I have the same question about SS “benefits”. As I see it, for those who have paid into the system most of their adult working lives, it is an account payable for government. It is not a government benefit.
For the purposes of this conversation, I would generally agree - however it is not strictly correct. The government has no specific legal obligation to make a specific level of payment. Congress decides what the payment level and the contribution will be, as entirely separate acts.
That is correct. The payments are set by law. And the law can and will likely be changed. The law also governs how many government deadheads are on the payroll at any given time. That too, can and likely will be changed.
It’s all a matter of priorities.
The devil is always in the details. SS started of as strictly “voluntary”, 1% of the first $1,400, tax deductible,etc, etc. So, ref. your comment, it IS a Ponzi scheme run by our government.