Definition
Social Security, Medicare, and similar programs where people receive benefits because they paid into them—somehow controversial in a way that tax breaks for billionaires aren't.
Example Usage
Politicians promise to 'reform entitlements' by reducing benefits for the poor while protecting tax cuts for the wealthy, because priorities.
Origin
Emerged as terminology in 1960s-70s for programs where people are 'entitled' to benefits.
Fun Fact
Entitlements are the only government spending that's somehow 'unearned' despite people having paid into them for 40 years of employment.
Source: Budget policy terminology
Related Terms
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See “Entitlements” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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