Question

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Explanation:

Step1: Identify the formula

To find the decrease in benefit, we use the formula: Decrease = Salary × Percentage Decrease. The percentage decrease is 13% or 0.13, and the salary is $54,000.

Step2: Calculate the decrease

Substitute the values into the formula: Decrease = \( 54000 \times 0.13 \).
Calculate \( 54000 \times 0.13 = 7020 \). Wait, but wait, maybe I made a mistake. Wait, no, wait the options: Wait, option b is $7,020. But wait, let me check again. Wait, maybe the Social Security benefit is calculated on a portion? Wait, no, the problem says "decrease the Social Security benefit by 13%". So if the benefit is based on the salary, then 13% of 54,000 is 7020. But wait, the options: option b is "Benefit would decrease by $7,020 annually." But wait, let me check the options again. Wait, the options are a: 1,404, b:7,020, c:8,640, d:15,660. Wait, maybe I misread. Wait, 13% of 54,000: 54,000 * 0.13 = 7,020. So that's option b. But wait, maybe the Social Security benefit is not the full salary? Wait, no, the problem says "on a salary of $54,000". So maybe the benefit is calculated as a percentage, and decreasing it by 13% of the benefit. Wait, no, the problem says "decrease the Social Security benefit by 13%". So if the benefit is, say, a certain amount, but the problem is about the effect on the benefit for a salary of 54,000. Wait, maybe the benefit is 54,000 * some rate, but the problem is about decreasing the benefit by 13% of the benefit. Wait, no, the problem is phrased as "decrease the Social Security benefit by 13%". So if the benefit is B, then the decrease is 0.13B. But if B is based on the salary, maybe B is a percentage of the salary. Wait, maybe I made a mistake. Wait, let's recalculate 13% of 54,000: 54,000 * 0.13 = 7,020. So that's option b. But wait, the user's options: option b is "Benefit would decrease by $7,020 annually." So that's the calculation.

Answer:

B. Benefit would decrease by $7,020 annually.