Bee Dub: "1) if you don't contribute, you don't benefit and 2) once you opt out, you can never opt back in. Check that box and you're no longer part of the social welfare system. You'll pay less taxes, but you'll receive no benefits. You'll never be eligible for Social Security, Medicare, EBT (Food Stamps), unemployment assistance, educational assistance or any other sort of government help. If you lose your job, you starve. If you can't afford to send Junior to college, forget about a Pell Grant or guaranteed student loan. If you get sick and are unable to pay for care, you die.

Even faced with the possibility of such dire potential consequences, a large number of people would still choose to opt out. Why? Because they're greedy and are willing to take short-term gains over long-term security."

There is room for some ambiguity there, Bee D El. I don't know if it is still the case but the Amish got permission years ago to opt out of Social Security on the basis of taking care of their own and not benefiting from the larger pot.

I was going to respond to Melissa's rhetorical question but she and Amos wrapped it up beautifully. :)