East Wind, and most income-sharing communities, are 501c6 non-profits, which are organized like a monastery. They pay income tax on the community's income, whi

East Wind, and most income-sharing communities, are 501c6 non-profits, which are organized like a monastery. They pay income tax on the community's income, which is evenly distributed (for taxation purposes, not as actual outlays) to each member, but is not considered wage income, and thus isn't Social Security income. Since people's taxed 501c6 income generally doesn't require Social Security payments, it's possible to not be eligible for SS at retirement age, but many people worked enough quarters before joining a community, and their SS benefits are contributed as income to the community when they retire.