Means testing of benefits is not politically do able.
More over, income is dynamic, and it would be an expense, to government, to grant and take away benefits each year, based on income.
(Oh, one exception: We DO means test Medicare, to some small extent, not everyone pays the same premiums. Expect Part B premiums to become even more expensive, for those who are not in poverty. But this is easier to do, since most "premiums" are already deducted from SS checks, which is an easy way to "means test" Medicare by reducing SS benefits) You are contradicting yourself and you don't even realize your contradictions.
YES, these programs are not sustainable -— and changes in the programs, themselves, is therefore REQUIRED!
The easiest way to make a very quick change is to say that “nobody earning less than $25,000 will be taxed on their Social Security” WITHOUT TELLING PEOPLE HOW THE FORMULA REALLY WORKS!
It is the complicated formula, itself, for taxing benefits, which pretty much guarantees that the taxable amount will go up, since nobody seems to understand current law, anyway. The tax system will be our government's method to "means test" Social Security. Count on it, it is going to happen.
We reduced benefits in 1983 and raised taxes. When you raise the retirement age, you reduce benefits. When you tax benefits, you reduce benefits.
Means testing of benefits is not politically do able.
The computation for SS benefits is already weighted to help those who are at the bottom of the economic ladder. Medicare B charges different premiums depending upon income. We are headed towards means testing of entitlements. The graduated income tax is another example of redistribution of income. Of course means testing is doable and probably more politically palatable given the growing number of people who don't pay income tax. Their vote counts as much as those who are wealthy.
But this is easier to do, since most "premiums" are already deducted from SS checks, which is an easy way to "means test" Medicare by reducing SS benefits
LOL. That makes no sense at all.
The easiest way to make a very quick change is to say that “nobody earning less than $25,000 will be taxed on their Social Security” WITHOUT TELLING PEOPLE HOW THE FORMULA REALLY WORKS!
The information is already available publicly. When does the individual become accountable and responsible for being informed? This is the same kind of liberal crap that blamed the mortgage lenders for people who took out subprime loans and couldn't make their mortgage payments.
Most people have no understanding of SS and how it works. Mindless people prattle on about lock boxes and bankrupt trust funds, which are not the reason why SS is going bankrupt. We get the government we deserve.