A new survey by Sun Life Financial found that 48 percent of American workers would opt out of Social Security, even if doing so meant the loss of future Social Security benefits. Given the decline in the stock market over the past year, as well as the defeat of personal account-based Social Security reforms in 2005, this is a startlingly high number.

Startling? Well, I dunno. When you consider that most people don't think SS will be around when they retire, it's not so surprising at all. It's what you get when you ask people if they want to contribute to a plan that won't benefit them. And after years of being falsely told by the political enemies of Social Security that SS is dooooommmed(!), it's not surprising people don't think it will be around for them.

On the other hand, 56 percent of investors supported allowing private investment accounts for Social Security - that is, putting their SS taxes into the stock market - in 2004. I wonder how many would support that today ?