How old does a dragonfly have to be to collect Social Security? OK, that’s a bit of a crazy question, but collecting Social Security is a sure sign that you are getting old. A couple of weeks ago, I received my first payment from the Social Security Administration, a sure sign that I am officially “old.” Last week I also stopped in a a Metro offices in Washington D.C. to sign up for a senior pass that allows me to ride Metro trains at a reduced rate—one of the few tangible benefits of becoming a senior.
Here in the United States, people are living longer than in the past and it is anticipated that the Social Security Administration will run out of money to pay full benefits in a decade or so of changes are not made. Politicians don’t want to deal with the issue and keep putting off coming up with a solution to the problem.
Comparatively speaking, dragonflies live uncomplicated lives. They hang on for as long as they can and then they die, hopefully after successfully procreating. Last week I spotted this elderly female Great Blue Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula vibrans) at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Her coloration was dark and faded and her wings were tattered, but she was still functioning. After spending a few quiet moments with her, I pushed onward, still lost in my thoughts about life and growing older.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Welcome to the club, Mike. I guess, if we’re comparing our situation to, “hang on for as long as they can and then they die,” it’s a pretty good life.
Thanks, Dan. I can only hope that I can age as gracefully as some of my insect friends do. 🙂
Nice picture. And congrats on aging into SS.
Thanks, John. I held off applying for Social Security, to increase the amount that I would receive. Now my goal is to keep living to be able to collect that higher amount. 🙂