yeah, sorry for the hostility - when someone who has an honest to god pension and can retire after 30 years complains, I get very angry. Probably more my problem than yours.
As for you points:
1) I, and all private sector workers, also have to save 14% of our incomes if we hope to retire with anything resembling our current incomes. So we also have less to 'play with.' But we don't get a 14% match, so you are WAY ahead on that point. And yes, I do know how hard it is. I have to also worry about the bloody stock market crashing, while your money is guaranteed by the state.
2) I don't have that 'extra' 8% at all - it is in my 401k and IRAs, which I have to manage in my spare time and pray for good stock/bond performance.
3) sounds like you are saying more 'I can't save more than 14%' so if the MO plan goes away I am dead.' Well, ok. You are. But the chance of that is pretty small. The chance of private sector workers mishandling their own 401k is about 1,000% more likely.
4) no, you shouldn't pay into ss if you don't receive the benefits. But your take home is certainly larger than everyone else's on the same gross income. And you are outside the 'compact between generations,' as a priviledged class, which is not good for national unity.
5)Here's the bottom line math:
I am saving 6% into SS, PLUS 15% into a 401k. That is 21% of my gross. (and you complain about 14%!) I have a 3% match, so I get 24% saved.
YOU save 14% and get 28%. Again: Me: 21% gets me 24%. You: 14% gets you 28%.
my master point is that retiring people in their 50s is not sustainable in a time where people live into their 80s.