General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Paul Krugman Tells GOP Senator: ‘Your Facts Are False’ On Social Security [View all]liberal N proud
(60,334 posts)Intragovernmental Holdings - Just under one-third of the Federal debt is owed to about 230 other Federal agencies. How does this happen? Some agencies, like the Social Security Trust Fund, take in more revenue from taxes than they need right now. Rather than stick this cash under a giant mattress, these agencies buy U.S. Treasuries with it.
Which agencies own the most Treasuries? Social Security, by a long shot. Here's the detailed breakdown:
Social Security (Social Security Trust Fund and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund) - $2.72 trillion
Office of Personnel Management (Federal Employees Retirement, Life Insurance, Hospital Insurance Trust Funds, including Postal Service Fund) - $1.12 trillion
Dept. of Health and Human Services (Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund) - $69 billion
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - $35 billion
http://useconomy.about.com/od/monetarypolicy/f/Who-Owns-US-National-Debt.htm