Whose really benefiting from Social Security benefits?

[kestrell]

This Motley Fool article explains how SS has come to benefit the wealthy far more than the average income retirees it was originally intended for
https://www.fool.com/retirement/2018/10/01/donald-trumps-social-security-benefit-is-probably.aspx

As the article mentions, one reason Trump may be reluctant to release his income tax information is that he may be collecting his not-insubstantial Social Security benefits along with that measley White House paycheck.

But remember, this is the man who claims he is saving Social Security from the Democrats
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/09/19/donald-trump-weakening-social-security-medicare-not-saving-column/1340839002/

Comments

[alexxkay]

While I certainly despise Trump, I am wary of anyone whose reasoning is along the lines of "We have to reform this system because the wrong people are being paid". That's the same rhetoric that so often gets aimed at the poor amd disabled that I don't want to encourage it.

Part of why I'm such a big supporter of Universal Basic Income is that it IS (or should be) universal. Let the rich people have it, too, I don't mind, as long as everyone else also gets it. I want to get away from focusing on who is "wrong".

[bibliofile]

Excellent points all.

OTOH, I'm glad to read an article about SS that talks about how it works for specific people -- especially someone as rich as Trump.

[kestrell]

Yes, my main reason for posting that was for the SS explanation.