If you think Social Security beats the stock market rate of return, can you do math?

[A Nobody]

Your statement assumes that in the stock market, the only investing strategy is buy and hold stocks. This is the typical strategy used to grow 401k's and other retirement accounts. The buy and hold strategy is the slowest growing stradegy possible in the stock market. (oddly enough it is the only one known to most Americans) Other strategies, while perhaps more risky, will grow your money a lot faster. I said "perhaps" more risky because much of the risk in your investments can be controled if you will educate yourself about your investing strategy.