I am not overly optimistic that there will be a very robust Social Security plan in place by the time I retire.
Worst-case: the whole thing is bankrupt and retirees get squat.
Best-case (in my opinion): I will be eligible for some moderately reduced and/or scaled-back program, compared to what's in place today.
The whole concept of Social Security is one very elaborate, very poorly-designed/planned/managed pyramid scheme.
At any rate, I found this site which can estimate/forecast/model the potential S.S. benefits that one should receive:
According to the data that I plugged in, I will have received $480k by age 82.
Sorry, I just do not see that happening.
Maybe I am wrong.
Hopefully I am wrong.
If I end-up getting back just 100% of what I paid in, I'll consider myself fortunate.
If I could pull those funds out today and get them into an IRA, I'd do that in a heartbeat.
Out for now......
Matt