Show of Hands

You all hate your parents, and you only care about your self. That makes everyone who wants accounts to be the worst scum of this earth!

Agree with ronpaul.

I invest on my own anyways and think it's wise that there is a separate social safety net.

Chile proves that freedom of choice and freedom from the state increases overall wealth and reduces poverty. The liberal argument against these results..."but old people on social security can't afford an iPhone or iPad, so these results are skewed

I'm 25 were not going to get social security. So why the f am I paying for it?? So other people can enjoy theirs ? F them

Um.

I'm 27 and I never expect to get a social security payment.

That makes them a kittle crazy if you ask me

I'm amazed how many people seem to plan on living off SS alone...

The people in Dc should see this poll.

Let me control that portion of my retirement not the self interested crooks in DC.

Social Security has no public fund. In fact, it has no fund at all. It's all bookkeeping. In and out. A conduit account. When the government talks about SS going broke, it means when that time comes when more is going out than is being taken in.

@SlowThink: Right on, right on, right on!!!!

SlowThink, you are so correct!

True that!

Social security is supposed to be one leg of the three legged stool for retirement. (1) personal savings (2) pensions (3) social security. relying strictly upon soc sec as a means to retirement is neither safe, nor how the planned was meant to be used.

I'm even willing to have the Feds keep ALL the money I've put into SS "contributions" (over the last 35 years) IFF they would cease deducting from my paychecks immediately.

You know what?That's just wrong. For some people a 401k is the best option. When you dont have lots of extra money, getting a pre-tax investment opportunity is a great option for some who would otherwise not have any real investment money available. Then with a company that matches. Its a no brainer

The question says control your own money, not that it has to go in a 401k, if the only thing you know about investments is either SS or 401k, maybe you shouldn't keep your own money

Sure. How about I put it all in enron? Wall street should not be the only source of retirement

I remember GW's attempt at overhauling the SS system and how he travelled across the US to explain our pending doom. He was beat up pretty bad over it.

The elderly will not throw the next generation under the bus...

Mega, I hear what you're saying, but I think you can also point to AARP and the like that have spent millions lobbying and striking fear into the elderly. Those who expected to receive and are now relying on SS should not lose it. If the elderly understand they won't lose they will support change.

My 401k is doing great Houston. Diversification is a wonderful thing. You can't blame WS for all your losses. DC is supposed to provide regulation and oversight. They were asleep at the wheel. Read up on it - plenty of books on the subject now.

Yeah, let's give our SS money to Wall Street! I mean they did so well with our money the last 4 years right? How's that 401k doing?

Do you all understand how SC works?

@megaditos: I agree on both points. Next I wonder what agreements could be had on what those changes would be?

@NYevo: Social security was meant to be a safety net, not a hammock. Everyone here seems to understand that changes need to be made to the current system. Unfortunately, the elderly will come out to vote in mass numbers to ensure changes are not made.

Wow. Over 1/2 Democrats would do it. C'mon guys, practice what you preach.

Sesame seeds....? Idk

@megaditos. I believe in the social safety net. It was passed as law by our representatives. I don't get anything from you. Our elders get it.

@NYevo: Don't you dare demand the contents of my pocket for your poor decisions. Take some frickin' personal responsibility. Boo frickin' hoo!

Cont. To get some type of welfare? If opt out ever became an option,that person should not be eligible for $ from gov..The sad part there is that many folks will then undoubtedly become a burden on their family or become destitute in old age. This is the reason why SS was created I'm the first place

@NYevo: I'm going to remain calm even though reading your last comment makes my blood boil. Your life is your responsibility. If you make poor choices such as; dropping out of school, not attending college, gambling, drug or alcohol abuse, making poor investments, etc. that's tough shit for you.

@unforgivn: I guess I am wondering how you do it when the SS tax collected from us now is not being used for us, but rather those retiring now. And I also ask, what happens to those who make bad investments (or simply retire during a market crash), end up with nothing, and then want....cont:

Every proposed change to social security involves a later retirement date along with higher contributions. And, again, those aged 55+ would be exempted from any adjustments. I'd also like to see an "Opt Out" plan as well, but good luck wrestling away that power from the federal government.

What proposal have you seen that requires retirees to give up anything?

Unfortunately for the social security reform issue, old people vote in much larger numbers than young people. Nanny and pappy ain't givin' up their gravy train without a fight.

Mega, do you and folks your age not get a vote. Elect politicos with some nards!

(cont) citizens and reduce government involvement. I think that makes sense and is reasonable. Heck, we have some private roads (tolls) and I can choose to use them. Let me choose in SS too.

@NYevo: Of course taxes are necessary and while I favor a flat National Sales Tax (Fair Tax), I'd never favor eliminating taxes. The problem is everybody has a different idea of how much government should do. I personally think a private SS system would benefit (cont)

@CGGALT: It absolutely is grandma and grandpa's fault. How do you think those politicians in Washington got there? Because our greedy grandparents made damned well sure to elect politicians who supported the social security gravy train. To hell with their precious grandchildren!

It may well expand government, but what do we do with those people who don't invest wisely or at all? While I am tempted to say let them starve (or go without medical care), I am not sure I could be so cold blooded. It really is a question of the role of govt. I think it should help people

I just read other comments: Living in a society together? If you think SocSec is about caring for the elderly more then expanding Government, your an idiot. That, and the fact that this society is governed by a Constitution that primarily states the Individual is not sacrificed to the collective.

This should have one more option, to not invest in any way as instructed, enforced and forced by law. Seriously, anything more unconstitutional then telling me how much if my earnings I have to save? And, anything more ignorant then the politicians in DC giving financial advice?

@unforgivn: I find myself agreeing on one hand and disagreeing on the other. How many different things are there which take taxpayer money and direct it to someone or something other than me or you? It's taxation. It's what it does. And we get representation to guide it. Can there be no taxes then?

uh yes, in a heartbeat

Cont. He's 30, if you're disabled (and not morbidly obese disabled) you can start receiving at 60, otherwise work till your unable, that alone would help the solvency (not solve). Lots of common sense ideas, not a lot of common sense politicians

You're not selfish for wanting to control your own money, you're not socialist for caring about others. Keep your money, invest it as you see fit, contribute to charity for taking care of the elderly if you are so worried about it. Btw, SS at 62??? come on now, my dads 65 and he moves around like..

I can invest my own money better, so yes. Shame on you rstoffer10 for that very backwards statement.