I’m 50 and pretty much planning for 0 SS to be around by the time I get there. Trying to make it on my own well enough that SS would just be my fun money to use on the kids/grandkids/vacations, etc.
That’s a wise approach in my opinion. That said, consider that the Congressional retirement benefit is 80% of salary ($174,000/year in 2016) for life! That’s $139,200/year for life - in addition to the other perks they have. Also consider that the median net worth for a Congressman exceeded $1 million already in 2013. Something is gravely wrong with this picture.