Republicans: Do you still think privatizing / investing Social Security in the stock market a good idea?

[Chris]

Why and why not?

[Shiraz!]

yes becase any time the govt gets it's hands on any thing it ruins it!

[TG]

It makes more sense than putting it in securities that don't even keep up with inflation.

Personally I don't agree with Social Security, period. But if we are going to have it, make it work.

Actually this is brilliant right now. The market has dropped incredibly...so why not invest in cheap stocks and save the system that has failed...then after you profit invest it as safely (but intelligently) as possible to ensure the system will last and not run out in another 15 years like it has.

[Brian]

Yes, at least as an option. If someone wishes to have the government hold that money that would be fine but the government isn't too keen on giving us options..

[Brian]

Yes once the market settles down and this bailout starts to take effect, things will be fine. When McCain takes office in January that will be about the right time to do it.

[Thomas SR]

Still makes more sense than letting it sit where Congress can pilfer it any time they feel the need.

[Stop Ranting]

Yes because it's a long term investment. The stock market has never lost money over any 5 yer period, even during the Great Depression.

The real question is do you want a few hundred a month under social security or to retire as a millionaire as you would if you had invested the money yourself over the same period.

[Bob]

Absolutely! Over the long term, the stock market has and average ROI of 10%. That's a historical fact. I'm sorry, I know you libs don't like facts, just emotions.

[Leanne]

The government has proved that they can't effectively handle SSI - if the money were in the private sector, it would have made no difference because the broke government would have - and did - bailed out Wall Street.
So where's the difference?

[Marcello]

How can you NOT advocate having some or all of it privatized?

Of course, its the popular thing to be against the idea because the market is so down this past year, but when you consider:

1 - there has never been a 30 year period in the history of social security where the S&P has not far surpassed its returns. Yes, that is accurate…even if you invested the same money that went into your SS for the last 30 years instead into the S&P (even with the market as far down as it has been) you would have MUCH more money than you get with Social Security.

2 - as bad as the markets have been, Social Security has much bigger problems at the moment. Remember baby boomers that are starting to retire? Remember the fact that without drastically changing how the Government allocates its funds, there will be no funds for SS?


Don't get sucked into the idea that a paltry 2% return from Social Security is better for you just because the markets are currently down - that is only the claim of those unwilling to face facts.