Social Security's Era of 'Free Money' Comes to an End

People retiring today are part of the first generation of workers who have paid more in Social Security taxes during their careers than they will receive in benefits after they retire. It’s a historic shift that will only get worse for future retirees, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.

Previous generations got a much better bargain, mainly because payroll taxes were very low when Social Security was enacted in the 1930s and remained so for decades.

‘‘For the early generations, it was an incredibly good deal,’’ said Andrew Biggs, a former deputy Social Security commissioner who is now a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. ‘‘The government gave you free money and getting free money is popular.’’

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