[MIchaelTArchangel]

When social security Old Age and Survivors Insurance Program (notice there is no mention of retirement) was first begun, the age at which a purchase could draw the insurance benefits was 67. The average life expectancy was 64. What Congress needs to do is to peg social security benefits age to three years more than the average life expectancy AND to remind people that social security is NOT a retirement program.

[rabscuttle385]

to remind people that social security is NOT a retirement program.

Hell, let's just call it for what it really is: another income tax!

[ladyjane]

remind people that social security is NOT a retirement program.

You can say that again.

[Richard Kimball]

What Congress needs to do is to peg social security benefits age to three years more than the average life expectancy AND to remind people that social security is NOT a retirement program.

There's a problem with this. First, a lot of people are not capable of working at age 81. Second, with automation, there are currently more workers than jobs. In the 1880s, around 75% of all Americans made their living from agriculture of some sort. Now, it's around 3%. There is the manufacturing capacity right now to put every driver in a new car every three years. There simply are not enough jobs for that many workers.

[Henry Hnyellar]

“When social security Old Age and Survivors Insurance Program (notice there is no mention of retirement) was first begun, the age at which a purchase could draw the insurance benefits was 67. The average life expectancy was 64. What Congress needs to do is to peg social security benefits age to three years more than the average life expectancy AND to remind people that social security is NOT a retirement program.”

You forgot to mention the tax rate when it was first begun: 2 percent. It is now 12.4 percent. Just sayin.......