Latest News
Dealing With a Social Security Myth…The Claim that Too Many Get Unearned Benefits
You’ve probably heard the comment, or perhaps seen it on a social media site…Social Security would be in better shape if people who haven’t contributed would stop getting benefits (or some version of the same argument). As discussed in a post by retired SSA official Tom Margenau, this claim is usually voiced by critics unaware of how the program actually works or the social insurance intentions designed into the system. The argument is typically aimed at spouses and dependents drawing benefits via the work record of an eligible claimant, a situation clearly aligned with Social Security’s philosophy.
Margenau begins his post with this: There isn’t a single soul getting a Social Security check who hasn’t worked and paid into the system or who isn’t a spouse or child of someone who has worked and paid into the system.” He further explains the fallacy in this criticism in that many of the folks drawing spousal benefits have also worked and have built a record of tax contributions, but become eligible for additional benefits due to the program;s “dual entitlement” rules.
Read Margenau’s tucson.com post here. If the facts presented in the post lead to any further questions, know that the AMAC Foundation offers a free-to-the public Social Security Advisory Service that can help clarify issues for you. Learn more about this service and how to access it here.
This posting is presented for informational purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. Any opinions or interpretations presented are either those of the original author or, in the case of articles authored by the AMAC Foundation, are the opinions of AMAC Foundation staff, originally trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA) and certified via the AMAC Foundation. Any links included in the article are valid on the posted date; socialsecurityreport.org cannot guarantee the duration of the links’ validity. NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (https://amacfoundation.org/services/) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org. Because we are a non-profit organization, there is no charge for these services.