So...? Why can’t I opt to not pay into social security and start my own retirement plan?
Why should a spouse who has never worked a day in their life be eligible for S.S. widow's benefits and not teachers?
You mentioned your mother was a teacher for nearly thirty years & ended up making $65k a year. Look how long it took her to make that, that's chump change in the private sector for that much experience. Do you think your mother was worth her salary?
The rush for the exits would be a stampede. I'll be 53 next month, and I'd gladly sign away 100% of my purported SS benefits (which I know I won't get anyway) for the chance to have JUST my 7.65% stuffed into my 401K on top of the money I already contribute to it! I'm not even going to ask for the 7.65% my employer is extorted for.