Thinkstock
Re: “Social Security should be a safety net, not a gravy train,” Sept. 30 Robert J. Samuelson column.
Robert J. Samuelson reasonably points at an apparent inequity in Social Security benefits that provides an advantage to the more affluent recipients. His insightful analysis, as he probably knows, ignores IRS rules that apply income taxes to up to 85 percent of benefit payments for higher earners under a progressive tax formula that assesses taxes at a higher rate on bigger incomes. In essence, the government gives to all beneficiaries with one hand and takes back from the well-to-do with the other, thereby leveling the benefit.
When you hear someone calling for a “means test” for Social Security, remind them there is an existing method to reduce the benefits to higher-income people and it may be more fair (albeit not perfectly fair) than they think.
Jack Green, Denver
This letter was published in the Oct. 9 edition.
Submit a letter to the editor via this form or check out our guidelines for how to submit by e-mail or mail.
