re: Is one major cause of wealth disparity a poor rate of return on social security?

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That's not the argument. The argument is increasing disparity.

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Then its a silly argument. Disparity isn't a measure of increasing/declining wealth, nor the ability to attain wealth.

The clear implication of the OP is that those of lower and middle classes would have the opportunity to be better off without SS.

Seemingly, giving the "lower class" more opportunity to earn more wealth is a better "solution" to disparity than making "the rich" poorer.

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The point is that the disparity, that is the increase in wealth for the wealthy and the lower classes comparatively.

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The rich have a far greater capacity to generate wealth. Of course they will get richer, faster. It's inevitable when the money supply is constantly increasing.

So what?

It doesn't mean the "lower classes" are poorer. Nor does it mean they are poorer than they would be, if the rich were made poorer.

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I still say that the working class's income hasn't increased at the same rate as the wealthier classes (whether it's stagnant or increasing is academic). That is the reason for the growth in wealth disparity imo

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I agree. When people make more money than others - the disparity increases. Seems like a trivial observation, more than a causal relationship.

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That is the reason for the growth in wealth disparity imo, not the rate of return on Social Security.

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Consider that payroll taxes start at the first dollar earned. If you're saying giving "the poor" an across the board 12.4% pay increase over their entire lifetime wouldn't have the potential to significantly increase their net worth... I don't know what to say.

Seems obvious. Opportunity costs are real.

Given the time value of money most retirees could have more money, and better quality of life had they had the chance.