I wish i could just opt out of social security and invest the money myself. I'd pay the long term cap gains tax if this was an option, and I'd come out way ahead. The federal government can only mishandle money.

Maybe we need two systems:

1. You may move to be a certified responsible saver. You inherit all risk. But you opt out of the taxes. You must prove retirements assets are being contributed to.

2. Mandatory saving for everyone else (reading other countries, seems like this happens elsewhere). Money is pooled and invested into US companies. Investments must produce at least 8% return annually over 10 year rolling period or something, else corporate assets are forfeited (someone more saavy than I needs to figure that policy out).