[worrycue]

> My parents died at 68. That they paid social security for their entire careers and got so little is absurd.

Do their children (i.e. you and your siblings if any) get to access it? If yes, it’s not a complete waste.

[sojournerc]

Nope, my brothers and I inherited their private savings, but no public benefits.

My mom received a portion of my father's air force pension after he passed, but not us since we weren't dependents any longer.

[worrycue]

I take it contributing to SS is voluntary? Else it’s kind of like robbery.

When you take a job with a pension, you run the risk of not being able to collect that pension if you die early. But it’s your choice to take the job.

[sojournerc]

SS is withheld in every paycheck by your employer and you can't opt out. The employer pays half and the other (6.2%) is withheld from the employee's gross income. Currently totaling 12.4% of income.

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc751