I suspect there will be a compromise on SSI

[Perky]

First of all, insolvency is inevitable if you do nothing.
But secondly Republicans will never want to cut Social security because of the way it plays to their base which is older and nearer to retirement or already retired. They do not want to hand Florida to the Dems for the next three elections which is what they would do if they require cuts.

They will agree to removing the high end cap on contributions and they will get and incremental increase on the retirement age in return,

They will not get privatization, but you will be able to buy something like tax-deductible social security bonds that will mature at age 65. The question will be is how with those dollars be invested so that their can be a guaranteed return and the government can make money of the investment.

[bluestateguy]

1. Can you explain high end cap on contributions?

Are you referring to the payroll tax that maxes out at your first $106,000 of income.

[Perky]

2. yep

[bluestateguy]

3. I would favor a higher cap, or even lifting it completely

I am even open to means testing, depending on what kind of specific proposal is made.

But raising the retirement age is a deal breaker for me.

[msongs]

4. you forgot any evidence that insolvency is inevitable. oh well, maybe next time nt

[DCKit]

5. Nothing wrong with the way SSI is "privatized" into Treasury Bonds....

except our thieving Congress uses it as their personal piggy bank, and doesn't want to pay it back.

By all means, let's hand it off to Wall St. as soon as possible. What could POSSIBLY go wrong?