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To: CurlyDave
Anyone who has even a little education in finance knows about the “time value of money”. A simple concept that a dollar today is worth more than a dollar a year from today. For secure transactions it usually shows up as an interest rate.

The break-even tables are calculated ignoring the time value of money, almost as if the government skipped class that day. But, if I am even one day late paying them a tax, that department knows all about the time value of money and I am charged interest for making a late payment.

If one accounts for any realistic interest rate, the break even dates get later and later...

They explain that away by pointing to the cost of living (COLA) adjustments made to SSA payments. That makes up for part, but not all, of the time value you mention.

186 posted on 12/31/2017 4:47:47 PM PST by Interesting Times (WinterSoldier.com. SwiftVets.com. ToSetTheRecordStraight.com.)
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To: Interesting Times
...They explain that away by pointing to the cost of living (COLA) adjustments made to SSA payments. That makes up for part, but not all, of the time value you mention...

If they were awake that day in econ 101, they know that the COLA makes up for NONE of the the time value of money.

Economists usually separate the two effects. However, in the real world, interest rates usually combine the two. There are exceptions: iBonds and Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) are both US Government debt instruments which explicitly account for TVM and inflation separately.

The bottom line is that the SS break-even calculation is a scam perpetrated by the government on the least financially sophisticated people in our society.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Personally, I claimed at 62, the earliest possible age, both because I understand TVM and I also understand the returns on investments in stocks. By leaving my personal money invested and living on the government's nickel I have done quite a bit better over the years than I would have done otherwise.

There are other reasons to claim early -- money in my personal account is inheritable, SS ends when I pass, and my children get nothing.

Also, SS will run out of money in the ~2031 time frame, most likely earlier. I expect benefits will be reduced. It is politically much more difficult to reduce benefits that have started than to delay benefits that have not yet started. Take your money at the earliest opportunity.

204 posted on 12/31/2017 6:27:09 PM PST by CurlyDave
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