Commentary: Doing The Happy Dance as Social Security Pays Up

Christmas came early a couple of weeks ago when I received my first-ever Social Security deposit, courtesy of Uncle Sam and my half-century of paying taxes into the federal retirement system. And I’m absolutely giggly about it.

This was the expected culmination, after all, of a work history that began when I logged shifts at fast-food joints in Washington as a teenager – dodging both grease and occasionally rude customers.

I know, intellectually, that I derive all sorts of benefits from my federal tax dollars: Military protection. Interstate highways. Health care, which I gained directly after starting Medicare at age 65. (I still fork over monthly premiums, but thank goodness it’s available for senior citizens. Attacks on Obamacare for younger Americans are petty and threaten lives.)

Now, though, the money set aside for Social Security was finally coming back to me. I’ve wagered that I should start collecting those benefits now.

Happy birthday, Social Security. Unless Congress acts, full benefits end in 7 years.

The pending insolvency of the system is a looming threat. By 2032, Social Security won’t be able to pay out full retirement benefits without significant changes. Among the proposals is ending the cap on earnings subject to the Social Security tax, which currently is $184,500.

Of course, the program is popular among seniors, who are a reliable voting bloc. Do-nothing lawmakers won’t stay in Congress much longer if they don’t act.

This Baby Boomer could’ve waited until turning almost 67 to gain full retirement, and thus more cash monthly. But I was chastened by the fact that the Black men in my immediate family didn’t make it past 70, and that life expectancy among African-American men is lower than that of other subgroups.

So today, I’m relishing the GIF a friend sent me after I told him the news about starting my benefits now. The fictional character Carlton Banks breaks out in his eponymous dance.

I don’t care how corny it is. I love getting paid for the taxes I’ve already contributed over decades.

by Roger Chesley, Virginia Mercury

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