Name:   MartiniMan - Subject:   Social Security Date:   3/4/2016 3:53:19 PM

If you ran a retirement fund the way SS is run you would be in prison.  To show how poorly it was run all you have to do is look at the county in Texas that opted out of FICA when it came into being (a loophole that was quickly closed).  Just one example, a secretary that had the same amount taken out as FICA and the employer contribution were invested in mutual funds and she retired on $86,000 per year.  SS would have paid her around $11,000.  SS was never meant to be permanent or a retirement fund.  It was supposed to be a security net.  Additionally, because of the increased life expectancy many retirees take out much more than they contributed.  That would work if the funds had been invested and they get the principal and interest/income.  Nothing of the sort happened.  SS is a classic ponzi scheme.

And that doesn't even address the fact that there is no such thing as a Social Security Trust Fund, a lie regularly told by Democrats.  The money goes into the general fund and is spent faster than it is collected.  What needs to happen to save it for those who really need it is as follows:  1) the retirement age needs to be raised over a number of years; 2) there needs to be means testing; and 3) younger people should be allowed to take a portion of their FICA and invest it, maybe through TSP or another vehicle.  But its the fourth rail and every time Republicans talk about saving SS they are accused of wanting to push grandma off a cliff.  Hence my comment about govt programs becoming vote buying tools.