[ethbr1]

> That by law can only go to fund social security and nothing else.

Eh, that's partly true. The true statement is that social security tax revenue must eventually go to fund social security.

Before it's needed (i.e. while tax revenue exceeds benefits), it has been used to buy US treasuries -- the funds used to do so then appeared for Congress' general use.

You can see the US treasures the social security trust fund is currently holding here: https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/ProgData/investheld.html

[devman0]

The treasuries are effectively zero-risk assets to the trust fund and they also pay interest. Just having the fund sit the on cash would not be efficient.

The money goes to the trust fund, the trust fund buys treasuries and meets it's outlays using the maturing treasuries.

[ethbr1]

Creating a debt obligation with yourself isn't typically the definition of zero risk. ;)

Or to put it another way, buying special issue treasuries isn't functionally different than Congress directly spending excess money in the trust fund and guaranteeing to pay more back later.

Just with additional steps and a thin veneer of impartiality and financial standards.

[fkfyshroglk]

> Creating a debt obligation with yourself isn't typically the definition of zero risk. ;)

Is there any other way to run a currency? Serious question.

Just posting this to see if people will also flag this random ish