What is social security really for?

[Joe Blazenski <jblaze@teleport.com>]

Currently, I see social security as an unfocused program.

It is says it is a "leg of the retirement chair" and a 
disability program.

OK, but what does it really do now.  It gives money to folks
who are older or very badly disabled based upon a formula of
earnings over a lifetime.

So currently, this is not a welfare system program, though
much of this discussion seems to think it is because the
formulas shrink payments to those with lots of current income
(not money).

What do we really WANT from social security?

I am personally requiring the income when I retire because it
has taken so much of my resources.  But I would really like to 
have a system that gives income based upon need rather than
income and let my personal savings and retirement programs
work for the majority of the people.

Thoughts?