Govie Long Bonds were yielding from 9 to over 14 for close to a decade and one half. Short term paper, say 91 day, was yielding 20 plus. Average your contributions, from the late seventies through the late nineties, you're looking at 12+% compounded. Even though max was capped at 50 large (or less) through the late eighties ... 15.3, from dollar one ... I'm owed millions. Most boomers have millions owed to them. Where did our money go? To the "Greatest Generation".