Government Pensions

[sarongsong]

The U.S. has its Social Security program that provides a monthly payment to retirees, usually beginning at age 65, or beginning earlier if a worker becomes disabled. The amounts vary from about $600 to $1,500, depending on how much has been deducted from a worker's paychecks over the years for this program. Do other countries have a similar program?

[Nicolas]

You're asking whether the rest of the world can compete with the social security in the US? :roll: :D

In Belgium, you have standard government retirees payments, depending on how much they have worked amongst others (depends on your social statute, family, whether you had to ork in Germany during the war etc). You can choose for yourself to save during your working days for extra payments afterwards, in a similar way as the system you described. That extra payment goes via banks/insurance here.

[Andrew]

We have National Insurance here in Britain.

[tmosher]

France does...a quite liberal one. Generally, from 65% (high wage earners) to 100% (low wage earners) of their final salary.

However, they have to contribute for approximately 37 years before they get their pension.

[The Supreme Canuck]

We have the Canada Pension Plan. You pay into it as long as you work and get it when you retire.

[Argos]

Brazilians have a federal pension system ranging from USS$ 100 to 1,000,00 depending on the wages you earned along your working life. The states of the union have a pension system for their public employees. The federal system is eroded due to decades of bad administration and it is on the verge of collapse. There is an eternal discussion in the congress on whether high pensions should be reduced to stabilize the system. Private pension is the best option (the only one I´d say).

[sarongsong]

You're asking whether the rest of the world can compete with the social security in the US? :roll: :D ...
Not at all; just wondering what other countries' policies are.

[Sammy]

The U.S. has its Social Security program that provides a monthly payment to retirees, usually beginning at age 65, or beginning earlier if a worker becomes disabled. The amounts vary from about $600 to $1,500, depending on how much has been deducted from a worker's paychecks over the years for this program. Do other countries have a similar program? (emphasis added)

Off just a bit in the details:

1. The program has been changed to increase the starting age for people born (I think) after 1940. For people born in the late 40s, I think it's now up to age 67 for benefits to start.

2. The benefit amount is actually based on how much you earned, not the amount deducted. The numbers differ, because not everyone works for the same number of years--a minimum of 40 quarters of covered earnings are required.

3. Disability payments are different that the pension benefits, and can be awared to minors.

Finally, remember to differentiate bewteen Social Security benefits and Government Pensions, paid to government retirees who have the required years of service and the minimum age.

[Gillianren]

here's what I want to know about disability.

everyone I've talked to, just about, has told me that everyone gets rejected the first time. (since I just received my first rejection, I find this heartening.) is this true? I was actually told by one person that 80% of applicants get rejected the first time, but 80% of people who appeal receive benefits. I calculated that this gives me a 64% chance of getting benefits.

anyway, cross your fingers for me, huh, guys?

[sarongsong]

...everyone I've talked to, just about, has told me that everyone gets rejected the first time.
Two of three people I know got it the first time (cancer and brain tumor), the 3rd (hearing) was rejected on appeal. It's a mountain of paperwork and documentation and waiting (at least they make the benefits retroactive from the filing date when accepted) for sure---good luck!

[Sammy]

here's what I want to know about disability.

everyone I've talked to, just about, has told me that everyone gets rejected the first time. (since I just received my first rejection, I find this heartening.) is this true? I was actually told by one person that 80% of applicants get rejected the first time, but 80% of people who appeal receive benefits. I calculated that this gives me a 64% chance of getting benefits.

anyway, cross your fingers for me, huh, guys?

Mrs. Sammy agrees in general with your stats, tho she can't confirm the exact percentages. Most people got rejected the on their initial application because the standards are fairly high and many applicants don't do a great job documenting their disability and its impact on their earning capacity. Most people who appeal (especially if they are over 50) and appear for a hearing get approved.

The Hearings are fairly informal--an Administrative Law Judge, the applicant, his/her lawyer (not required, but recommended), and a Vocational Expert (VE). Mrs. Sammy is a VE. The VE is a contractor paid by Social Security, and essentially is there as a "Friend of the Court." The VE is not an advocate for the applicant or the government, but is there to advise the Judge on issues RE the impact of the disability on the applicant's ability to work at jobs for which they are trainned, and the prospects of employment in their area of residence.

Good Luck!

[SeanF]

here's what I want to know about disability.

everyone I've talked to, just about, has told me that everyone gets rejected the first time. (since I just received my first rejection, I find this heartening.) is this true? I was actually told by one person that 80% of applicants get rejected the first time, but 80% of people who appeal receive benefits. I calculated that this gives me a 64% chance of getting benefits.

anyway, cross your fingers for me, huh, guys?
::fingers crossed::

(PS, you did your math wrong. 20% of applicants get accepted the first time, and 80% of the remaining 80% get accepted on appeal, so the total odds of getting accepted are 84% [64+20]. However, since you're already in the first-time-rejected-80%, your odds at this point are 80% - but only if you appeal. If you don't appeal, they're somewhere around 0%) :D

[Gillianren]

yes, you're right. I figured it out a long time ago, and I've been pretty spacy the last few days (my grandmother just died).

I got my paperwork in a week after I got the rejection. we're back to the point where all I can do is wait.