Social Security Individual Opt Out

Please explain to me why I should be punished by the government for being a hard worker and for being responsible for the needs of myself and my family. One option that I have not heard being discussed for the revamping of Social Security is an Individual Opt Out of the Social Security system with a Quit Claim for contributions to this point and benefits in the future. I have been contributing to the Social Security system for 26 years but I would be willing to lose all of the money I have contributed so far if I could quit paying the 12.4% of my income right now and direct that money as I would like.

The Social Security system, with contributions and benefits as currently configured, is a complete rip-off for me and others like me. I am required to contribute 12.4% of my current income and I have been contributing since I was 15 years old. I intend on working until I am physically or mentally unable to work. I also pay for both long term and short term disability insurance so that if I become incapacitated before retirement I am protected. I contribute another 6% of my income to a 401k fund so that I can reduce my work when I get to retirement age but I will probably never formally retire. Social Security benefits are severely limited for people that continue to work so I will probably never even get back what I put into Social Security.

I realize that if I and others like myself left the system there would be a shortfall in revenue to pay the current retirees. That money should be provided by general tax revenue and cover only those people that would like to be in the system. This revenue could be included when the current Income Tax system is revised to a Flat Income Tax or a National Consumption tax.

The government should never penalize a citizen for hard work and personal responsibility and that is what the current system does. This rewards the irresponsible at the expense of the responsible which is just Socialism by a different name.