Can the laws of Social Security be changed to what they were when I began to contribute to it?

I believe there should be grandfather clause to cover Social Security. When I began to contribute back in 1976, the laws allowed for payment to be at the age of 65, and you could collect it while collecting from another retirement fund. If I began to contribute to a 10K, and suddenly I found out the rules changed, I would be mad. Well, now I find out that there is no "double dipping". I must deplete all retirement funds before I can apply for social security. Also, according to my birth year, I cannot apply until I am 67 years and 10 months old. I do not know who came up with these changes, but if they can be done, they can also be undone. I think it would be fair to either (1) give me all contributions from Social Security back, or (2) change the rules to apply only to those who began contributions after the laws were changed. How would I begin either process?

I got the information about double dipping from an Social Security Representative. Yes, IF it were a 401 or 10K, I could do it, but this pension plan is one supported by the state, (such as ones for teachers) and most state/county/city employees. In fact, all civil employees that are not federal, come to think of it.

LOL...join the club...in order to keep the upcoming "baby-boomer" geezers in SS...the younger generation will 1. Pay more, 2. Retire later, 3. Get NOTHING as the system will probably be broke by the time you get to 67....but I do wish you luck...you might make it as you've got about 10 yrs on me...and remember...it's the GOVERNMENT...they can do anything they please, with no concern for what individuals want...

Any law can be changed, but this isn't a "law" per say.

And come on, You don't begin any process, as being someone older than 45-50 should know. This is a governmental decision, and changes were made to Social Security more than 10 years ago. The only option you have as a voting citizen is to write to your state representatives.

FYI - they will never vote to "give you all contributions" - that's ludicrous.

First of all, you don't know what you're talking about in reference to "double dipping." You do not need to deplete your retirement savings before collecting SS. Who told you that? "Double dipping" refers to certain state and local government employees who have their own state/local government pension plans, do not contribute to SS, but are still eligible for SS due to contributions they made to SS before they began their SS-exempt employment. (Teachers and police, for example.) They can collect SS, but the payments will be offset by what they receive from their state-sponsored retirement distributions.

If you have an IRA or 401K, or company-sponsored pension, there is absolutely no rule that prohibits you from collecting SS.

Next, as far as what's fair: Join the club. Life's not fair, so deal with it, or write your congressman to have the system changed. It won't be changed, though, because SS is a Ponzi scheme that, by definition, will run out of money unless there are drastic changes to the distribution rules.