Social Security

Taxing the Elderly

Social Security benefits were entirely free of taxes until 1983, when Congress voted to tax 50 percent of benefits above a certain income level. President Clinton raised this to 85 percent in 1993. Th…
Should 85 Percent of Social Security Benefits Be Taxed?

President Clinton proposes to increase the tax on Social Security benefits. Although the administration calls this an "entitlement spending reduction," what it proposes is a tax that will fall primari…
The Immigration Solution

Before the end of this decade, Social Security and Medicare will begin paying out more in benefits than the payroll tax (FICA) collects in revenues. As a result, taxes will have to rise. According to…
Should 85 Percent of Social Security Benefits Be Taxed?

The elderly pay income taxes on up to one-half of their Social Security benefits if their total income exceeds $25,000 (individual) or $32,000 (couples).  They pay taxes on 50 cents of benefits for ea…
Paying People Not To Work: The Economic Cost Of The Social Security Retirement Earnings Limit

America is known throughout the world as the land of opportunity - a place where people can work hard and freely use their talents and abilities to make a better life for themselves and their children…
Private Alternatives to Social Security in Other Countries

The social security systems of nearly all developed countries and many less developed countries face a severe financial crisis as we move into the 21st century.
Social Security and Race

Black and White workers earning the same wages pay identical Social Security taxes. Yet because their higher mortality rates, black workers will receive far less in Social Security benefits then their…
Social Security: Who Gains? Who Loses?

When the baby boom generation retires and looks to a much smaller working populationto pay its benefits, Social Security will face a finalcial crisis of alarming magnitude. This will occur sometime in…