Hey Oblabber mouth... how about pols in DC stop raiding the SS funds.... whatever excess surplus now generated into SS stays as an adjunct fund that compounds with interest over time. An account that earns interest compounded would eliminate any need for extra taxes collected and further burden the younger generation. Americans pay ENOUGH Taxes already.
Ok...just where do you suggest that the Treasury invest those excess funds? A bank? Not many banks could handle the sums you are talking about. How about investing it in the stock market. If you think the market get nervous now when major institutional investors jigger around with their portfolios a bit, just wait till the fund manager for the Social Security Trust realigns his portfolio. Under the front porch in a Mason jar? Nope, no interest.
The only real way for the Federal government to invest "surplus" cash is to pay down existing debt. The interest you didn't have to pay on that debt would be your return.
Regards,
GtG