Would you agree to let young people Opt out of Social Security if they wanted and invest that money elsewhere?

[Ben Artzi]

What's the lesser of two evils? Opting out and investing in the free markets, or getting 16% less of what you put into social security in the first place?

http://finance.yahoo.com/focus-retiremen...retirement

[El Tecolote]

As long as 42 is considered young enough to do it. (That's my age...)

[spirit_of_tom_joad]

No. SS is a social contract, a guarantee from the people of America to those too old or sick to work.

[mshomegrown]

the option shouldn't be a question - it's not the governments business

[LibertyLover101]

Freedom means choice...so of course so

[Jim Rooks]

if they allowed anyone to opt out, but especially young people, their lies would be exposed immediately, as current recipients of SS are paid by current workers "contributions". I see a time very soon where even the uber rich will have to contribute so that it can remain "solvent" for a few more years

[Smoking Joe]

No, because that would have lost billions of dollars if they had approved Bush's request to replace social security with stocks and bonds.

[wendy c]

Maybe people around here don't remember pensions, and how people were convinced it was better to let them take the money and invest in 401K funds.
Ask how the stock market is doing today.

[flower]

Well, as a Social Security recipient I can say I paid much less in SS taxes than I am getting back for a retirement benefit.

Social Security is NOT an investment vehicle. If you want that you have 401K.

Social Security is insurance that both you and your employer contribute to (this year you are only paying 4.2%), in the event of disability, indigence, divorce, death or retirement. Without Social Security insurance how would you and your family be protected with no other income ?

[J]

the fact that anyone is compelled to pay into a social program that may or may not be there when it is time for them to collect the benefits of that program should be reason enough to let them opt out.