Try your calculation again, but this time skip the DCF calculation and just sum the payments. The government did not invest your money, nor did they put it in a savings account, so you should just total the payments.
You will see that your present SS payments will quickly exceed the amount you paid. SS is, indeed, an entitlement program.
Inflation will do that.
You will see that your present SS payments will quickly exceed the amount you paid. SS is, indeed, an entitlement program.
So I should just total the payments? Are you a special ed graduate of public schools?
The gummint DID indeed invest my money, it is just that I didn't receive credit for the investment.
When the gummint buys land, issues bonds or participates in any kind of fiscal activity, they are investing my money.
Adding up the payments made by me over a 40 plus year period and saying that is the value of my money is ridiculous, even my 11 year old grand daughter under stands the concept of time/value of money.
Can I go to a car dealer, agree to pay $24,000 for the car and then tell him I'll make payments of $50/month for 40 years?
You know, or should know, the meaning of present value and if you don't, the banks, have been eating your lunch, and you deserve it.