The Argument Against Senior Discounts

Last month the Social Security Administration predicted its insolvency in 2027, the year I will turn 60.  Because it will not be there, I decided that I don't need to pay into it anymore.  Of course, my request to the powers that be fell on deaf ears, as my input now is needed to pay for those that are already retired.  Their invested funds have been used on things like Medicare and defense (and offense).

So as the baby boomers age they will get their social security payments, thanks to me and those in the subsequent generations.

The generations that enjoyed the benefits of America's massive economic expansion from 1950 to 2000 or so, the generations that saw their home values double, triple or more,  the generation that will be the last to receive traditional pensions, the generation that has savings and retirement, the ones that profited from the irrational exuberance of an unfairly inflated stock market-- they will cash in on government benefits.

They were beneficiaries of an unsustainable wealth developing environment.  The next ten years will absolutely include higher interest rates, minimal pay increases and higher taxes.

Most people my age and below will not see Social Security.  Ever.  Worse, most of my cohort have not even considered saving for retirement.  Many are just finishing paying for their college degrees.  We get a flat housing market (if we're lucky), a stock market and economy that are as likely to crash as they are to go grow, massive insurance and healthcare costs, and inflationary pressure from our nation's economic policies.

Generations previous deserved what they got.  Exorbitant practices were rare and most people were dead before they retired.  They survived the depression and stormed the beaches of Normandy.  Subsequent generations survived disco and puked on the beaches of Daytona.

The baby boomers enjoyed the benefits of traditional retirement, the economic expansion of the US economy, and controlled the election of politicians (D's and R's) that kept taxes relatively low an loopholy, spent more than was brought in, and allowed corporations to profit in the absence of productivity.  They supported crooked bankers that should have failed, and projected the costs and residues of the demise forward 20 years.

Yeah, YOU Geezer!   Us under 50's can't cover your expenses!

That long diatribe is just me venting.  Current generations of old people have the stuff, have the entitlements, and they will never give it up.  Because they vote, politicians won't even think about adjusting the spoils of the 60+ set.

Funny also is that those opposed to government sponsored health care will accept medicare and those opposed to big government financial intervention sure will cash that Social Security check.

Everyone currently under 50 is screwed.

So understanding that the boomers have theirs, why can't we change the idea of the senior discount?  Maybe extend the free cup of coffee, a free fishing license or early bird special to those of us between 30 and 60?  Maybe we could sock that cash away and have a little something for later.

Maybe there is a little silver lining for those of us that are planning carefully.  The silver set doesn't realize one thing... who the heck is going to buy their homes and their stuff?  When they are ready to liquidate there will be fewer people to buy, and those that are there will have minimal cash to throw around, especially on luxury items. We have no Social Security, remember?

Maybe that's what I have to feel good about.  I might be able to buy some old dude's boat and summer home for a fraction of what they want for it.  Touche!