Social Security

2024 - 7 - 26

Fraud and Family Drama: The Bizarre World of Social Security Scams!

Disability Benefits - Financial Planning for Retirement - Illegal Immigrants and Social Security - Social Security Changes 2024 - Social Security Fraud - Social Security Funding Issues

From a woman stealing disability checks to a son turning his dad's corpse into cash, the wild world of social security fraud takes a shocking twist!

When it comes to Social Security, you’d expect it to be a source of support for those who truly need it. However, beneath the surface, some people are weaving a web of deceit big enough to leave anyone’s head spinning! Take the bizarre case of a woman from Detroit who was recently convicted for stealing Social Security disability funds. Between 2003 and 2015, she raked in money under false pretenses - all while holding down a job! Yes, you heard that right! She worked while claiming disability, proving that when it comes to fooling the system, some folks have a talent for it.

Then there’s the shocking story of a man who allegedly lived with his deceased father’s corpse, all in order to continue cashing in on his Social Security benefits. Talk about a dark family secret! After being discovered, he was sentenced to 36 months of probation and had to fork out over $17,000 in restitution. It’s hard to fathom how far some are willing to go to secure a few bucks, but this case proves that there’s no limit to deception during desperate times!

In the midst of all the chaos, it’s important to recognize the impact of a different perspective on the Social Security system itself. Contrary to the belief that illegal immigrants are draining Social Security resources, studies suggest they might actually be reinforcing it. These workers contribute billions into the Social Security pot each year, often with little hope of ever getting any benefit in return. It’s a strange twist in a complex debate that leaves many scratching their heads.

Whether it's deception for dollar signs or underrated contributions to the system, the social security narrative is an ever-evolving saga. We often hear about corruption, but it’s vital to appreciate the full spectrum of issues at hand. As the drama unfolds, one thing is clear – wherever money is involved, ethics sometimes go out the window!

Did you know that Social Security is a lifeline for over 70 million Americans? It’s designed to provide financial support for retirees, the disabled, and survivors of deceased workers. Additionally, illegal immigrants contribute approximately $12 billion a year to Social Security, a testament to their economic role, even if they don’t benefit directly from it!

Detroit Woman Convicted of Stealing Social Security Disability ... (Department of Justice)

This is her fourth federal felony conviction for fraud. Between 2003 and 2015, Hogue—despite working under her true identity—fraudulently collected disability ...

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Image courtesy of "mlive.com"

Man accused of living with father's corpse to cash social security ... (mlive.com)

He was sentenced by Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Celeste D. Bell to 36 months of probation and ordered to pay more than $17000 in restitution.

'Illegal immigrants' are reinforcing Social Security, not draining it (Amery Free Press)

Every year, workers living in the U.S. illegally pay billions into the Social Security system with little hope of ever getting any back.

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Image courtesy of "CNET"

Estimate Your Current or Expected Social Security Benefits With ... (CNET)

Calculate benefits for a current or former spouse, based on your earnings record. Check the status of your retirement or disability application. Request a ...

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo! Voices"

These 3 Social Security Changes Are Coming in January. Prepare ... (Yahoo! Voices)

At the start of 2024, Social Security benefits rose 3.2%. The year prior, benefits went up 8.7% in response to the rampant inflation consumers had to deal with ...

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Image courtesy of "CBS Pittsburgh"

Detroit woman, 73, convicted after stealing over $90000 in Social ... (CBS Pittsburgh)

From 2003-2015, a Detroit woman collected disability benefits under a second name, even though she was working under her actual identity.

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo Eurosport UK"

Nearly half of non-retirees expect Social Security to end — is it time ... (Yahoo Eurosport UK)

Amanda and Andrew Meindl of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, went to their financial adviser with an unusual request. The couple asked for help to prepare for a ...

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Image courtesy of "Planadviser.com"

Voters Do Agree on Something: Boosting Social Security Funding ... (Planadviser.com)

Ahead of fall elections, Americans have signaled their commitment to Social Security, but whether politicians listen and act remains uncertain, ...

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Image courtesy of "Motley Fool"

2025's Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Estimate ... (Motley Fool)

Inflation is slowing, but seniors on Social Security still feel its effects. Many have seen their expenses rise more quickly than their monthly checks and hope ...

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Image courtesy of "Nasdaq"

2 Changes Are Coming to Social Security in 2025 (Nasdaq)

Social Security serves as a lifeline for tens of millions of retired Americans. The Social Security Administration reported that in 2024 an average of ...

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Image courtesy of "MarketWatch"

Solving Social Security's funding shortfall requires acknowledging ... (MarketWatch)

One way to avoid repeated crises such as the one we are currently experiencing and to restore confidence in the financial stability of the Social Security ...

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Image courtesy of "Nasdaq"

4 Reasons Social Security Could Fail Tax-Paying Americans in the ... (Nasdaq)

Anxiety over the future of Social Security largely centers on the impending insolvency of the Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund, ...

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Image courtesy of "The Detroit News"

Detroit woman convicted for stealing $91K in Social Security ... (The Detroit News)

A federal jury convicted Ernestine Hogue, 73, after a two-day trial in Ann Arbor, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced in a ...

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Image courtesy of "Ravalli Republic"

Big Sky 55+: Conventional wisdom is just plain wrong on Social ... (Ravalli Republic)

In addition to payroll taxes, Social Security has other revenue streams including investment t income from its large trust fund and taxes on benefits. By law ...

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Image courtesy of "Hoodline"

Detroit Woman Convicted for Stealing Over $90000 in Social ... (Hoodline)

Ernestine Hogue, a 73-year-old woman from Detroit, has been found guilty by a federal jury of siphoning more than $90,000 in Social Security benefits over ...

'Illegal immigrants' are reinforcing Social Security, not draining it (Burnett County Sentinel)

Every year, workers living in the U.S. illegally pay billions into the Social Security system with little hope of ever getting any back.

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

Social Security Issues Two Alerts (Forbes)

The SSA says that anyone who created an account before September 18, 2021, soon will have to access the account through either login.gov or ID.me. These are two ...

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

Leaving Social Security Untouched May Drive 3.8M Seniors Into ... (Forbes)

Failing to fix Social Security's looming financial shortfall would throw 3.8 million seniors into poverty by 2045. Median promised benefits would decline by ...

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Image courtesy of "KCRA Sacramento"

Rossen Reports: Logging into your social security account just ... (KCRA Sacramento)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is updating its online access procedures. Many of you recently received an email from the SSA announcing the need ...

This email from Social Security about Login.gov is not a scam (Meadville Tribune)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced changes to how recipients can access online services, and an email notice sent to beneficiaries ...

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Image courtesy of "CNBC"

Most people don't know how much their Social Security retirement ... (CNBC)

Social Security is a major source of income for most retirees. Yet new research shows most people don't know how much income they may receive from the ...

Office of the Inspector General (Office of the Inspector General)

Ernestine Hogue, a/k/a Ernestine Calhoun, 73, was convicted following a two-day jury trial in Ann Arbor, before United States District Judge Judith E. Levy.

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Image courtesy of "MarketWatch"

Don't know what your Social Security benefits will be? Uh oh. (MarketWatch)

It's one component, of course, but it's an important part of a retirement plan,” said Drew Oestreicher, principal and senior client adviser with Spinnaker Trust ...

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Image courtesy of "Olean Times Herald"

Social Security Matters: I was self-employed and don't have enough ... (Olean Times Herald)

DEAR NEEDING: Social Security is an earned benefit, and eligibility is attained by contributing to SS through FICA payroll taxes, or Self-Employment (SECA) tax ...

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Image courtesy of "cleveland.com"

This email from Social Security about Login.gov is not a scam (cleveland.com)

The Social Security Administration recently announced changes to how recipients can access online services by transitioning to a Login.gov account, ...

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Image courtesy of "Valpo.Life"

Social Security transitioning to new Credential Service Providers (Valpo.Life)

Two-Factor Authentication is when you add your cell phone number so if you, or anyone, login with your credentials they will not be able to access your account ...

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Image courtesy of "Kiplinger's Personal Finance"

Social Security Login Changes Taking Effect Soon (Kiplinger's Personal Finance)

The Social Security Administration will soon transition beneficiary accounts to the Login.gov platform.

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Image courtesy of "The Hill"

Social Security Administration funding cuts a disservice to Americans (The Hill)

Republican members of the House Appropriations Committee have voted to cut $500 million from the Social Security Administration budget, which will undermine ...

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