📈 Social Benefits Now Account for Nearly Half of U.S. Government Spending

In Q2 2025, social benefits comprised 46.2% of U.S. government current expenditures, up from 18.8% in 1960, 30.7% in 1980, and 34.9% in 2000. Total social benefits spending reached $4.82 trillion (seasonally adjusted at annual rates), with Social Security at $1.61 trillion (15.4% of total), Medicare at $1.18 trillion (11.3%), and Medicaid at $0.98 trillion (9.4%). Between Q2 2024 and Q2 2025, Social Security and Medicare accounted for 70% of social benefits growth, surging 11.5% and 10.8% respectively, compared to a 6.2% rise in overall government expenditures.