I agree with you, Mel. Social Security is a great safety net, and money invested privately does not always reap a tremendous payoff if there is an economic downturn. I worked for my SS and happily receive the check each month. It isn't a handout. It's something I paid into. The only time my husband and I came to blows over it was when he wanted me to wait until I was 70 to take it, and I refused.