Do rich people still get Social Security?

Yes, rich people absolutely can get Social Security benefits if they've paid into the system through payroll taxes, as eligibility isn't based on wealth but on work history and earnings, though their benefits are capped, meaning billionaires receive similar maximum amounts to high-income earners, not vastly more, and some even pay taxes on their benefits.

Do high earners still get Social Security?

Yes, high earners absolutely get Social Security benefits, as eligibility isn't based on wealth but on lifetime earnings and paying Social Security taxes, though their benefit replaces a smaller percentage of their pre-retirement income compared to lower earners. High earners pay Social Security taxes on earnings up to a certain limit (the taxable maximum, which was $184,500 in 2026). While they receive benefits, their higher earnings history often means they get a lower proportion of their previous salary, but they can still receive substantial monthly payments, especially if they maximize benefits by waiting until their Full Retirement Age (FRA) or even age 70, says Vanguard and Merrill Lynch. 

Do you still get Social Security if you're rich?

Yes, rich people get Social Security benefits, just like most Americans who have worked and paid Social Security taxes, but their large incomes often qualify them for the maximum benefit, and they typically don't rely on it as their primary income source. Eligibility hinges on age (62+) and a qualifying work history (10 years), not wealth, with benefits calculated from their 35 highest earning years, meaning billionaires can receive substantial monthly payments, often the maximum allowed. 

Does Oprah Winfrey collect Social Security?

Whether Oprah actually collects Social Security is unknown since she hasn't made that information public. But if she does, her check wouldn't be dramatically larger than what high-earning professionals receive. The system caps out at around $5,000 per month regardless of how wealthy you are.

What does Dave Ramsey say about Social Security?

Dave Ramsey views Social Security as a supplement, not a primary retirement income, emphasizing that relying on it is a "dumb" idea; he advocates for claiming benefits as early as 62 if you're debt-free to invest the money for potentially higher returns, while also warning about potential future cuts due to trust fund depletion and urging strong reliance on 401(k)s and IRAs. 

How the Super Rich Are Killing Social Security | Robert Reich

What does Warren Buffett say about Social Security?

Warren Buffett's core message on Social Security is that cutting benefits is a major mistake, as a rich country must care for its elderly, but he acknowledges the system's financial challenges and suggests solutions like raising the taxable income cap for Social Security taxes, slightly increasing the payroll tax, and gradually raising the retirement age, urging Congress to act before trust fund insolvency forces drastic cuts. He sees Social Security as a vital, successful government program that needs responsible adjustments, not benefit reductions. 

Can I retire at 62 with $400,000 in 401k?

You can retire at 62 with $400k if you can live off $30,200 annually, not including Social Security Benefits, which you are eligible for now or later.

Do presidents collect Social Security?

Yes, former U.S. Presidents can collect Social Security benefits, just like other citizens, if they earned enough work credits, and several, like Joe Biden,, do; however, their substantial pensions from the Former Presidents Act (equal to a Cabinet Secretary's salary) and potential other government pensions often dwarf their Social Security checks. Presidents and Vice Presidents have paid into Social Security since 1984, making them eligible for benefits based on their entire work history, not just their time in office. 

Who is richer, Oprah or Taylor Swift?

Oprah Winfrey is significantly richer than Taylor Swift, with Oprah's net worth around $3.1 billion compared to Taylor Swift's $1.6 billion, according to Forbes' 2025 lists, making Oprah the top-ranked wealthy female entertainer, while Swift is the richest female musician and a billionaire herself.
 

How long did it take Oprah to lose 67 pounds?

My 67-Pound Weight Loss (1988)

For four solid months, I didn't eat a single morsel of food. When I started Optifast in July 1988, I was at 212 pounds. By fall, I weighed 145 pounds. Wearing my size 10 jeans, I pulled a wagon full of fat—representing the 67 pounds I'd dropped—onto the stage.

How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in Social Security?

To get around $3,000/month in Social Security, you generally need a high earning history, around $100,000-$108,000+ annually over your top 35 years, but waiting to claim until age 70 maximizes this amount, potentially reaching it with lower yearly earnings, say under $70k if you wait long enough, as benefits are based on your highest indexed earnings over 35 years. The exact amount depends heavily on your specific earnings history and the age you start collecting benefits. 

What do 90% of millionaires have in common?

The famed wealthy entrepreneur Andrew Carnegie famously said more than a century ago, “Ninety percent of all millionaires become so through owning real estate. More money has been made in real estate than in all industrial investments combined.

Should you delay Social Security if you're wealthy?

No high income W-2 earner should consider taking Social Security until Full Retirement Age (FRA), 67-years-old for all born in 1960 or later. As the Social Security Administration so thoughtfully notes: “If you are younger than FRA and earn more than the yearly earnings limit, we may reduce your benefit amount.

Can I retire at 70 with $400,000?

Yes, you can retire at 70 with $400k, but whether it's comfortable depends heavily on your lifestyle, expenses, other income (like Social Security), and investment strategy; it allows for a modest income, maybe $20k-$30k/year plus Social Security, but requires careful budgeting, potentially an annuity for guaranteed income, and managing inflation and healthcare costs, notes SmartAsset.com and CBS News. A $400k nest egg could offer around $12k-$16k annually via a 3-4% withdrawal, supplemented by Social Security, making it tight but feasible with frugality and smart planning, according to SmartAsset.com and Yahoo! Finance. 

Is the Windfall Act going away?

What is the Social Security Fairness Act (Act) and who does it help? The Act was signed into law on January 5, 2025. The Act ends the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).

How much Social Security will I get if I make $60,000 a year?

If you consistently earn around $60,000 annually over your career, you can expect a monthly Social Security benefit of roughly $2,100 to $2,300 at your full retirement age (FRA), but the exact amount varies by your birth year and claiming age; for instance, at FRA, it's around $2,311 based on 2025 bend points, while claiming at 62 yields less and claiming at 70 yields more, with an official estimate available on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. 

Who is richer, Kim Kardashian or Taylor Swift?

As of late 2025 reports, Kim Kardashian is slightly richer than Taylor Swift, with Kim's net worth estimated around $1.9 billion compared to Taylor's $1.6 billion, largely due to Kim's Skims business and Taylor's massive Eras Tour success, though both are billionaires. Kim's fortune grew significantly with her shapewear and skincare lines, while Taylor's wealth comes from music, touring, and real estate.
 

Did Oprah donate $10 million to Maui?

When Winfrey and Johnson launched the People's Fund for Maui, which benefitted people who lost their homes in the wildfires, they committed $10 million and asked others to join them. At the time, the request was met with some criticism, given especially Winfrey's wealth and extensive estate in Maui.

Who is the richest female singer ever?

The richest female singer of all time, based on recent reports (late 2024/2025), is Taylor Swift, with a net worth estimated around $1.6 to $2.1 billion, primarily from her music catalog, record-breaking tours (The Eras Tour), and strategic ownership of her work, making her the first musician to become a billionaire solely through music. While artists like Rihanna (billionaire status from Fenty Beauty) and Madonna are also extremely wealthy, Swift's recent financial milestones place her at the top for female musicians.
 

Does the first lady get a salary?

No, the First Lady of the United States does not receive an official salary; it's considered an unpaid "office of honor," but she gets significant perks like living in the White House, security, and staff support, funded by taxpayers. While she doesn't earn a salary, the support office for the First Lady (like staff salaries and operations) is paid for, and she handles her own personal expenses, like clothing, though some First Ladies have maintained outside jobs. 

Did Trump change the Social Security age?

Trump has stated he will not raise the retirement age or cut Social Security benefits. Some Republican-aligned groups support raising the full retirement age, reducing benefits by 5–10% for future retirees. Any change would require congressional approval, not just presidential action.

Who cannot collect Social Security benefits?

People not eligible for Social Security include those who haven't worked enough to earn 40 credits, certain non-citizens, government employees in non-covered jobs (like some state/local/federal workers), retirees living in specific countries (e.g., Cuba, North Korea), and individuals with certain criminal statuses like fleeing prosecution. Ineligibility often stems from not paying into the system or falling under specific exclusion rules, even if some taxes were paid. 

How many Americans have $500,000 in their 401k?

Believe it or not, data from the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances indicates that only 9% of American households have managed to save $500,000 or more for their retirement. This means less than one in ten families have achieved this financial goal.

How long will $750,000 last in retirement at 62?

With careful planning, $750,000 can last 25 to 30 years or more in retirement. Your actual results will depend on how much you spend, how your investments perform, and whether you have other income.