“Those temporary [COVID-19] benefits have expired but this study finds that even with existing unemployment benefits and the dramatic recent expansion of ObamaCare subsidies, a spouse would have to earn more than $80,000 a year from a 40 hour a week job to have the same after-tax income as certain families with two unemployed spouses receiving government benefits,” the report says. “In these states, working 40 hours a week and earning $20 an hour would mean a slight REDUCTION in income compared to two parents receiving unemployment benefits and health care subsidies.”
“In 24 states, unemployment benefits and [Obamacare] subsidies for a family of four with both parents not working are the annualized equivalent of at least the national median household income,” the authors continue.
According to the trio’s findings, Minnesota ranks 4th in the U.S. when it comes to dolling out benefits in relation to annual salary. On a chart in the report, Minnesota is behind just New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Washington with $98,915 in “Earned Income Equivalent” for unemployed couples with dependents.
Excluding ACA subsidies, Minnesota is also 4th in the nation when it comes to benefits paid out to two unemployed parents with two dependent children, with $92,344 in “Earned Income Equivalent.”
[You get what you subsidize. This seems like a pretty good explanation for the so-called Great Resignation. — Ed]
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