When Social Security was "designed" to be a retirement supplement, the burden was 1%. In 1967, it was only 2%. In 1968, it kicked up to 2.5%, as the extra half of a percent was for Medicare (Title Act 19 went into effect, July 1, 1966). Since Reagan, the combined burden has been 15.3%. If prevailing rates of interest had been paid on that 15.3% (remember 21% 90 T-bills and the 30 year Long Bonds yielding around 15%?), most baby boomers wouldn't have a need for Social Security or Medicare ... They'd be multi-millionaires.