Let's say you have 3 people: one who makes 50K, another 125K, and a third who makes 250K. Let's also assume SS tax of 7% on first $125K. The first pays $3500 p

Let's say you have 3 people: one who makes 50K, another 125K, and a third who makes 250K. Let's also assume SS tax of 7% on first $125K. The first pays $3500 per year in SS tax, the second pays $8750, and the third $8750. But each one gets the same SS benefit (assuming same number of working quarters and lifespan). You are right about tax rates, but those rates don't affect the benefit. The article makes the point that lifespans are not equal, which tilts the SS program in the regressive direction. But (unless I misread the numbers), SS is still a progressive system overall.