Sounds like it should, but the records, I suspect, are not always perfect. As it stands ( unless congress decides to go on another great giveaway spree), you are required to present identification in person as part of getting the benifits. That makes it much more unlikely that someone could actually cash in on your benefits, no matter how inadequate they may be.
More than likely, if someone is using your SS number, you would hear from the IRS in the form of a demand for payment, penalty, interest, and threats to your security and freedom.
Every year, they send a statement, which gives you a snapshot of what you will earn when you retire. It has a summary of when you worked. Perhaps you would pick it up then, I dunno.
…They do? I only got one of these once, I think. (It told me something ot the effect that with my current amount of earnings I was eligible for about $55 a year upon retirement.) I must have moved too much when I was working in the US.
When I read my social security statement that comes periodically in the mail, I am reminded of the years when I had such little income. I even had a few zero years when I was having a good time living on what was supposed to be my retirement savings. I had a conversation with myself early on, and we came to an agreement that I was not going to be one of the people who retire at 65 and pass away 6 months later without ever having the opportunity to enjoy the retirement years. No Sir, we decided right then and there that I was going to get a least a few years of retirement in early in my thirties. I don’t advocate this behavior, however, especially if you are responsible for family members.
Being officially retired at present and currently drawing my meager monthy social security payments, any fun that I now can afford I consider icing on the cake. Speaking of cake, I really shouldn’t have eaten so much of the triple-chocolate ice cream cake that my wife and I had for our Valentine’s Day dinner a short time ago. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
Nice point, Doug. The difference between the quick and the dead is very slim. I agree that there is no reason to retire if you are not forced to by health or circumstance. I have seen too many people retire, sit down and do nothing, and die shortly thereafter. On the other hand, some of my oldest friends are still putting in time on the job in their 80’s and 90’s. It is what keeps them ticking. Increasingly, we are not going to be able to count on the government dole, and I for one don’t plan to quit working at something unless I am forcibly removed. In chains.
