The hero’s journey

~ susie

Oh, look. Social Security paid for Rep. Paul Ryan’s college!

One day as a 16 year old, Ryan came upon the lifeless body of his father. Paul Ryan, Sr. had died of a heart attack at age 55, leaving the Janesville Craig High School 10th grader, his three older brothers and sisters and his mother alone. It was Paul who told the family of his father’s death.

With his father’s passing, young Paul collected Social Security benefits until age 18, which he put away for college. To make ends meet, Paul’s mother returned to school to study interior design. His siblings were off at college. Ryan remembers this difficult time bringing him and his mother closer.

Within months, Paul’s maternal grandmother moved into the house. She suffered from Alzheimer’s, and it often fell on young Paul to care for her, including brushing and braiding her hair. Ryan credits his father’s death and the care of his grandmother as giving him first-hand experience as to how social service programs work.

Huh? It doesn’t have to make sense. Ryan simply makes things up as he goes along, like most Republicans.

Published by susie

3 thoughts on “The hero’s journey”

  1. I thought children who go on to college receive survivor’s SocSec until they are 21? Or is it when they graduate?

    He didn’t get those?

    Or am I wrong? Was that a benefit taken away under the St. Ronnie/Tip O’Neill agreement?

  2. The Hero’s Journey. That is so funny, susie. Carl Jung—genius! Or is it Joseph Campbell?

  3. Dange, that google thing is handy!

    Who can get survivors benefits based on your work?
    •Your widow or widower may be able to receive full benefits at full retirement age. The full retirement age for survivors is age 66 for people born in 1945-1956 and will gradually increase to age 67 for people born in 1962 or later. Reduced widow or widower benefits can be received as early as age 60. If your surviving spouse is disabled, benefits can begin as early as age 50. For more information visit Widows, Widowers & Other Survivors.

    •Your widow or widower can receive benefits at any age if she or he takes care of your child who is receiving Social Security benefits and younger than age 16 or disabled.

    •Your unmarried children who are younger than age 18 (or up to age 19 if they are attending elementary or secondary school full time) also can receive benefits. Your children can get benefits at any age if they were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled. Under certain circumstances, benefits also can be paid to your stepchildren, grandchildren, stepgrandchildren or adopted children.

    •Your dependent parents can receive benefits if they are age 62 or older. (For your parents to qualify as dependents, you would have had to ­provide at least one-half of their support.)

    http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10084.html

    My memory was, well, faulty.

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