I'd love to see a study (if I can find the time, I'd do it) that would show how solvent the SS Trust fund would be had former Governor Lamb's recommendations been taken seriously back in the 80's.
Roughly, it went like this:
1) Everyone gets back what they paid in, plus interest.
2) Beyond that, subject everyone to a means analysis. Have/make too much? You get bumpkis.
Does Ronald Reagan, Bob Dole, <insert your favorite millionaire over 62> really need the additional income? They need to take from me and my kids, their kids, etc. ad nauseum?
My mother-in-law has already made more in the form of SS checks in real dollars than she did gross her entire working life.
Me? according to my last statement my parent's generation got back what they paid in within 5 years. My projection is 28 years to break even and I'm still contributing.
I've already paid in more than a former senior executive with a Fortune 100 company I know who retired in 1991. He's got everything back he paid in plus about $30,000. But he still gets his check/COLA/medical insurance/etc.
SS as it is now is nothing more than a way for old bastards to get their Viagra prescriptions paid for by future generations. Goddamned children of the 40's, had everything handed them on a silver platter throughout the 50's and still they want more...