Social Security Outlays
What portion of all federal government outlays are spent on Social Security?
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In 2023, Social Security outlays were $1.4 trillion, or about 22% of all federal outlays, more than any other program. Some claim that Social Security is "not government spending" because it "saves" people's money and returns it to them. In reality, Social Security is not a savings plan but a social program that provides benefits to the aged and disabled mainly by taxing people who are currently working. Contrary to common myths, Social Security was structured that way from the very start, and the program hasn't been "looted" but has been continually boosted through higher taxes on each generation of American workers.
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