Social Security has been limping along for years like an old car running on fumes. Every few months, experts warn that the system is on the brink of collapse, but politicians just kick the can further down the road and hope someone else will deal with it. Private retirement savings plans are not much better, plagued by inflation, fees, and the nagging feeling that even a lifetime of diligent saving may not be enough. If Social Security worked as intended maybe private retirements plans wouldn't even be needed. Enter Bitcoin, the digital wild card that just might be the unexpected hero in this financial saga.
Social Security in the US was a great idea, and many countries have similar programs to take care of their citizens when they reach a certain age. It is not really governments taking care of their citizens, but rather people working their entire lives and paying taxes specifically designated for the purposes of continuing to receive income when they leave the workforce when they become old. Not everybody can work forever, not should people be required to do so. These programs have honorable intentions and people are taxed heavily. Normally people do not mind contributing to this safety net for a common good and prosperity of the society. The problem is the mismanagement and corruption within government agencies that turn these programs into a game. Incompetence of properly manage and preserve the wealth of the people lead to financial discrepancies over time, then politicians to change the game but not really fix or improve the system.
Every once in a while we hear how Social Security in the US will go bankrupt and won't be able to make the payments to the future retirees. That looks like a scam. You tax people for their entire life with a promise of repaying, then all of the sudden the system fails and all you do is "Sorry, out of money". That is a cruel game. Even with system functioning now, I doubt the payments retirees receive is decent enough to provide normal lifestyle. Of course, the solution was many years ago to build private retirement accounts to supplement the shortcomings of the Social Security. While not taxed directly, these funds are removed from the monthly income to private funds, with hopes this time retirement money is managed better. These may have been good at some point in the past. But not they too start to fail and do not necessarily preserve the original value put into the funds. When market crashes happen, significants portions of these savings get wiped out. Global financial crisis of 2008 is a perfect example when many pension funds lost huge percentages. And then when economy is recovered and booming, the gains cannot even catch up with S&P earnings. This too has to do a lot with mismanagement and overall rigged systems.
At first glance, Bitcoin and Social Security may seem like an odd pairing. One is a government-backed safety net built in the days of rotary phones, and the other is a decentralized digital asset that barely existed two decades ago. But if you think about it, Bitcoin could be exactly what Social Security and private retirement accounts need to stay relevant and, more importantly, solvent. Not only I think bitcoin is the solution for these problems, but it seems it is inevitable for bitcoin to come for a rescue. Some may say it is too early to say, it is too early to test. Take any pension management fund balances for the last ten years, and replace half of their investments with bitcoin, and see the results for yourself. The numbers would be so high, there would be enough money to pay more taxes, and retire early for the participants of such pension plans. This can easily be backtested with any money management fund. I don't even think the number of year to go back even matters. Even starting such strategies five years ago would produce better results than what these funds managed to gain over time.
The biggest problem with Social Security is that it operates like an underfunded Ponzi scheme. It relies on younger workers paying into the system to support retirees, but with an aging population and fewer workers per retiree, the math looks grim. Bitcoin, with its fixed supply and deflationary nature, offers a way to hedge against this looming shortfall. If a portion of the Social Security Trust Fund were allocated to Bitcoin, it could potentially grow at a rate that outpaces inflation and the dwindling worker-to-retiree ratio. Instead of relying solely on tax dollars and government IOUs, Social Security could benefit from an asset that historically appreciates over time. If Bitcoin’s track record is any indication, this investment could do wonders for the program’s long-term viability even without a need to time the markets. After all, pension funds are long term strategies. In a longer term bitcoin does amazing things. Not only Social Security system would be saved, become solvent, but potentially it may become so profitable that the program would be able to offer luxurious lifestyles for the retirees at near zero costs to the governments. Also, over time the tax requirements from younger generations could be lowered as the fund continues to grow its value due to the scarce nature of the bitcoin.
Private retirement plans are facing a different, but equally troubling, set of issues. Traditional investments like bonds and stocks are susceptible to inflation, market crashes, and economic downturns. With people living longer than ever, retirement funds often need to stretch further, and conventional strategies may not be enough. Bitcoin, with its potential for exponential growth, offers an alternative path to securing a comfortable retirement. Yes, both Social Security and private pension funds can be fixed and improved thousand fold with bitcoin strategy. But also, there may not be a need to have two separate strategies for retirement. Either Social Security or private funds would be able to cover all expenses on their own without relying on the other to be an additional income. Since both serve the same goal, maybe Social Security alone could continue to serve this purpose, and individuals would always be able to invest in bitcoin on their own without a need for third party funds.
The key advantage of Bitcoin is its scarcity. Unlike fiat currency, which governments can print at will, there will only ever be 21 million Bitcoin. That makes it an ideal hedge against the devaluation of traditional currencies, which is a major problem for retirees living on fixed incomes. As inflation eats away at the purchasing power of pensions and 401(k)s, Bitcoin offers a way to store value over the long haul. Of course, Bitcoin’s volatility is the elephant in the room. No one wants to risk their entire retirement fund on an asset that can lose 30 percent of its value in a single week. But the key is balance and long term strategy. A modest allocation of Bitcoin within a diversified retirement portfolio can provide growth potential without exposing retirees to unnecessary risk, and since the goal is to collect funds or income sometime in the future, that gives plenty of time for bitcoin appreciate in value and make the monthly contributions gain value over time.
Social Security, with its notoriously cautious approach to finance, could benefit from a small percentage of its assets being held in Bitcoin. A gradual, carefully managed adoption could introduce long-term gains without jeopardizing the program’s stability. This would save Social Security. If nothing else, Bitcoin could act as an insurance policy against the inevitable shortfalls and funding gaps that Social Security will face in the coming decades. But more aggressive can produce even better results.
For younger workers, integrating Bitcoin into their retirement savings could be a game changer. Many millennials and Gen Z investors already see Bitcoin as a form of digital gold, a long-term store of value that will outlast traditional fiat currencies. If retirement accounts offered Bitcoin investment options alongside traditional stocks and bonds, it could attract a new generation of savers who are skeptical of conventional finance. This will play a significant role in the increase of the demand by the people for the adopting bitcoin strategies among varies money management funds for retirement. They are already recognizing this one, and I think, there are already playbooks and guidelines produced for such transition in coming years. This is phenomenon unique to the US, but rather the interest for bitcoin as retirements savings is growing around the world. In my opinion, in the near future competition among pension funds to accumulate bitcoin and bitcoin derivatives will accelerate, and will create a massive constantly growing demand. If this truly works, even if in theory, why wouldn't funds and governments consider this for their people? It would be negligent not to consider allocating some percentage of the portfolios.
Even employer-sponsored retirement plans could benefit from Bitcoin. Companies that include Bitcoin in their investment options may find it easier to attract and retain employees who want exposure to the asset. As major financial institutions continue warming up to Bitcoin, it is becoming harder to ignore its potential as a legitimate investment vehicle. Critics would argue that Bitcoin is too speculative and too volatile for retirement planning. But that argument ignores the reality that traditional markets are not exactly a beacon of stability either. Stocks crash, bonds lose value, and Social Security itself is on a trajectory that almost guarantees benefit cuts in the future. At least Bitcoin offers an alternative that is not directly tied to government mismanagement or central bank policies.
Adoption of Bitcoin within Social Security and private retirement plans would not happen overnight. It would require legislative changes, regulatory clarity, and a shift in public perception. But the wheels are already in motion. Major corporations, hedge funds, and even governments are beginning to embrace Bitcoin as a legitimate asset. It is only a matter of time before retirement planners and policymakers catch up. We already see many states considering bitcoin strategy reserve laws by the state lawmakers. I think the number of states working on such laws is more than a dozen now. Many of them considering this strategy with the goals of improving their retirement funds. This wouldn't solve Social Security or all pension funds, but at least at the State levels the interest is growing, and more politicians starting to understand the benefits.
Some might argue that relying on Bitcoin to save Social Security is wishful thinking. But the alternative is doing nothing and watching the program slowly unravel. At a time when trust in traditional institutions is at an all-time low, Bitcoin offers a transparent, decentralized, and mathematically sound alternative. It does not rely on promises from politicians or future generations of taxpayers. It simply exists, immune to manipulation. Imagine a future where retirees do not have to worry about the solvency of Social Security because a portion of its assets are backed by Bitcoin. Imagine private retirement accounts that actually keep up with inflation instead of barely limping along. That future is not as far-fetched as it sounds. Bitcoin may not single-handedly save Social Security and private retirement savings plans, but it certainly has the potential to help. The question is not whether Bitcoin should be a part of retirement planning, but how long it will take before the powers that be recognize what millions of investors already know, bitcoin is here to stay.
I think crypto in general will be good as retirement plan, even hive can become that!
It does sound like a good idea to have some BTC as I expect its price to go up over time, but I do think that they have to sell something to pay out the benefits. So I am skeptical about whether or not it can pay out everything while maintaining the value of the account's value. BTC is here to stay and I think it's valid to include BTC as part of their assets though.
True this is where. Products need to be built around this currency. So that owning it allows you the potential to borrow and use the money while managing to return value through on going transactions of chain. Say fees and the likes.
High retirement age and low pension make it insufficient for a retired person to live off. We need an alternative plan.
Wao good idea great post
The title, made me pause and open the blog. I am a BTC super fun.
Despite the high volatility of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general, I agree that Bitcoin has great potential to be part of retirement plans, especially when compared to the high inflation that occurs in local currencies.
Social security is like you said, an underfunded ponzi scheme. The decrease in the number of employees, the lack of an increase in the young population, and the increase in the old population seem to make things even more difficult.
Well written and well thought article. Social security has suffered due to how poorly it’s been managed for a long time.
Quite insightful and a sign that we have a long way to go. What I am seeing the D.O.G.E do is what they think the government should run for capitalists.
We need such thoughts and ideas. But they should not end here. They have to be enacted upon.
Private retirement plans, like insurance have been converted into cash cows to fund businesses and there ambitions of where they think they can throw money and hope it will be made back, buy magic. Given their investments are week ones and not aimed at true growth to benefit the people contributung.
Bitcoin supply is very limited and it also affected by a global uncertainties. We have witnessed, such event in the last pandemic were BTC price plummeted nearly $3,000 each. Stock market and even altcoin bleed, while silver and gold stays strong those time.
However, after the pandemic, Bitcoin recovery skyrocketed while some altcoin including HIVE survive. In my honest opinion, we can't conclude what is best as of the moment. That 21 million BTC is not enough for a billion population all over the world. BTC might be an exchange of value in large qualities or a safety deposits that appreciates it's value overtime, during peacetime. Better than any retirement plan for sure.
If we begin to ask around, Hive will be part of their retirement plans
It’s a very good one and that’s the effect of BTC
A thought in this direction opens up other dynamics of Difi, that are much needed for crypto to become solution for the worlds problems.
Social security is a great idea and campaigning too. Execution and the heart of the people assigned to manage it for the general public, acts other wise when in power.
With the growing adoption of cryptocurrency, it wouldn't be a bad idea. For me, I will set up my kids trust fund in cryptocurrency and give them the keys at 21.
I think finding a way of making BTC a store of value. Whose ecosystem has a solution looking into this solution based on the BTC principle would be a better solution.however, I appreciate you line of thinking and more should dig around this
True, however I ther block chains built specifically for this and built on solid fundermental that will see these funds grow to become inflation proof to able to service those that have been contributing. Like staking.
I never knew the tax paid is a result of paying retired old folks I thought maybe its the government genrocity paying folks, i guess nothing good comes out from the pockets of those incharge, there must always be corruption though no matter the situation
I see your point but we are not even close for that to work. Governments can use it to distroy the retirement fund because of public perception. You just got to look at the Canadian pension fund, they got into Bitcoin years ago and around 2022 the government used that for their political narrative that Bitcoin is bad when Bitcoin crashed. The pension fund lost a lot of money when they dumped it to support their narative at the time. It wasn't publicly known that they bought into Bitcoin until they used it to publicly bash Bitcoin. It will only work when the government stops using it as plitical talking point.
This is a bold and thought-provoking take on how Bitcoin could potentially revolutionize retirement planning.I appreciate your thorough analysis of the challenges facing Social Security and private retirement funds,and your exploration of how Bitcoin's unique properties could offer a solution.While the idea of Bitcoin saving Social Security might seem like a stretch to some,your arguments are compelling and well-supported.I'm particularly interested in your points about Bitcoin's scarcity and its potential to hedge against inflation.It's definitely a topic worth discussing further,and I'm curious to see how the conversation unfolds.
yup.. Kick that can!
but GO BTC!! 😉😎👊
Thank you for sharing. Honestly such a thought has not crossed my mind before.
Btc is good to buy. Accumulate a bit it soon adds up !
Nice
Smooth and insightful read, thank you for sharing.
Dukelove loves this post. Here to leave some love on a well thought out, well articulated, body of work.
Whether they like it or not, bitcoin will still be adopted by many because it is the future
Bitcoin is the financial currency
nothing will save social security