Originally Posted by GrantMercury

JFC. Your car insurance DOES work in the same way - you're paying into a pool that spreads the risk over all who are insured by that particular company. The difference, of course, is that the pool is far smaller than the federal programs, and they're run for profit. Do you resent when your car insurance company pays a big claim to someone else they're insuring? After all, the company is paying it, in part, with YOUR money. Is that welfare?

As far as Social Security retirement benefits, if you live long enough, you'll collect. Simple. And as for SSI disability insurance, you're paying into the system, and you're entitled to the benefits if you ever need them. Pray you never need them, though. If you ever do, some asshole will probably look down their nose at you and consider you a welfare recipient living off of their hard work.