McCain gets Social Security but criticizes system

Snipets from Associated Press:

Asked last week by a young woman at a town-hall meeting in Portsmouth, Ohio, if she is likely to receive Social Security benefits one day, McCain said it is unlikely without fixing the system.

"Americans have got to understand that we are paying present-day retirees with the taxes paid by young workers in America today," he said. "And that's a disgrace. It's an absolute disgrace, and it's got to be fixed."

McCain's 2007 tax return shows Social Security benefits of $23,157 for the year, an average of $1,929.75 a month.

McCain reported a total income of $405,409 in 2007. As a senator, he is paid $169,300 a year.

People are not required to take Social Security payments, according to B.J. Jarrett, a spokesman with the Social Security Administration.

"An individual does have the right to refuse his/her Social Security retirement benefit. However, Social Security is an entitlement program and an individual would essentially be forfeiting a benefit based upon contributions during his/her working lifetime," Jarrett said.


Source:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080717/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_social_security;_ylt=AiRffG5IjQAJh5NE3eLRZI0DW7oF