Social Security

Roland Ecker’s interpretation of our Social Security system (letter, Dec. 4) should not go unanswered. Comparing it to the Chilean privatized system, he states that the average American Social Security check is “about $700 and it can be taxed to 85%.”

In fact, a $700 Social Security check would only be taxed if the recipient (single) had other income of more than $20,800. And then, the tax rate would be 15% on only one-half of the first portion of the excess. A single person with no income except Social Security would have to receive Social Security checks of over $4,000 per month before paying any income tax.

GENE BARMORE

Huntington Beach