But raising the value of the trust fund is, in this respect, pointless.

FORBES: Why Social Security Can't go Bankrupt: Rerun

Vanguard Group's Retirement Savings Trust stable-value fund, for example, had more than 9% in cash at the end of March, whereas longer term the firm would like to have only a 3% to 5% cash stake, says Sue Graef, a principal at the firm.

WSJ: Stable-Value Funds Look Shakier

Starboard Investment Trust: Roumell Opportunistic Value Fund (RAMVX) is my worst-rated all-cap blend mutual fund and earns my very dangerous rating.

FORBES: Turn Off The TiVo And Get Some Bed, Bath In Your All-Cap Blend Funds

Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is my top-rated all-cap blend ETF and FundVantage Trust: Formula Investing US Value Select Fund (FNSIX) is my top-rated all-cap blend mutual fund.

FORBES: Turn Off The TiVo And Get Some Bed, Bath In Your All-Cap Blend Funds

In the second-quarter report for Mr. Miller's flagship Legg Mason Value Trust, Freddie is listed as the fund's second-weakest performer, with a 35% loss, just shy of the 39% loss by American International Group Inc.

WSJ: Winners Exist in Fannie-Freddie Rescue

Westcore Trust: Westcore Small-Cap Value Fund (WISVX) is my top-rated small-cap value mutual fund and earns my neutral rating.

FORBES: Tough To Find Quality In Small-Cap Value Funds

The Defenders of Wildlife have a trust fund which compensates (at full market value) any rancher who loses livestock.

ECONOMIST: Endangered species

Another: former mutual fund impresario William Miller, whose Legg Mason Value Trust bet on cheap-looking financial institutions on their way to getting far cheaper.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The answer is that the trust fund is populated with special non-marketable securities whose value is not subject to the vicissitudes of the market.

FORBES: A Modest Proposal to Avoid Debt Limit Disaster