Because it will be long gone by the time I become of age. On the teachers pension, one funny thing that a lot of people probably don't know about STERS. Teachers (CA at least not sure about other states) don't pay social security, but CALPERS employees do. Now because I do have CALPERS, even though I paid 100% into social security, if I do get it, it will be reduced by 33%. Strange right? I don't even plan on that pension being there either. I am building a separate retirement from the Government in order to ensure I can retire some day.