Quote from 151:
However unlikely it may be, if 401k and iIRA money is taken over, what is the most likely way it would be handled?
Would all access to that money be cut off?
Would only the cash be cut off?
What if I own, in my ira, a real estate company? Will some goverment office actually have acces to my rental property and I might not?
As unlikely as says nationalization of the banks.
If the federal government fully controls the vaults where the assets are stored..how much farther is it to control the assets.
And remember.. the pain will be so bad you will want them to nationalize. When you have nothing to retire on.. what do you care if the government offers the devils pact of a guaranteed retirement account if you turn over your pension.
Right now its a call to arms..next years it your last best hope.
This is how socialism creeps in. People who are willing to sell their children's prosperity and freedoms for the benefits of today.
To address directly your concerns of how nationalization would work.
IMF has a study as one of the required acts in a meltdown along with capital controls,
also see how Argentina just did it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/business/worldbusiness/22argentina.html?ref=business
Argentina Nationalizes $30 Billion in Private Pensions
They did it to protect citizens.
"According to the plan, all the assets in individual accounts would be transferred to the stateâs âpay as you goâ system, and affiliation to the state system would be mandatory, effectively putting an end to the current dual system."
Bottom line it will be a combo of
- revoking the tax deferred status, thereby confiscating all due taxes,
- Offer a carrot approach of maintaining your tax deferral or just outright make non taxable by converting to a government account, with stronger capital restriction, and a very meager return well blow the inflation rate .
- Our nationalize all gains and you can withdraw principal and be taxed.
- If not enough people go with the plan, look for those who oppose it to painted as greedy wall streeters and mutual funds, how want to simply make money from your pensions.