Jim, very profound post. JC, you should listen to Jim. Anyway, If I were given the option to opt out, I probably would, however, I do not see that as an option. My goal is to make my SS check my "beer money" as Jim stated and not be dependant on it. I am currently agressively saving and investing so that this will be the case. I'm not a big fan of socialist programs either, but there is good and bad in everything. We live in the greatest country in the world for a reason.
