Getting Divorced: Banking On It?
Ron Bednar married his wife because, as he puts it, “I believe in the whole act of marriage, to declare that we are married in front of friends and family and God and all that.”
Now he’s getting divorced, as his soon-to-be ex-wife explains, “In order to be able to eat.”
Bednar, 64, and Mary McCurnin, 59, aren’t the first couple to get divorced because each can collect more government benefits single than married. But when their story appeared in The Huffington Post, it set off a debate about marriage versus money, and whether it’s ethical to end the former simply to increase the latter, while still staying together.
Husband and wife say their vow of “Til death do us part” was torn asunder by health problems and medical bills, including her breast cancer and his intestinal bleeding, for which insurance covered only 10%. Her cancer’s return, plus heart surgery for him, set them on a path of repeat home refinancing, and now bankruptcy and divorce. “We literally live from week to week,” says McCurnin. “We got $300 in the bank.”
Because her first husband is deceased, McCurnin is eligible for $1,200 a month in Social Security survivor’s benefits—if she divorces Bednar. “She could divorce him now to collect short-term benefits on her earlier husband,” says a Social Security spokesman, “and then at some later point after age 60 remarry him without it affecting her widow’s benefits.”
“I agree that marriage is overrated and that if they want to game the system, it’s fine for them to find the loopholes,” wrote one reader. “Game the system???” responded another. “Did you not read the part where they went broke trying to save their own lives?”
“Marriage seems to be no more than a Govt Program,” another reader wrote. “If there’s a benefit, marry. If there’s no benefit, unmarry.” The situation has “nothing to do with marriage,” countered another. “This has to do with 2 people who did not plan for retirement, health care, or save during their 65 years. And now have found a loop hole for the Govt to cover them.”
Tell us what you think: Is it ethical to divorce solely to collect government benefits? In this case, is the couple “gaming the system” or finding an alternate way to grow old together?
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Divorcing for Goverment Benifits
This is how I look at the Marriage factor and US Government. My wife and I work professionally and earn a middle class main street American income. When we look at the taxation of the social security that we both pay in but due to our marriage can only get a return of 66% of our investment if any by the time we retire what would you do?We ask this question when you look around us and realize that our government’s debt is almost 68% owned by other foreign entities (mainly China)and big bank bailouts and the phrase to big to fail, yes play the game. Our society does not support marriage unity and is not rewarded for being honest and raising a family. We just keep getting penalized for doing the right thing and not crossing the line of deception or integrity. Yes ,play the game .
William Draga | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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ngan hang
Oh very money
ngan hang | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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http://nganhangonline.com
Do you think that ?
chieuhado | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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It begs the question...
What is the real role of government? In this country, government is supposed to be “of the people, by the people, for the people”. Should the role of those that govern be to make frivolous laws that protect small groups with special interests such as insurance and pharmaceutical companies, or should they work more deligently to ensure “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” for the common person? I think the latter and as such people should not be penalized for illness or injury.
This is the only first world nation that does not have universal health coverage. Yet, we the people are more than willing to pay exorbitant amounts of taxes to bail out banks and car companies. Unfortunately, in this country, millions of people die because they cannot afford to stay alive. So what is really the morally ‘right thing to do’?
I, for one, think that human life should be the first ultimate priority of government.
Ken Borucki | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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Mechanic
Is it possible that we have evolved to the point where women are neither given nor taken in marriage or is this an antiquated idea? Why answer a question with a question? Because maybe it is relevant to what is happening around us. Change can be a shock to the system, but is that really a shock but more a confirmation of what is inevitable? Far too many questions than answers. When it comes right down to it being married is a noble idea that may have more to do with being able to afford it than just wanting to do the right thing. If we could all do the right thing without being penalized in any way than we would all be better off. But alas maybe the right thing is out of our reach finally and once and for all. Your friend Ron F.
Ron Foss | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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Gaming the system
When anyone plans their life to maximize benefits from any government – federal, state, local – she is simply gaming the system. It’s an old American sport, growing more popular as the nation ages. People don’t even feel guilty about it now.
Could we plan for emergencies and bad times? Sure, but then we’d have to add to those savings our monthly payments on the Lexus.
Our new motto is: “I’m getting mine!!”
Jack Coupal | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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nurse
This is a crazy thing to say. But the more you play by the rules the more you get penalized.
S Hokenson | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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mom
Wow. I am really sadden by the whole question. How much lower will we sink or feel forced to sink in the name of survival? Morality, ethics, tradition, family values, and yes the “L” word-Love, have really taken a tough blow now a days. Is money the only thing worth living for, the only means of survival? I am married with four children and I don’t know what kind of world I am bringing them up in. Wow.
RRR | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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Government Benefits v. Marriage
You’re all correct. It’s sad what has happened morally in this country that people marry and un-marry to get benefits. Social Security funds have been stolen by the government every year for decades so no wonder its funding is in danger. Granting Social Security benefits to those who are able-bodied but never worked to pay into the fund is another drain. I think to resolve the marriage/benefits problem, Social Security should give benefits for widows regardless of age, period. I was married 20 years and I darn well earned that money before he died. Jobs can no longer be assumed to be there from year to year so how can people plan for health insurance provided by an employer? Insurance is about $1,400 per person for 80% of what the company thinks should be charged. Surprise! You pay more than 20%. Doing the right thing defines your choices but no person can watch their child go without food or shelter without acting. And I don’t mean they drive a Lexus. Just look at the lines for the food bank.
Kathleen Overton | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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Define "benefits"...
Respectfully regarding this comment: “It’s sad what has happened morally in this country that people marry and un-marry to get benefits.”
Benefits: Is there any other reason?
I’m not suggesting that “money” is the only reason to make (or break) your word to another party, but doesn’t every divorce amount to a change in benefits? He wants to be able to go out with his friends late at night. She wants a husband who works less. Or one who works more. He wants to sleep with someone else. She doesn’t want to have to compromise. He wants to avoid apologizing… so he can keep his pride… and not have to forgive…
It’s pretty hard to criticize this couple when so many of us are made of the same stuff—just different shades of the same color.
Meanwhile, I’d sure like to see someone offer to help this couple survive. Maybe let them move in, share a home, so these two people don’t have to take such drastic measures to have enough income to afford shelter and food…? Yeah, let’s be part of the solution.
KR Phillips | 3 months, 1 week ago
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