[JAKraig]

I will have paid in to Social Security when I was working and then pay Social Security taxes on the dividends when I am not.
You don't pay SS taxes on dividends.

Not yet you mean!

[kabar]

True enough. Congress has been changing the rules and moving the goal posts on SS ever since its inception. The cap on the contribution and benefit base has been raised every year. In 2000, the cap was $76,200. In 2006, it is $94,200. The tax rate, combined employee and employer contribution, was only 2% in 1949, 3% in 1960, and 15.3% (12.4% for SS) today.

In 1950, there were 16 workers paying Social Security taxes for every retired person receiving benefits. Today there are 3.3. By 2030, there will be only 2.

Nearly 80% of Americans pay more in Social Security taxes than they do in federal income tax.

48 million Americans receive Social Security benefits, including 33 million retirees, 7 million survivors, and 8 million disabled workers.