JohninKS, thank you for that last posting.

From what I know from my relative's experience, there is SSI(?) for people of retirement age who are at poverty level due to no retirement monies and/or not enough paid into the system for SS benefits. The feds provide a small monthly amount and, in Colorado, the state also kicks in a small amount. Senior citizens on such also qualify for food stamps. It's the only thing I may qualify when I "come of age" as long as our income is very low by then. Such a rosy picture. Sure hope my books sell well when I get them out!