old son who left behind four children. After this tragedy Colvin’s grandchildren received survivor’s benefits to assist the family.
It really doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor or where you come from, it is likely that a member of your family has benefited from Social Security in one way or another, or they eventually will.
Opponents are likely to jump on Colvin as a liberal example of a government official whose family has benefited from Social Security because she was appointed acting commissioner by President Barack Obama, but republicans have also benefited from Social Security benefits, even those who want to cut benefits.
The current Speaker of the House Paul Ryan benefited and received Social Security survivor’s benefits, as did the rest of his family, after the death of his father. He has admitted this money actually helped pay for college costs.
Social Security is a great program, yes there are many things that can be improved, but sometimes it is important to remember all the millions of people Social Security has helped over the years.
