SS plays a vital role. The major problem with SS is that Congress will not leave the funds alone and "borrows" from the fund for other budgetary matters.
There are some folks I would not trust to carry my groceries. Sure they have perhaps a basic good idea but are just not competent enough to do the job.
Basically.... Approximately 7.6% or so is deducted from your check for SS. Employer pays same amount in. If you earn 50k per year, that is roughly $7,500 per year into your account. If Congress would stop borrowing these funds and allow SSA to properly manage these investement accounts with millions of folks in them -- many can have an excellent retirement. Think of the interest income in and of itself that could be generated. The problem is Congress not Social Security.
I just don't trust Bush to lead the way on this.
If we had a more comprehensive health care plan that would help alleviate some of the problems in regards to medical care costs associated with SS, etc.
I have little patience nowadays for elected officials that have their hand up and out and their head up their #$%#$%$.
Bob