Bill Sucevic said he is investing about 10 percent of his income each year to retire comfortably.

He isn't counting on Social Security.

Sucevic, 29, of South Park, said he considers the government's safety net -- established in 1935 -- a "Ponzi scheme" that likely won't be available when he retires.

David Wise, 46, of Blawnox, however, said he expects half of his retirement income to come from Social Security when he begins collecting in about 20 years.

"I'd be very upset if they pushed back the retirement age or reduced benefits," he said.

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan revived the debate in congressional testimony this week over how to keep the federal retirement system from going bankrupt at some point this century. Social Security is projected to collapse as the number of retirees begins to outpace the number of active workers funding the system.

The problem is exacerbated in Western Pennsylvania. About 1.5 million people -- or nearly 63 percent of the population in the 10-county metropolitan statistical area -- will reach retirement age in the next quarter century, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.

Greenspan recommended gradually raising the retirement age and pegging the cost-of-living adjustment for retirement benefits to inflation, instead of consumer prices. Inflation generally does not rise as much as consumer prices.

According to the Social Security Administration, future retirees need about 70 percent of their pre-retirement income to maintain their present lifestyle.

Individuals are advised to make separate plans for their retirement and to rely on Social Security for no more than 40 percent of their post-retirement income.

Since Social Security's birth 70 years ago, some lower-income people have come to rely on the program almost exclusively.

Vincent A. Kane, 34, of Brighton Heights, resents such a reliance.

Kane, a financial planner with American Advisors Group in Brighton Heights, said he follows the advice he gives his clients -- to fund their Individual Retirement Accounts and other investments, rather than relying on Social Security.

"People came to rely on it (Social Security) and stopped taking care of themselves," Kane said. "I really have a problem with the generation before us. They didn't save a dime. The youth of today is paying for their retirement."

Workers today have 6.2 percent of their income deducted from their payroll for the Social Security program -- which their employers match -- for a total contribution of 12.4 percent of income.

Bob Fragasso, president of Fragasso Financial Advisors financial-planning firm in Pittsburgh, said he doesn't factor in Social Security benefits when doing retirement plans for clients younger than 45.

Although 60 years ago there were 40 people employed for every retiree, there now are only a little more than 3 people working to support each retiree, Fragasso said. That ratio is expected to drop to 2-to-1 in the next decade.

"The primary culprit is the fact the system currently depends on Treasury bond yields to move it forward," he said. "A 5 percent rate of return is not sufficient to grow the (Social Security Trust) fund to cover the demographics we know are occurring."

Fragasso said the system needs to empower individuals to choose where they put their money.

"We need to take a portion of the fund for younger people and put it in equity investments in solid companies and real estate -- which is no different than any good retirement plan," he said.

Ed Cavanaugh, 42, of Hopewell, Beaver County, said he will rely upon the 401(k) plan he pays into, rather than Social Security, when he retires.

The mortgage broker with Carnegie Financial in Carnegie said he doesn't believe Social Security will be around when he retires.

"I would rather set myself up than worry about the government taking care of me," he said.

The former regional manager for Culligan said he is considering other investments -- an action that might be expedited by the news that Social Security could be cut or reduced for future retirees.

Bill Paranzino, 45, of Castle Shannon, said he aims to retire at 65 -- no sooner, no later.

Paranzino said he also doesn't aim to rely on Social Security. But he hopes he at least gets something back with what he has paid into the program.

A bill collector with Allegheny Recovery Services in Carnegie, Paranzino said he believes the government should supply everybody with their own savings account to deposit their contributions to Social Security. That way, each person is guaranteed to recoup their own investments.

Until that happens, Paranzino said, he will consider looking into other investments.

"There's enough things to worry about today, " he said, "let alone how you'll survive when you're 60 years old."

Michael Yeomans and Erik Siemers can be reached at myeomans@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7908.