Raising salaries or making legislators full-time isn't politically popular, so lawmakers instead arrange the pension system to provide greater benefits in retirement.

WSJ: State Politicians and the Public Pension Cookie Jar

The commission's draft report warned that the federal retirement system will begin paying out more in benefits than it receives in taxes in 2016.

CNN: Bush won't raise Social Security payroll limit

The public opposes raising Social Security taxes, cutting benefits, or hiking the retirement age to shore up the system.

CNN: Americans Skeptical About Social Security Crisis

The court found that the tax treatment on stock options, private retirement benefits and bearer bonds were all violations of the law under the French tax system.

FORBES: High Court Says 'Non' To Millionaire Tax in France

Why should we be satisfied with a system in which starting your own business means passing up employer-sponsored retirement benefits?

CNN: Clinton's October 9, 2007 speech on retirement security

California's immigrants also include a growing number of the elderly, who reach retirement without having paid into the system, poverty-stricken refugees, and illegal immigrants who are eligible for benefits until Proposition 187 has been endorsed by the courts.

ECONOMIST: Immigration