There are such things as safe financial instruments. Government bonds, class AAA corporate bonds, interest annuities, savings accounts, etc. I believe this was the idea, versus the stock market, where it can be very risky.

The point is: Investment into "safe" financial instruments would guarantee a much better return that throwing all of it into social security.

History has proven that. The government "always" gets into it, for wars, & other things they want done. The average pay-out is only 2% over a lifetime, that is if you're lucky. Right now, SS will go bankrupt in about 20 years. Right now, they are going to cut back benefit pay-outs, raise the retirement age, etc. Take a look at your paycheck, & realise that your employer doubles what you pay in to social security & medicare. Then take a look at your social security statement to see what you're going to get when you retire. It's ridiculous.

So really, where would you want your money to be at when you retire? You wouldn't have to ask me that twice.