MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

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  Jack Bauer

  It's reached the point of either 'make it' or 'break it'....without the overhaul of the social security system, the day that there won't be enough money to pay for pensions, is not far off.

  Nov 01st, 2016 - 04:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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  bushpilot

  How much you want to bet this “overhaul” means the working guy loses big time?
  
  How much you want to bet that the politicians who pillaged Brazil's finances and lead to this dire need to “overhaul” the social security system, won't have to sacrifice one dime of their security system?

  Nov 02nd, 2016 - 01:28 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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  Jack Bauer

  “How much you want to bet this “overhaul” means the working guy loses big time?”
  
  Don't agree, and will tell you why : currently the social security system is totally unfair, in that public servants retire on full pay while those in the private sector have a cap on what they can expect to receive ; all contributions, from both categories, go in to a common coffer, and are meant to be distributed - when the time comes - according to age and time of contribution, and that's where the problem starts. Stats of 10 yrs ago, while obviously not 100% accurate nowadays, still confirm the current trend ; The total work force (officially registered and paying their dues), was around 60 million - 50 million in the private sector and 10 million in the public sector, but the workers in the private sector received 40% of the cake, while the workers in the public sector, although only representing 20% of the work force, took home 60% of the cake. As such, the public sector is responsible for about 80% of the yearly deficit in the system (usd 40 billion in 2015), which means they're being subsidized by the private sector, a problem that needs addressing. Previously, people didn't live as long as they do today, so the system does not foresee paying pensions for 20 years, on average, after retirement ; Another problem, with Brazil's successive crises, and increasing unemployment, more people get drawn into the informal market and despite no longer contributing, still maintain certain rights. Then you get the frauds, draining the system - they've just discovered that 80% of pensions paid for incapacitation, are fraudulent. Not to mention the tens of thousands of dead people still getting paid ; Under the present system, the only certainty is that the money will run out soon and no-one will get a cent.
  As to politicians, must agree - they'll always legislate in their own benefit and will do whatever it takes to ensure they lose nothing. It's up to us to stop them.

  Nov 02nd, 2016 - 08:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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  :o))

  So ultimately who pays for the crimes of the politicians; are the poor and already suffering masses.

  Nov 03rd, 2016 - 02:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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  Jack Bauer

  Exactly....but if you expect to be able to retire one day, AND receive your well-deserved pension, you'd better hope the system is overhauled...

  Nov 03rd, 2016 - 05:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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  :o))

  Multi-billions were and are being stolen due to the political crimes ever since the independence [and prior to that]. If ALL this loot is made to return - forcibly - the Cost of Living as well as the Quality of Life of the masses can be improved drastically / substantially. Till THAT happens:
  - The Cunhas, the Malufs, the Collors, the Lulas, the Sarnes, etc, etc, etc. will go scot-free.
  - The ONLY way for the victimized masses to survive; is by tightening their belts - year after year.

  Nov 03rd, 2016 - 08:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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  Jack Bauer

  @ :o))
  “If ALL this loot is made to return ........”
  
  “IF” is the key word.....I don't think that even a small fraction of it will be repatriated. According to estimates of a UK based organization, Tax Justic Network, what was sent illegally out of the country in 2010 alone, was the equivalent of USD 280 billion, or USD 23 billion per month.....While it is safe to presume that this evasion existed well before 2010, and has carried on since, we can say with a high degree of accuracy, that Brazilians hold well over USD 1 trillion abroad. One of the commonly cited reasons for this evasion is the fact that Brazil's taxes are ridiculously high - with little or no return - but it seems it may have peaked during the last year of Lula's second term, for two reasons ; first, tax evasion pure and simple ; second, thanks to the organized crime installed in the Federal government, especially since the PT took over.
  Another estimate, probably referring to a “normal” year, puts evasion and corruption, at just over 8% of the GNP, which at its height would be USD 130 billion a year. So if the Government is comemorating the fact they managed to get back USD 49 billion, there is not much to rejoice about.

  Nov 06th, 2016 - 07:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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