Who's Entitled? (Surprise!)

Most Americans who receive statutory government benefits are solidly middle class; some are decidedly well off. A few hypothetical examples:

-- A couple in their late 60s with an income of $84,000 could also collect $27,000 in partly taxable Social Security and Medicare benefits.

-- A middle-aged farmer with $150,000 of income would typically get more than $20,000 in agricultural subsidies.

-- A retired Air Force colonel who earns $150,000 as an executive can still draw his full military pension of $46,000.

-- A former Congressman with a civil-service pension, Social Security, a military reservist's pension and a federal widower's annuity might collect $110,000 in total government income.