Non Socialist

By Walter F. Roche Jr., TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, April 18, 2009

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. announced last month that Social Security beneficiaries will get one-time $250 stimulus bonus payments beginning in May.

He didn’t mention that he will be one of the recipients.

The annual tax returns for Biden and his wife, Jill, released last week, show he began collecting Social Security benefits in 2008. He became eligible for full benefits in November when he reached age 66.

Social Security beneficiaries will receive their $13 billion share of the $787 billion Obama stimulus package as early as May. Each of more than 50 million Social Security beneficiaries is entitled to $250 under the stimulus measure.

“These folks need the money,” Biden said in announcing the payment schedule. “People are going to be actually spending that money.” ….snip

Because Biden’s income exceeded the cap, he paid taxes on all but $980 of his 2008 benefits.

The Bidens reported income of $253,866 and paid $46,952 in federal taxes.

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