[lookout123]

The biggest and most influential voting block is the baby boom generation and will be for some time to come. It will be easy to terrify them into doing nothing by simply presenting any proposed changes as a take away.

I firmly believe that the best thing for the country would be to just step up and say "Social Security will cease to exist in its current form for anyone who has not yet reached their 35th birthday on X date. Those between 35 and 55 will have the option between the current social security system and the new program. Anyone under 35 is automatically enrolled in the new program."

The new program is, of course, individual accounts. An established percentage of personal income will go into the individual's account where it will be invested according to their wishes. They will not be directly invested into the markets but rather time horizon funds similar to what the government has in place for the military, etc. (essentially a series of index funds) None of those funds are designed for outstanding growth, but over a 20-40 year period, all will vastly outperform what we are currently getting from the social security system. Individuals will receive what they have in their accounts at retirement age just as they do from their IRA's. Some will have more, some will have less based on their choices for their funds.

This won't happen of course because the politicians like having the "you're gonna be poor and eat dog food" boogeyman to point at. They are supported by the tinfoil lunatics like tw that see a conspiracy behind every bush or a bush behind every idea. The idea will be shot down by a vigorous campaign of misinformation and scare tactics.

but it would work.

Eventually the government will have to step up and say, "the money is gone folks" and pull funds from somewhere. Better sooner rather than later as time will only make the shortfall greater.