Moneyist Column Reiterates S&P 500 SS Hypothetical Risks Amid 2026 New Highs

MarketWatch's May 1 Moneyist column continues cautioning that a reader's $4 million S&P 500 hypothetical from Social Security contributions (or $3.7 million excluding employer share) ignores equity volatility, despite 2026 record highs and assumed 7-8% returns enabling $30,000 monthly withdrawals. The debate originated with two April 30 articles contrasting stocks' outperformance against Social Security's low-risk special-issue Treasuries in OASI and SSDI trusts. They highlight OASI's projected shortfall by 2033 versus SSDI solvency to 2099, underscoring privatization policy hurdles and the returns-versus-security tradeoff.