Until the Reagan "reformed" of Social Security in 1984, SST was much smaller than it is today. People that have retired in the last 15 years and collect past age 75... Social Security is a darn good annuity payment. For Gen Xer's and late baby boomers, they are screwed. I'm screwed and not even counting on SS for my retirement years.
But forget the Math, can anyone deny the Social Security is grossly unconstitutional to begin with? Is this statement stupid? Am I smoking something? Tell me how/where the congress has the power compulsory to make its citizens contribute to a retirement system that the citizen has NO property interest in and I will admit to smoking crack and admit my ignorance on constitutional matters.
Now let's discuss Medicare. Medicare from its beginning has been nothing more than a huge wealth transfer. The Great Society framers made no bones about this fact. Then to make matters worse, a financially broke system increased benefits in 2004 with Medicare Part D. This benefit was demanded by the elderly and the GOP caved in so Bush could win Florida in 2004. Medicare/Medicaid has already "socialized" half of the entire US health system. Now the retirees in this country seem to be worried about the constitution when their hand out will be cut by $500 billion. Again, explain to me how medicare is constitutional and how the elderly seem to now how religion about constitutional constructionalism.
All your other questions might have relevance but for that particular piece of our legal history.