Reply #5: First of all, Social Security was never intended to be a

[zalinda]

"savings account". It was called Social Security Insurance for a reason, you paid in and after you retired you got a percentage of what you paid in. But, it was put in place because things happen to people and when they get old or disabled, and can't work, they have to live on something. It really should be means tested. If your income is more than x amount, you shouldn't be able to receive SSI.

After all think of all the other insurance plans that you buy into. When you no longer drive, does the car insurance company give you back all the money you've paid into the system? How about home owners insurance, when you sell your home and move in with your family, do they give you back all the money you've paid in for you house to be insured? And medical insurance, what if you find you have a terminal illness which requires no medical treatment, would you get your money back?

Social Security Insurance was developed to keep people from being homeless and going to the poor house to die (and yes, there was such a place a poor houses). You were supposed to pay into it so you would at least have a roof over your head and food in your stomach. You see, poor people have been around for a long time, and they could not save money for retirement. How it ever became an entitlement program is beyond me.

zalinda