Think of it another way. This statement:

> It's never disadvantageous to make more money (except if you're on government benefits as mentioned, where there are some weird effects).

is essentially equivalent to:

> If you're not on government benefits, where there are some weird effects, then it is never disadvantageous to make more money.

But if the wording was done the second way, you probably wouldn't have had a problem with it.

Thanks for the input, you do bring an excellent point. I wouldn't agree that they are equivalent though, one is formed specifically to give the impression that it's never disadvantageous, while the other isn't. Parentheses aren't used to bring essential information, which in this case, it is essential.

This is why I would have less problem with the second one. I would still precise that some of theses benefits aren't really a choice, they are tax break that just happens to be offered because of your income, so sure if you already went beyond that income, you aren't on that government benefit... but at one point you weren't beyond that income and you did made less money once you went beyond.