I am in my 40's and i recieve a notice every year from social security telling me how much i have paid in and what i'll get when i retire......at 72 for full benefits. The small print also informs me unless something changes, i will only get 47% of my stated benefits because we are paying out more than we take in. I'd rather have my own money to invest or waste as I SEE FIT than let the government have it to waste. My retirement plan is death. I will work til i die, have my biggest bills paid for unless a catastrophy happens and my spouse will have my life insurance and a tiny amount of SS to live on. What other choice do i have? Sure be nice to invest now, but feeding a family is our budget. We don't travel except in our own state, have very little debt, drive a 2001 a 1984 and a 1990 trucks, eat out rarely. I have a great job and fence in my spare time, plus our cattle. And now the government is taking $120 a month more than they did last year! How about i keep that money and put it away for down the trail? I would rather not pay a dime of social security and figure out my own retirement than have faith in the government, like your friend, to take care of me. Right now, i am paying but will only recieve a tiny return for my money. :? Til they can show that they have half a clue, let me take care of myself!