re: In just a few years, the average retiree will be receiving 37% more in SS than he paid in

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Yup. It has always been 100% up to the whims of Congress. And there has never been any sort of guaranteed payout.

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He's right. Here is the quote from FDR when he signed the bill into law.

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This social security measure gives at least some protection to thirty millions of our citizens who will reap direct benefits through unemployment compensation, through old-age pensions

we have tried to frame a law which will give some measure of protection to the average citizen and to his family against the loss of a job and against poverty-ridden old age.

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As a follow up in 1937 he pushed for these reforms to it:

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5. To permit persons now 60 and over to continue working through 1941 to qualify upon retirement for monthly old-age annuities instead of receiving small lump sum payments. A great gain all around.

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In 1938:

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I am particularly anxious that the Board give attention to the development of a sound plan for liberalizing the old-age insurance system. In the development of such a plan I should like to have the Board give consideration to the feasibility of extending its coverage, commencing the payment of old-age insurance annuities at an earlier date than January 1, 1942, paying larger benefits than now provided in the Act for those retiring during the earlier years of the system, providing benefits for aged wives and widows, and providing benefits for young children of insured persons dying before reaching retirement age. It is my hope that the Board will be prepared to submit its recommendations before Congress reconvenes in January.

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LINK



To say that it was never guaranteed is not true. It was always sold as that to the American public. Like the system or not isn't the point.