They take the money away now so they can give the money back to you (and then some) when you're old enough to receive it or poor enough to need it. It's called a "safety net" and it provides a number of secondary economic benefits: lowers pension burdens on employers, lowers medical costs for hospitals, lowers burdens (and consequently rates) for insurers, etc. etc. Safety nets offer a clearer picture of economic stability for the future, which helps people plan their future and invest long-term, which in turn has secondary benefits for the economy as a whole.. . Some question the long-term health and viability of Social Security. But honestly, do you think the self-centered Yuppie generation is going to let a program like Social Security die before they get what they think is coming to them? Based on politics alone, I can pretty much guarantee that S.S. will be around for a minimum of another 30-40 years.. . When Social Security was founded, over 50% of elderly Americans lived in poverty. Nowadays, that number is closer to 11%. I'd call that a mission accomplished. Just something to consider before bashing Social Security.