Overlord:
Exactly right. It was a ponzi scheme then and a ponzi scheme now. Now we are starting to realize how dangerous those are, and why they were outlawed.
You do understand that even after you avg in the great depression, black monday,... you still have 12% gain in the stock market over time.
Even after repeating this several times, Shazam seems to miss this pt. SS is for long term investing, so short term volatility of the stock market is irrelevant. Of course over 5 years you can lose money. DUH. But over ANY 15 year period (we do pay into SS more than 15 years of our lives, right?), the stock market had a 12% gain. Even with the stock market crashes and recessions. If you do not believe me, do the research.
Shazam, STOP TALKING OUT OF YOUR BUTT.
My 401k plan at work shows a graph where they estimate SS will only take care of 18% of retirement expenses. That is assuming it will still be around in 40 years, a BIG assumption. So I have to take care of the other 82%? WTF kind of savings plan is that? I would rather bear the WHOLE expense of my retirement and get better returns than allow some stupid ponzi scheme waste my money.