The evidence behind putting money directly in the pockets of the poor

Re:The evidence behind putting money directly in the pockets... by burlesona on Wednesday May 20, 2020 @01:52AM (#23243677)

Technically Social Security doesn't go to all Americans. You have to work a minimum amount (and therefore pay a minimum amount in) to qualify. It's also possible to opt-out of social security, although it's not trivial to do so (IIRC you do this by claiming a conscientious objector status or something like that).

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Re:The evidence behind putting money directly in the pockets... by jxramos on Wednesday May 20, 2020 @02:43AM (#23243960)

I thought I read at some point that several decades in the past there was a period when you could opt out of Social Security and put retirement in one's own hands.

I always wanted to look up that history for when that forked path was allowed and when it was eliminated and why. The author of the piece I read mentioned how he earned much better returns with the money he otherwise would have had he put it into social security and was thankful he took the more "risky" route.

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Re:The evidence behind putting money directly in the pockets... by MattGaiser on Wednesday May 20, 2020 @02:15AM (#23243810)

At least one way is to get a religious exemption.

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/020315/there-any-wa...

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Re:The evidence behind putting money directly in the pockets... by gvjddbnvdrbv on Wednesday May 20, 2020 @01:57AM (#23243698)

Hang on is social security tied to the draft?

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Re:The evidence behind putting money directly in the pockets... by JoshTriplett on Wednesday May 20, 2020 @02:18AM (#23243824)

No, there's a religion-based opt-out for religions that object to government support. But it only applies to income from the church (such as to ministers).

There are a few other narrow cases as well, such as student workers and certain government jobs.

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