[quote=bearishgurl]
Actually, I think we should have the option of taking a lump sum of our contributions at 62. I’ve seen too many people die after working their entire lives without collecting a dime (exc spouse $250 benefit).

[/quote]

I have problems with that option, but almost that exact thing happened to my dad. He paid in maximum every single year from when FICA began (save for 2 years in the service during WWII) until he was 70. At that time, if you were still working and earning a living, you couldn’t collect until 70. He got exactly one check. And died.