In 1971, President Richard Nixon signed legislation providing a 10% increase in Social Security benefits (and a hike in the payroll tax rates, from 5% of the first $7,800 in wages to 5.15% of the first $9,000). A retiree who would have received $500 a month at the beginning of 1969 would be receiving $759 per month, or 51.8% more, by the end of 1972.
by Sarah Curry
Director of Fiscal Policy Studies