Frankly it is a form of pension, funded by through a government insurance policy. but I don't believe any poltical party has said that what you put in is what you get, which would be more like an annuity vehicle such as an IRA account. The history of Social Security, both legislatively and legally, has been quite the opposite, since benefits can easily exceed contributions depending on one's longevity and likewise, survivor benefits can also exceed participant contributions. It's never been touted as a "savings" account.

Is there some particular Democrat that has made a contrary assertion?