[Hugh R]

BOTH parties have mentioned "means-testing" for SS in the future. So if you saved in an IRA/401k, their approach may well be to limit what they pay you in SS, regardless of whether you paid in the maximum every year or not. Seizing IRA/401k monies would not surprise me at all. The penalties for not taking IRA/401k withdrawls when you are required to can be very substantial, like 50% plus whatever taxes you owed. The government is NOT your partner in your pension fund.