MK forum

Just a short summary. We are missionaries from America and we pay into social security and then draw on it at certain ages, the longer you wait the more you draw up to a certain age. They also deduct from your social security payments so much for your medical care after age 65 but in our case we don't qualify for that because we are out of the country.

More elementary info on social security not that I am an expert that is for sure. Everybody pays into social security once you get a job, that is except politicians who have their own retirement plan and also the railroad has their own retirement plan (which I think the U. S. government would like to get their hands on). Social security is actually a scam but it is compulsory in most cases. It has been used for social welfare in which it was never intended, so some who have never paid in get it as well now. I am for helping the helpless but there are some who are not helpless but pose as such. From what I understand even though we and millions of others have paid into it all our working lives, it is now broke and with the baby boomers retiring (which have paid most of the $ into it) it is under threat, no raises for the retirees since the new president has been in. This is basic info on the U.S. system of social security, that's all.

Thanks for the informed comments, our govt is tinkering with things. Like you we are stuffed, with more coming out than is going in and it predicted to get worse for the same reasons. Might cancel my plans to find a nice resthome in Florida, doesn't sound like its much better over there. Interesting how politicians are exempt from what we lesser mortals have to abide by, if its any consolation, its more or less the same down here. As George Orwell said, "some are more equal than others".
Again thanks for the insight.

Just to add----some NTO miss opted out of Soc Sec in order to walk by faith more fully.
So they have nothing. Unless their children or their churches are taking care of them.
And probably no one can live very well on Soc Sec alone.

Thanks tow-mater, from this point my husband and I will call the U.S. the United States of Debt, aptly fits.

Like California and Japan, we sit on the Pacific plate, so get more than our fair share of earthquakes. In February the big one hit and the city we live in was severely damaged and several hundred were killed. A few practical things that were learnt in a hurry:

1. The power system will probably fail, so have a mobile phone charger that runs off the car. You will receive many calls and texts and what charge you have will quickly go and with no power that will be it, unless you have a car charger. Stick to texts, it doesn't load the cell phone system so much (and it quickly overloads). Also have an old style phone somewhere. Sometimes the landlines work, but with no power cordless phones are useless.

2. Have a supply of water and food, enough for three days at least.

3. Have a prearranged plan of what to do if you are not with your nearest and dearest, where to meet e.t.c. Believe me when the roads become impassable for vehicles and the phone system fails it is a long wait to find out if your loved ones have survived. I ended up bouncing texts through a friend hundreds of miles away, to find out where my wife was.

4. Check your hot water cylinder asap. It takes a few dollars to restrain it to the wall, but if you don't it costs thousands to fix the damage of water everywhere and then to replace the cylinder.

5. Have disinfectants handy and wash hands thoroughly before handling food e.t.c. Sewerage pipes will burst and the treatment plants won't cope, so it ends up in the river e.t.c.

6. In a full scale emergency, help only those who are unable to help themselves, the naturally lazy will be making all sorts of noise about their trivial problems and not lift a finger as usual. You will find out who you're true friends are and can rearrange your Christmas card list accordingly.

Hope this is of some use.

Came across this years ago and thought it was a brilliant bit of writing, so had a dig round and found it. It's by one Max Ehrmann.

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Mmmm ... I like that.

It really is a stunning bit of writing, so much practical advice, especially in our modern times. I believe it was written in Baltimore about 1929.