To date, you must admit, even at at deficit, the SS checks have been paid, through 75 plus years. So, to date, SS is not a scam. By math, if someone wanted their SS contributions at an early age (21 yeas old) , it is an equivalent of four years at age 66 1/2 on SS payroll (to break even). If you do no not live to 70 years old, it is a bad beat (for the individual taking SS). But the spouse can claim the higher benefits. That adds to the what if question. SS is a plus if a couple can get past 60 years of age.

A scam usually has one entity taking advantage over another individual. Social Security does not do this. If this was a scam, they would be worried about a deficit. Again, I will repeat the statement, if Social Security was a scam they would have a surplus and indiscretions would be published (not that a surplus is wrong).

My personal raw breakeven is 70 1/2 years old. I hope I add to the deficit. I want to be "above equal".