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tested transfer program. Indeed, it is the largest transfer program in the
United States. It transfers income from working families to retired families.
Given that retired families are, on average, wealthier than working
families, Social Security is a somewhat regressive program. Other nonmeans tested transfer programs include Medicare, unemployment
compensation, and programs that aid farmers.
Figure 15.4 "Federal Transfer Payment Spending" shows federal spending
on means-tested and non-means-tested programs as a percentage of GDP,
the total value of output, since 1962. As the chart suggests, the bulk of
income redistribution efforts in the United States are non-means-tested
programs.
Figure 15.4 Federal Transfer Payment Spending

The chart shows federal means-tested and non-means-tested transfer
payment spending as a percentage of GDP from 1962–2007.
Source: Congressional Budget Office, The Budget and Economic
Outlook: Fiscal Years 2004–2013 (Jan., 2003), Table F-10p. 157;
thereafter January, 2008, Table F-10 with means-tested as medicaid
plus income security and non-means tested everything else.

Attributed to Libby Rittenberg and Timothy Tregarthen
Saylor URL: />
Saylor.org

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