Take the lump sum, quickly. I did when I left after 18 years of employment.
But beware my previous post. When the financial catastrophe of social security really begins, the government will confiscate your money anyway. After all, you, with your private savings, will be the "ants" in the minority, and the "majority" of grasshoppers will vote themselves to your money.
However, the even the weasels of Washington cannot confiscate what they cannot find. No one **has** to keep assets in the US, right? And setting up another identity, say Australian for preference, is child's play (if one doesn't intend to live in Australia, at least).
Merely offering a thought here...
Swiss bank accounts or other protected havens, such as Caribbean island accounts, should help here.
"When the financial catastrophe of social security really begins, the government will confiscate your money anyway. After all, you, with your private savings, will be the "ants" in the minority, and the "majority" of grasshoppers will vote themselves to your money."
That's why you should convert some of your assets into copper-jacketed lead and brass. And a home in the country.