Perhaps John McCain only gets a measly allowance from his $6 million dollar wife and that’s why he must also get one from the federal government:
Republican presidential candidate John McCain cashes his monthly Social Security checks despite calling the federal program “a disgrace,” the Associated Press reports.
“I’m receiving benefits,” McCain told campaign reporters, but added, “the system is broken.”
In 2007, he received benefits of $23,157 from Social Security, approximately $1,930 a month. The maximum monthly benefit under Social Security is $2,185. Social Security benefits are determined by age at retirement.
McCain, who is 71, has received benefits since he was 65.
Last week, McCain told observers at a town-hall meeting in Portsmouth, Ohio, “Americans have got to understand that we are paying present-day retirees with the taxes paid by young workers … and that’s a disgrace.”
B.J. Jarrett from the Social Security Administration said that individuals can refuse retirement benefits.
In 2006, McCain’s wife Cindy earned $6 million, and has a net worth of approximately $100 million.
I actually don’t have a problem with this. SS is by design a somewhat egalitarian system–you pay in, and you get your benefits. I don’t think there should be a “means test” for SS benefits.
That said, I DO think we should consider a higher level of income for SS tax.
Typical ignorant response. If someone has put into Social Security and is entitled to it, that is their money. Stop trying to steal people’s benefits. He put the money in–YOU didn’t.
He’s still drawing a salary and he’s getting social security? Wow – the system really is broken!
Plus, he gets his Senate salary, a mere $169,300 per year.
[...] Mary Mancini discusses the candidate’s receipt of Social Security benefit despite his public statements bemoaning the system as “broken.” [...]