I should have said “far more”.

The redistribution often mentioned by economists should be regarded as what it often really is – subsidies for business (and eventually the wealthy owners.)

For example, food stamps allow a company to pay workers far below reasonable wages, because government will provide food stamps, rent assistance, etc.

A fair wage – like the $15 minimum in Australia – eliminates the need for most of these business welfare programs, but higher wages are opposed by those who benefit by underpaying people.

Social Security benefits are not transfer payments, and are calculated and paid for by recipients, not taxing the wealthy. In fact, SS is regressive, since the more you pay into the fund, the less you receive in benefits. Folks at the bottom end of wages get 90%, and top earners get 15% in a three-tiered system.

Social Security disability and SSI could be considered transfer payments, since what is received can be far less than contributed.

Unemployment insurance is an historic way to allow companies to lay off employees for several months and then rehire them when they are needed. Without such insurance they would get another job or starve to death.

During slavery, the “unpaid workers” would be supported during the winter, rather than letting them die, because there would nobody left to plant the crops in the Spring.