The question of whether a Christian should pay into or accept Social Security benefits is a complex one with arguments on both sides. There are thoughtful Christians who land on different conclusions on this issue. Ultimately, one’s view on this issue comes down to how one interprets certain biblical principles about government, taxation, retirement saving, and wealth. This article will walk through the key considerations and outline the main perspectives that Christians take.
Background on Social Security
First, some background on what Social Security is may be helpful. Social Security is a US federal government program that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to qualifying workers and their families. It is funded primarily through payroll taxes – workers pay 6.2% of their income and employers match that 6.2%. Self-employed people pay the full 12.4% tax themselves. The money that workers pay into the system funds the benefits for current retirees, while future retiree benefits will be funded by future workers’ taxes. So it operates on a “pay-as-you-go” model.
When workers retire, they become eligible for monthly Social Security retirement benefits based on their lifetime earnings history and age of retirement. Spouses, widows/widowers, and dependent children of workers may also receive benefits. Social Security also provides disability and survivor benefits. Overall, about 1 in 6 Americans receive some kind of Social Security benefit.
Social Security was established in 1935 during the Great Depression. It was intended to provide a baseline of income protection for elderly and disabled Americans. For many retirees, Social Security provides the majority of their retirement income. Others have additional savings, pensions, or assets to draw from.
Perspectives on Paying into Social Security
When it comes to the question of whether a Christian should pay into the Social Security system, there are a few key considerations that lead to different conclusions:
Paying Taxes is a Biblical Obligation
Those who believe Christians should pay into Social Security point to Bible verses that discuss submitting to governing authorities and paying required taxes. A few examples:
Romans 13:1,6-7 – “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God…For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”
Matthew 22:17-21 – “…Jesus said to them, “…Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
The principle derived from these verses is that Christians have a duty to obey governing rulers and pay required taxes, which would include Social Security taxes. If the government mandates taxes to fund a public pension system, Christians should pay them.
Social Security Aligns with a Biblical Concern for the Poor
Another argument made is that the Social Security system fulfills important biblical principles about caring for the poor and needy. Consider these verses:
Deuteronomy 15:7-8 – “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.”
Psalm 41:1 – “Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him.”
Social Security keeps millions of senior citizens out of poverty. Without it, the poverty rate among seniors would be much higher. Since God cares deeply for the poor and needy, administering a program that cares for the elderly poor aligns with biblical values.
Social Security is Good Financial Stewardship
Some also contend that paying into Social Security is wise financial stewardship for one’s future needs in old age. Just as saving for retirement is prudent planning, paying into Social Security can be seen in the same light. Consider these verses on planning ahead:
Proverbs 13:11 – “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”
Genesis 41:33-36 – “Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt…let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain…for the food, that it may not come to ruin.” (Joseph advising Pharaoh to save extra grain for future need)
Preparing for one’s livelihood in the latter years can be considered good stewardship of resources. Social Security is a way the government has provided for its citizens to collectively save for retirement needs.
Paying Taxes Doesn’t Mean Approving Programs
A final perspective is that paying required taxes does not necessarily indicate approval or disapproval of any particular government program. As Jesus said, we should “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s” even if we may not agree with all of Caesar’s decisions. Paying Social Security taxes can simply be seen as fulfilling one’s duties as a citizen.
Perspectives on Accepting Social Security Payments
When it comes to the question of whether Christians who paid into Social Security should accept its retirement benefits, Christian views also diverge:
Social Security is a Form of Insurance
One perspective is that Social Security is like an insurance program. Workers pay premiums (taxes) when they are young and able to work. In return, they receive guaranteed benefits later if they live long enough to need them. Workers already paid for their benefits through decades of taxes, so they have a right to claim them. Numerous Bible verses speak favorably of insurance-like practices:
Proverbs 22:3 – “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”
Genesis 41:33-36 – “Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it.” (Storing up grain for future need)
Just as it is moral and responsible to purchase insurance and make reasonable preparations for the future, so too is it moral to receive Social Security benefits that one has paid for.
Social Security Aligns with Dignity of the Elderly
Others argue that Social Security upholds biblical principles about caring for seniors and showing them dignity. Consider these verses:
Leviticus 19:32 – “You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.”
Psalm 71:9 – “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.”
Caring for the elderly helps maintain their dignity rather than having them beg or depend fully on family. Social Security assists seniors with basic needs and honors them as those who have worked hard and contributed to society.
Accepting Benefits Doesn’t Mean Approving Policies
A third view argues that accepting Social Security benefits does not necessarily indicate approval of the program or government policies. Citizens can still work to reform the system even if they personally benefit from it after having paid in for years. Just as Israelites collected manna in the wilderness even if they disagreed with Moses’ leadership at times, so too retirement benefits can be collected without endorsing every aspect of the program or political system.
Perspectives on Opting Out of Social Security
A final consideration is whether Christians should opt out of the Social Security system entirely if possible. Some perspectives on this:
Opting Out Upholds Conscience Objections
Some believe that voluntarily opting out of Social Security enables them to live according to conscience if they have objections to the program itself or to other government activities the funds support. Consider these verses about conscience:
Acts 5:29 – “We must obey God rather than men.”
1 Corinthians 8:7-13 – Instructions on not partaking in something that causes a brother to stumble and go against conscience.
If paying into or accepting Social Security benefits goes against a Christian’s conscience, they may choose to opt out if possible, such as by joining a ministry program not covered by Social Security.
Opting Out Depends on Motives
However, others contend that opting out based solely on a desire to keep more money is not a sufficient motive. Consider this teaching on motives:
Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
The decision to opt out should be based on biblically-guided conscience, not solely monetary benefit. Opting out merely to have more wealth could reveal misplaced priorities.
Opting Out Still Requires Providing for Self/Family
A final caveat is that if one does opt out of Social Security, they still have a biblical duty to provide for themselves and family. Consider this:
1 Timothy 5:8 – “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Simply opting out without an alternate plan to have income in old age would be irresponsible and unwise.
Summary of Principles to Guide Perspectives
In summary, here are some key biblical principles that can guide Christians seeking wisdom on this complex issue:
- Christians have a duty to obey governing authorities and pay required taxes (Rom. 13:1, 6-7)
- God cares deeply for the poor and needy (Deut. 15:7-8, Ps. 41:1)
- Wise financial stewardship includes saving/preparing for future needs (Prov. 13:11, Gen. 41:33-36)
- Insurance and risk management are presented positively in Scripture (Prov. 22:3, Gen. 41:33-36)
- Caring for the elderly helps maintain their dignity (Lev. 19:32, Ps. 71:9)
- Living by biblical conscience may require objection or abstaining at times (Acts 5:29, 1 Cor. 8:7-13)
- Motives matter when making financial decisions (Matt. 6:24)
- But Christians still have a duty to provide for family (1 Tim. 5:8)
As with many areas of life, followers of Christ must seek wisdom from biblical principles but may arrive at different applications. Some compromise positions are also possible, such as paying Social Security taxes but not accepting benefits. There are thoughtful Christians across the spectrum on this issue. As Romans 14 instructs, it is important to extend grace to one another when disagreements persist on complex matters.