Here’s one for you.
This is very upsetting. I’m glad it turned out OK in the end, but look how much grief that Amish guy had to go through just to avoid getting “assistance” from the government. I would be willing to sign any document the government put in front of me stating I won’t accept any social security in exchange for letting me keep it and invest it myself. Even if I wind up with nothing. But that would never happen because even if I put the same amount in a simple savings account I’d retire quite well off.