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To the Editor:

On September 18, 1967, I began my civil engineering career with The Virginia Department of Highways. My salary was $670 a month. My excitement over opening my first paycheck instantly waned. After paying Federal Income Tax, Virginia State Income Tax, Social Security, Virginia Supplemental Retirement System’s deduction, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance, Medicare and Workman’s Compensation Insurance, I held a check for slightly over $400. Not paying for all those deductions was not an option. Lord knows I tried!

Since that first day at work, over a variety of careers, every dollar of my salary has been reduced by “donations.” (My wife’s paychecks were similarly reduced.) At 66 years old I reached full retirement age (FRA) to receive Social Security benefits. But I took a big risk and waited four more years until I reached age 70 to apply.

Now the leader of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency – really?) has gone on TV and said there is tremendous abuse and fraud in Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security amounting to as much as $500 billion to $700 billion. He makes it sound like entitlements are very bad, no-good, crooked things. But wait a minute! Seven hundred billion dollars is the amount of the total annual payout to all recipients of Social Security! Is he talking about getting rid of the whole thing?

For 58 years I have faithfully paid for my taxes, insurances and entitlements. I am still paying for them today even as I receive Social Security, Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

Am I entitled?

John Chiles

Southern Shores

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