The Moralist: Combating Senior Selfishness and Other Social Security Conundrums

With senior citizens in effect stealing money from today's younger workers in order to pay for their early bird dinners and other retirement luxuries, is it ethical to 'loot grandma's purse' and take some of that money back? And an ethical objection to the ultra-liberal AARP arrives from the grave.

The Swift Report moralist helps untangle today's moral and ethical conundrums

Dear Mr. Moralist: I recently visited my grandmother in Boca Raton, FL and was shocked at how high on the hog she lives: early bird dinners, matinees at least once a week, and that Crown Victoria isn't exactly fuel efficient. What got me is that Gammy is essentially stealing from me, since it's my payroll taxes that go to fund her lavish lifestyle. I figure that since I started working 5 years ago, I've 'donated' roughly $20,000 to pay for people who refuse to work. Given the unfairness of the system, am I entitled to 'take that money' back by helping myself to cash and furnishings from Gammy's condo?

Signed, Good Grandson

When Moses handed down the 10 commandments that would go on to form the basis of our legal system, the tablet should have included the edict 'thou shalt not have to subsidize thy grandparents' gold-plated retirement.' That said, before you resort to Mosaic Law to remedy this situation, why not try reasoning with your grandmother? Encourage her to relocate to a less expensive property (prefabricated homes and trailers located inland command far lower prices than costly coastal regions like Boca). You might also suggest that she trade in the Crown Vic for a motorized scooter, and forego the matinees in favor of TV at a friend's house. And cooking at home is almost always more economical than eating out—even at 4:30 pm. Suggest that she let you invest the extra shekels in your own personal retirement account. If she's worried about getting by on her new, more realistic income, encourage her to try gambling to boost her bank balance—many seniors find playing the slots relaxing as well as profitable.

UPDATE: 'Good Grandson's' suggestions that his grandmother implement a series of smart cost-cutting measures were met with a handbag to the head. Forced to resort to Mosaic Law, he removed roughly $20,000 worth of cash and furnishings from her condo. The good news: 'Gammy' didn't notice a thing.

Dear Mr. Moralist: My mother passed away last year and left a generous bequest to the AARP. But her decision to make the donation was made before she knew that the AARP is anti-military and pro gay marriage, both positions that my mother was opposed to. May I seize the ethical high ground here by challenging the terms of her will, then investing the refunded bequest in a personal retirement account?

Signed, Dutiful Daughter

While your desire to abide by your mother's wishes is certainly admirable, it is important that you respect her intent, even as you attempt to remedy the situation. Thus, while your mother would no doubt approve of your decision to remove her bequest from an ultra-liberal organization whose agenda she would oppose—were she still among the living—she did intend for part of her fortune to be donated. Instead of using the money for your own investments, why not make a new bequest to an organization with a mission your mother COULD stand behind: USA Next. Her gift to a senior's group that supports the military and opposes gay marriage would have the added benefit of diversifying that worthy organization's funding base. USA Next currently relies almost entirely on the generous support of the pharmaceutical industry.

UPDATE: 'Dutiful daughter' successfully sued the AARP and recovered her mother's $50,000 charitable donation. She then donated $35,000 to USA Next and invested the remainder in a personal retirement account.

The Moralist, written by morality expert Howard Ogilvie, is a regular feature of the Swift Report. To send a question to Mr. Moralist, write to howardogilvie@yahoo.com

Send this page by entering the recipient's e-mail: