Well, now that I am collecting, I reckon that the first 10-12 years, I am just getting back what I paid in while I was working. Then you can have various experts determine how many years after that is just getting back the lost earnings on what I could have made if I had control of my SS/FICA contributions while I was working.
Unless, of course, you want to offer me a cash settlement today. Will the proceeds have to be channeled through a Prince in Nigeria?
No, but if you had been able to put this in a properly structured 401K, you'd be a multi-millionairre....and you could pass it on as part of your estate.