1、1 Social Security reflects December 2005, Medicare reflects July 2005, and Medicaid reflects(continued.)Order Code RS22008Updated January 25, 2007Federal Spending for Older AmericansApril GradyAnalyst in Social LegislationDomestic Social Policy DivisionWilliam Joseph KlunkActuaryDomestic Social Poli
2、cy DivisionSummaryThe federal government currently spends more than one-third of its budget onbenefits and programs for older Americans. For people age 65 and over, estimatedFY2007 spending for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid alone is $833 billion.Spending for retired federal employees and m
3、ilitary personnel and for veterans is alsosignificant, and smaller programs add to the total as well. Tax expenditures might alsobe taken into account to obtain a more complete budget picture.If current trends and policies continue, federal spending for older Americans isexpected to grow substantial
4、ly. Contributing factors include a growing share of the U.S.population being of retirement age, real increases in Social Security benefits due to wagegrowth, and rising health care costs. Whatever the magnitude, this spending growth willconfront Congress with difficult choices. The share of the fede
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