Quote:The sad fact of the matter is that most people count on something like SS because they are incapable of saving money themselves. If someone had control of their own retirement and could withdraw money at any point of their career, there are millions of irresponsible people who would do so without even thinking about life after retirement.

 

While I personally agree with you and would LOVE to invest for my own retirement, it sets a dangerous precedent. 

 

I kind of equate it to people who claim an inaccurate number of allowances on their taxes so they are guaranteed a larger tax return. The majority of these people don't realize the government is holding YOUR money, making interest off of it before returning it to its rightful owner.

 

Again, this is off-topic for this thread (maybe I'll start a new one).  The fact of the matter is that EVERYONE that is working is capable of saving money for themselves for retirement.  People have no idea how much they are taxed for SS alone.  If that same amount of money was put into a modest investment, they would have way more when they reach retirement age than what SS is supposed to pay them.

 

The conservative principle is to allow people to do for themselves rather than depend on government to do for them.

---