Final answer:
Inequality is built into the social security system through wage-based benefits, the pay-as-you-go system, and disparities in life expectancy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inequality is built into the social security system in a few ways. First, the benefits provided by the program are based on wages while working. This means that individuals with lower incomes receive a higher percentage of their previous earnings in benefits compared to higher-income earners. Second, the current structure of social security relies on a pay-as-you-go system, where current workers' payroll taxes fund the benefits for current retirees. However, with an increasing number of retirees and a relatively smaller number of workers paying into the system, there is concern about the long-term sustainability of social security. Lastly, there are disparities in life expectancy across different socioeconomic groups, meaning that some individuals will receive social security benefits for a longer period of time than others.