The figures show recipients who work earn an average of $6.37 per hour, 72 cents more than the minimum wage.

Honour Roll: These recipients have earned an overall average of at least 80%.

On the positive side, the study found most former recipients were earning considerably more than the minimum wage.

"Most recipients would be earning the minimum wage anyway," he said.

Only about 40 percent of the Medicare recipients earn enough to be liable for the surtax.

That modest difference masks greater individual successes; some recipients earned a lot more, and the gains are likely to be greater in subsequent years.

Former recipients are not earning very much and their prospects for promotion appear dim.

Other benefits, like unemployment insurance, are taxed, and most recipients earn too little to cross the tax threshold anyway.

He also changed the law to allow recipients to earn some money without losing benefits.

To qualify, recipients must have earned at least half their income as farmers or ranchers for at least four consecutive years.