"To clarify, having that additional 6% would be that much more I can save. Right now, that part of my income is taken from me without my consent."
Up to this point, no one has corrected this statement and I can't resist. To clarify, yes 6.5% is visibly taken from your paycheck as a line item withholding. Your employer also matches that withholding, so your earnings are actually affected by 13%. If you are self employed, you are forced to pay 13% to the government to fund FICA.
I agree with you tho, that 13% would go a lot further if I could invest it myself.
You're totally right about the 13% (and I was aware of it), I just stuck with 6 since I didn't feel like explaining what you just did!
Hell, it would probably go further if you invested it in the First Bank of Serta Posturpedic....