THEN: SOCIALLY INSECURE
NOW: SOCIAL SECURITY
Back in grade school, there were many times when I felt I didn’t fit in, especially where boys were concerned. At my first boy-girl party, I hid in the bathroom for several hours wishing the party would end so that I could escape to the freedom of my own home. To this day, I wonder if anyone knew that I was missing. Probably not. I was pretty invisible to most people.
The proof of my invisibility was documented on the playground when I was always the last one chosen for any team sport. And on Valentine’s Day when the bag on the back of my chair received only one or two Valentine’s cards, and one was always from the teacher.
In high school, I had great ideas, but never raised my hand. I had secret crushes that brought hours of joy when the object of my desire, merely looked in my direction.
Things I wanted to say came out all backwards. Fitting in was not my forte.
The only time I felt secure was during those hours spent with my BFF. (Perhaps that’s why she’s still my BFF today.)
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But as the years passed, I realized that most people shook hands with “social insecurity” at one time or another in their teenage and early adult years. We were all just trying to find our place in the world.
Decades passed. I grew into my skin. I fit in.
And now once again I’m approaching a phase in my life which at times feels slippery. I want to embrace “retirement” but unfortunately my financial situation isn’t giving me the hugs I need.
But then of course there is Social Security.
According to Wikipedia, Social Security is a program providing protection against “recognized conditions, including poverty, old age, disability, unemployment and others.”
Once one opts to receive Social Security benefits that is the amount they will receive for the rest of their life, providing the money is still available.
Wherein lies my dilemma. I don’t want to collect this money now, but will the program still exist when I really do need it? There are dozens of financial gurus willing to help me. All for a small sum of my savings.
As far as I can tell, there’s nothing “social” about this club and for the “security” part, I might as well be back on that playground.
It is scary to see how things we took for granted as we’ve been paying into them during our working years may disappear, or at least be reduced, when we’re ready to finally benefit from them, Janie. And unlike those days long ago when we didn’t fit in on the playground, reinventing ourselves grows harder, too, as we get older.
This was very well written and funny at the right parts. The only thing “social” about Social Security is that there’s a society of persons out there who are also receiving the same monetary benefits. As far as “security” goes, I would hardly think the pittance most people receive would make them feel financially secure at all. That’s a joke. As far as I’m concerned when people enter their “older” years, they become “outcasts”, treated by the rest of society as practically disposable. Americans often relegate the “elderly” as not worthy of the money it would take to help them have “golden years”. Sorry. I’ll get off my podium now. It might have to do with my having a father-in-law who is 91 and in a convalescent home.
Really thoughtful comment. Our age group is in a tough situation. Many are out of jobs, have dipped into their 401k s to help make ends meet, and are watching our pennies as taxes and prices skyrocket.
Not a great way to slip slide our way into old age.
Janie:
I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way. My 401K came late in my career. Nurses, when I started in ’68, didn’t get pensions and most still don’t. So I NEED that Social Security AND Medicare and I will be getting both in a year.
I also NEED to retire. I’m 63 with almost 43 years of nursing and I’m tired, very, very tired. I want to stop doing a job I never wanted and do something else.
I’ve paid into the system for all these years. I’ve taken year of hundreds, maybe thousands, of patients all these years. May I rest now and be a little secure?
Patricia – Hey, it didn’t feel like you were on a podium to me. I agree with you completely.
Robin – It wasn’t supposed to happen like this, was it?
Mitzi – I’m with you on this. I hope you can retire and rest. Thank you for being a nurse and helping everyone all these years. To me a good nurse is invaluable.
I think one of the problems with social security is that the people who formulated the plan figured our population would keep booming and we’d still have 50 workers paying for one social security beneficiary. Uh…didn’t work out that way. Also, there are people collecting social security who never paid into the system. Heck, if I could’ve kept that money instead of paying it into the system, I’m sure I would have a lot more coming back to me at retirement than I will now! Ah well, fine minds at work. And two Valentines? Really, Janie?
Very thoughtful and timely post. I’m grateful for anyone who is willing to stand up and say something.
Yes, Carol. Back then we didn’t have to give a Valentine to every one in class. We were so not politically correct!