This isn't as true as you think it is. Social security is often a lot, lot better in the US than Europe. Take the UK: UK unemployment 'benefits' are around $1

This isn't as true as you think it is. Social security is often a lot, lot better in the US than Europe. Take the UK: UK unemployment 'benefits' are around $100/week regardless of previous salary (so low compared to housing costs in many areas that it is almost pointless). US state unemployment benefits tend to be a lot higher than that. UK pensions are low - around $10,000/yr, again regardless of salary. US Social Security pensions are vastly higher.