First, some context with regard to my situation:
- I was born at the start of the greatest decade ever: the 1970's
- I worked in corporate America until 1999, when I decided it was time for me to do what comes natural to people with my personality: self-employment.
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If I die this year, my daughter can count on around $659 per month from the SSA.
Notice that that one-time death benefit is for my spouse (I'm not married) or minor child is only $255.
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In order for me to qualify for retirement benefits when I reach 65, I'd need 40 "credits" of work. Currently, I have 37.
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If I am not able to accumulate the retirement-minimum 40 credits by the time I'm 65, I will not qualify for Medicare.
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The system is setup so that even when deserving folks apply, seldom do they get approved, as a matter of course.
Feeling useless is pretty much a death sentence for someone like me, so this is n/a.
NB: I don't understand why the SSA is offering me a link to apply for disability benefits when they've already let me know that I don't qualify. ???????????
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Bottom line: Based on these numbers, it's quite clear that one should always be realistic about Social-Security benefits. Amen.