I built a quick model to compare IRR of contributions vs. benefits using the numbers in the Bloomberg article and income distribution reports[1]. With some mas

I built a quick model to compare IRR of contributions vs. benefits using the numbers in the Bloomberg article and income distribution reports[1]. With some massive assumptions (that I can enumerate if anyone is interested), the Bottom 20% quintile gets a 6.5% IRR on lifetime benefits vs. contributions. The Top 20%, by comparison, gets a 1.7% IRR. So despite "the rich taking more", the system is still very progressive. Just, perhaps, not quite as progressive as it used to be—but certainly not "proportionate" or "disproportionate" in favor of the wealth. To give you a sense, had a Top 20%-er turning 65 in 2016 invested his or her SS contributions over the years in a Dow Jones Index Fund, the value of their investment would be $1.1M... versus the $290k lifetime benefit they would receive from the government. (It's pretty much a wash for a Bottom 20%-er: their DJI investment would be worth $136k vs. $130k in SS Lifetime Benefits). [1] https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/113th-congress-2013-2014/reports/49440-Distribution-of-Income-and-Taxes-2.pdf https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/113th-congress-2013-...