Social security is a ponzi scheme. The early parties enjoyed the full benefits. Later parties had the pleasure of paying for the party at the full limits. I've paid max SS since 1980. Far more than 40 quarters. I'll likely pay max social security for another 20 years as well. The social security ponzi scheme and leftist good deed gold pot is being drained of everything collected. By 2018, the revenues and distributions balance (no "surplus" left for politicians to spend). After that, benefits will have to be reduced as revenues will not match obligations.
I'm not picking on legal immigrants. I'm railing at the stupidity of the socialist inventions called social security and Medicaid. They are pure and simple theft. As with every socialist invention, the bill eventually comes due. The obligations exceed the revenue.
I'm not saying you shouldn't have "credit" for the quarters you paid. Just realize that it is a phoney number written on a piece of paper that documents how much money the government took from your paycheck and immediately paid to other parties. There is no "money" in your account. Just as there is no money in my "account". Just a record of the theft. I'm turning 50 next month. I rather doubt that any of the money confiscated will ever find its way back to my pocket.