egalitarian - asserting, resulting from, or characterized by beilef in the equality of all people, esp. in political, economic, or social life
www.dictionary.reference.com
pension - an allowance, annuity, or subsidy
www.dictionary.reference.com
income - the monetary payment received for goods or services, or from other sources, as rents or investments
www.dictionary.reference.com
The elderly receive a fairly nice amount of government assistance. "The egalitarian view of government is that it taxes persons with annual income more than $40,000, and pays benefits to persons with less than $40,000, so that those with less than average incomes could enjoy living standards closer to the average." The government actually does the opposite and most of the money goes to the elderly because of Social Security, Medicare, and government employee retirement. These funds are paid to senior citizens who are 62 years old and over. Annual Medicare spending is $12,000 per person for those who are 65 and older. Also, annual Social Security and government employee retirement expenses are $21,000 per person who are 62 and older. Elderly average living standards exceed $40,000 making them exceed the living standards of the average American.
* Now that I think about it I think this is unfair, but I guess that's just the way the government works. Maybe we'll be able to understand why the elderly exceeds living standards of the average American when we are considered an elderly. We're not able to see it their way because we are not considered the elderly, so when we get that age and are finally in their shoes we can understand it.
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/24/are-we-overpaying-grandpa/
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Interesting article. Be sure to provide your predictions. What is the future of Medicare and Social Security? Some analysts say these programs have to be reformed now, or they won't even be around for us when we are retired.
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