Problem: A middle income worker, with a dependent spouse older than the normal retirement age, retired in January 2004. In the year prior to retirement, her gross monthly earnings were $1,500. Her Social Security pension benefit is $1,000 per month. Prior to retirement, she was subject to total taxes on her labor earnings amounting to 20%. Calculate her gross and net replacement rates. Suppose the cash value of Medicare subsidies that she expects to receive during retirement amounts to $2,000 per year. Recalculate the replacement rates including the Medicare benefits.