Sometimes it helps if you read the article. ;)
Our plan, put together by financial experts, was a “banking model” rather than an “investment model.” To eliminate the risks of the up-and-down stock market, workers’ contributions were put into conservative fixed-rate guaranteed annuities, rather than fluctuating stocks, bonds or mutual funds. Our results have been impressive: We’ve averaged about 6.5% annual rate of return over 24 years. And we’ve provided substantially better benefits in all three Social Security categories: retirement, survivorship, disability.
'the accounts are getting their guaranteed minimum of 3.75 or 4 percent interest, he said.'
The plan still requires all persons to contribute into a plan, instead of keeping your own money and investing as how you plan. There should be some opt out for any plan to allow for your own rise or fall.