Social Security is not a problem right now; in fact, it runs a large surplus every year. However,
Americans are living longer, and drawing more Social Security payments than they ever put in. Early in the
next century, we will be paying out more than we take in, and Social Security will have to dip into its
surplus, which is currently used by the federal government for other spending. When the last of the baby
boomers retire, the payroll tax would have to almost double to maintain benefits. This creates an undue
burden on Generation X-ers, and solutions need to be found to prevent this from happening.
* Citizens should be given a choice on whether or not they wish to invest their own Social Security funds in
a high-yield bank account, or the stock market.
Right now, the average American has withdrawn all he has put into Social Security within 7 years
of retirement. This forces the everyday worker to support those currently on Social Security with his
payments. Whoever is still in the work force should be given the opportunity to do with their money as they
see fit. If someone feels that they are unable to invest wisely in the stock market, there are other options
available. For instance, and perhaps the simplest, is to invest the funds into a money-market account, which
will on average receive 1-1 1/2% more interest than a traditional savings account. From the time the
average American starts working - say 16 or 17 - till the time he retires, there will be a lot of money that
has accumulated in this account. Another option is a tax-sheltered annuity. This is an option available to
anyone - as long as they have an investment broker - to take a certain amount of money from their
paycheck, tax free, and have it invested and re-in!
vested in stocks and bonds. It can be cashed out at any times. Many banks offer tax-sheltered annuities for a
...