The Place of Dead Roads

From the Social Security Admin's own website: www.ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov

Why can't I invest my Social Security taxes into an IRA plan?

Question: I think I could do better if you let me invest the Social Security I pay into an Individual Retirement Plan (IRA) or some other investment plan. What do you think?

Answer: Maybe you could, but then again, maybe your investments wouldn't work out. Remember these facts:

• Your Social Security taxes pay for potential disability and survivors benefits as well as for retirement benefits;
  
• Social Security incorporates social goals - such as giving more protection to families and to low income workers - that are not part of private pension plans; and
  
• Social Security benefits are adjusted yearly for increases in the cost-of-living - a feature not present in many private plans.
  

(Caught via www.rawstory.com)
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