I don't like it at all, but since I was forced to participate, I want my money back. I would love to have never participated, I could have contributed much more to my saving, IRA and 401k.

A good friend just realized he screwed himself. He has owned his own business for years. He paid himself a meek salary. He did take gain share bonuses and ect.

Well he has learned that is SS check will be fairly low due to his low contributions over the years.

His benefits are based on contributions.

Social security benefits are also taxable income.

It's all good. Believe what you like. It really doesn't matter what we call it. We like those programs better than others. Nothing wrong with that.

Even more interesting? Whatever is left when I croak goes to my heirs and not the government, at least for now.

SS and pensions promoted by so many over savings, evaporate entirely or if paid to a spouse are drastically cut when you die.

One part of the problem are folks near retirement or retired, it's too late to change. We were compelled to participate so we are invested and it's too late to make alternative plans. I'm stuck with Medicare, my previous employer broke their promise to fund medial care, again when I was nearing retirement age. I do get a annual stipend to make up some of the difference, but it too is at their pleasure.

Had I known or foreseen this situation I would have taken measures years ago much as I had already done to save for retirement without counting on SS. As for not taking SS, I'll be happy to consider that when the government quits wasting money. 🍺

+1 🌫

What? Is there a supportable point in there somewhere?

By a gun that didn't make any noise

But it wasn't the bullet that laid him to rest

Frank, there is a lot of truth in your post but do you think there was as much entitlement 10, 20, 30, or even 40 years ago?

no, I don't. It has taken a few generations for what used to be common expected behavior and some values to erode to where they are now...

but my grandmother's generation was freaking out when my father's generation started jumping in the aisles at Benny Goodman concerts, his generation freaked out at Elvis' hip wiggling, we all became desensitized to the need for hiding sexuality/nudity/porn...and each generation thought they were still purer than the next despite evidence to the contrary.

All the same stuff happened, much was quietly dealt with by extended family, and to me, the real game changer is that every word spoken, every move made, every action taken, seems to become news around the globe in seconds! "Nice" families hid their dirty laundry, today it's on youtube.

But the truth for me is it really does feel like what you are posting, but I like to remind myself that its just really the same thing...only different (another quotable for tailgater cuz I'm like a genius)

don't go there, people hate it when they find out Regan broke into the stash first! Then it was Katy Bar the Door.

yeah!

It is a Ponzi scheme. And it is administered all wrong. As Cacman said... needs to be abolished. There are 24 year olds on it because they have 'anxiety'.