Q: After reading how awful Social Security is, is there any way out? I'm willing to give up all the money I've already sunk into this rat hole, but can I?

A: A long time ago, I wrote a book called Tax Free: All the Legal Ways to be Exempt from Federal, State and Social Security Taxes. Needless to say, it was a very short book. In a chapter on Social Security, I listed half a dozen ways to get out of Social Security. But then along came Social Security reform in 1983, led by Alan Greenspan, who closed most of the loopholes and sharply raised FICA taxes. (He refused to even consider privatization of the system.)

What's left? The best way to get out of Social Security, short of renouncing your citizenship and moving to a tax haven, is to create a fortune in stocks, bonds and real estate, and live off "unearned" income. Interest, dividends, and rents are not subject to FICA. At the same time, you'll still qualify for Social Security when you retire based on previous earnings. A better strategy is to elect real tax reformers.