Opting out of SS to direct your own investments?

[fsa]

A relatively short, mainly non-ranting post from Andy on the possible dangers for most individuals if they were able to opt out of SS and direct their own investments like a 401(k) http://forums.soa.org/thread.jspa?threadID=1249&tstart=0

[Salzmann]

My concern would be that the usual cast of characters would come out of the woodwork and market to people who don't understand investing.

But, I'd certainly take the option of investing a portion of my contributions. As it is, I'm 99% certain that by the time I retire SS will be needs-based and I won't get anything.