"and it is but this hand-to-mouth retired element that should at all receive Social Security upon retirement " There are several questions that need to be answered before such a strong assertion can be made reasonably. I assume you have all the answers. 1. Is it the role of government to step in? 2. If so what level of government? 3. Are you assuming SS is a national program when you make this claim? 4. How do you prevent a moral hazard? 5. What about reasonable rates of return? 6. What about survivor benefits? 7. How are assets to be managed if this is a government program?