Would Bush have paid into Social Security

[candy331]

when he was in the Air National Guard? I got my statement of lifetime earnings and pay in to SS and it goes back to 1968 when I was in High School. I know the wealthy don't have to pay in but was wondering might the records be there to show whether he had to pay each month while in or opted out? I'm sure this avenue for his records must have been checked out but I was just wondering.

[freestatevet]

1. "The Wealthy don't pay into social security"

Yes, they do. Just not on any amount they earn above the $87,000 ceiling (for 03). Bush could not have opted out if he was paid for his ANG "service." Military people used to not have to pay into social security (like railway workers and some others) because of the military retirement program; but that ended well before 1970 (I think).

[freestatevet]

3. From what I can tell

1957 was the last year military did not pay FICA.

[TahitiNut]

2. I believe so.

My Army pay vouchers from 1969 (while in Viet Nam) showed FICA deductions. Even though members of the ANG are/were technically state employees, I'd guess (ACDUTRA) pay would be subject to FICA withholding. (I doubt, however, that the ACDUTRA time spent would've accrued the "quarters credited" that full-time active duty did.)

As a mechanism for determining whether is showed up, however, it probably wouldn't work. The Statement of Earnings is in aggregate (isn't broken out by employer) and would show payments/earnings for all credited employment. There'd be nothing to segregate ANG 'earnings' from 'earnings' he was credited for any other 'employment.'