Payroll taxes paid by employees and employers have varied greatly over the years. In a deliverable, choose one of the following topics to discuss.

1. Social Security was originally developed as an old-age assistance program under Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It also serves to protect vulnerable groups, such as widows and the blind. In your deliverable, trace the growth of Social Security and its payroll withholdings. Do you believe the program has become more extensive than originally intended? Is it inadequate to meet current and future needs? What do you predict will happen to withholding rates and age requirements for Social Security?

2. What is Medicare? Who is eligible, and when? Trace the history and growth of Medicare. Do you believe this program has grown bigger than originally intended?

3. State tax withholdings can vary greatly; in fact, some states have no income taxes. Write about your state’s income tax rates and withholding. Include a description of how your state’s income taxes have changed over the last 50 years and how you think state tax withholdings will change in the future.