 "US President Donald Trump. Reuters")
President Donald Trump on Wednesday alleged in his first address to Congress of his second term that millions of senior citizens over age 100 — including some he maintained were older than 160 — were collecting social security cheques, according to Social Security Administration data.
Trump said that Social Security Administration (SSA) records showed 4.7 million people aged 100 to 109 were receiving cheques. He added that 3.6 million individuals between 110 and 119 years old, 3.47 million between 120 and 129 and 3.9 million between 130 and 139 were also receiving benefits. According to him, 3.5 million people aged 140 to 149, 1.3 million aged 150 to 159 and even 130,000 individuals over 160 years old were still getting cheques.
He also alleged that several hundred people older than 220 were still getting cheques, according to SSA data — and that “one person is listed at 360 of age.”
Understanding social security in the US
Social Security is a government programme in the US that provides financial assistance to people who are retired, disabled or have lost a family member who was working. It is managed by the SSA and is primarily funded through taxes collected from workers and employers. Millions of Americans rely on social security to cover their basic expenses making it one of the most important social programmes in the country.
Who can receive social security benefits?
Social Security provides different types of benefits depending on a person’s work history and financial needs. Retirement benefits are available to those who have worked and paid Social Security taxes for many years. While people can start receiving benefits as early as age 62, waiting until full retirement age—between 66 and 67 depending on the year of birth—results in higher monthly payments. Another category is disability benefits, which are given to individuals who are unable to work due to a serious medical condition. The amount they receive depends on how long they worked and contributed to the system before becoming disabled.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsSurvivor benefits are meant for family members of deceased workers. If someone who paid into Social Security passes away, their spouse, children or dependents may receive financial assistance. This helps families cope with the loss of a loved one’s income. There is also a programme called Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which supports elderly or disabled individuals with very low income, even if they have not worked enough to qualify for regular social security benefits. Unlike other types of social security payments, SSI is funded by general tax revenue rather than payroll taxes.
How social security is funded
Social security is funded through payroll taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (Fica). Every working person in the US contributes 6.2 per cent of their wages to social security and their employer matches that amount. Self-employed individuals must pay the full 12.4 per cent on their own. The money collected goes into a trust fund that is used to pay current beneficiaries. As long as people continue working and paying these taxes, social security remains funded.
Challenges and concerns
Despite being a lifeline for millions, social security faces financial challenges. As the population ages, more people are retiring while fewer younger workers are paying into the system.
There have also been concerns about errors and fraud within the system. In some cases, people continue receiving social security payments even after they have passed away leading to accusations of waste and mismanagement.
Why social security matters
For many Americans, social security is a vital source of income, especially for retirees who do not have other savings. It helps people afford necessities like housing, food and healthcare, reducing poverty among the elderly and disabled. Because of its importance, discussions about how to maintain and improve the system remain a major topic in US politics.