[cnorgate]

Social security will always be around in one form or another. Despite the fact that many Americans detest the idea of a welfare state, we're still collectively bright enough to realize that you can't simply leave no options for the sick, poor, and disabled.

The better question to ask is whether you will be happy living out the twilight of your life on a government controlled amount of money. This amount will likely always gravitate toward the prevailing poverty line. Unlikely to lead to a truly comfortable existence. Definitely not enough to live in any high COL location. Average monthly benefit in 2017 was ~$1,300, and MAX was $2,687 [1]. ~$15-$30K will cover the basics in most lower COL parts of the country, but not much more.

[1] http://time.com/money/4644332/maximum-social-security-benefi...

[jeffreyrogers]

The US is already a welfare state, we're just worse at it than other countries.

In any case, if you are young and aren't happy living out your life on whatever social security pays there is a simple solution: pretend like it doesn't exist and plan accordingly.