That you believe that says you still have a bit of liberal Democrat in you. If your parents paid in, they should have their payout. If they don't think it's fair to others, they can always refuse to take the checks. People are appalled when I say Bill Gates deserves his SS. He paid into it, so why not? Otherwise, it's just another wealth-transfer scheme.
And Gates paid more than most since for most of his life he’s met the cap.
It has always been a wealth transfer scheme.
People of my generation understand that. We don't expect to have the money there when we retire.
That so many FReepers expect the gov't to pay them back because they think SS was an "investment" the gov't made on their behalf is just ignorance.
It always has taken money from Peter and given it to Paul. That worked while there were lots of Peters. Not so much any more.
Once you accept that SS is basically charity given so that old folks don't starve, and that the gov't does not have the money to pay everyone back with interest, you will see that means testing is necessary. If we don't want the system to collapse.
Never believe a promise from the gov't to keep your money "safe" for you.