The Savings to Social Security from Means Testing = Higher Costs

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The Taxable Earnings Base Over Time

The portion of Social Security covered earnings that are subject to the payroll tax has fluctuated over time (Figure 1). When the program began in 1937, taxable earnings represented 92% of covered earnings (Table A-1).

By 1965, this ratio had dropped to its low of 71%. Prior to 1972, the taxable earnings base was updated periodically by Congress, which contributed to its dramatic
fluctuations in the 1950s and 1960s.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:GbSbSfBDtO4J:aging.senate.gov/crs/ss9.pdf+social+security+percent+of+earnings+below+the+cap+1940+1950&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjg9dYnJjkGw6ylDGo44uRMcOv_fBsY-ZXcWjNnA427UZYVFpLlFFJzkTR0n-FRNkMaxA8hAzzFzAn6GuLbz674mjFy2tOEyqVIqaotaeCK50h7KXRFgoKuO36_SMSb5Lb40lTF&sig=AHIEtbTbEIX43tWEm5Pm21m1PeqvbGtyew