I think the best way to handle that would be to lay out a number of mutual funds to choose from ( similar to the Thrift Savings Program which is the government service version of the 401K plan ) ranging from a low risk government securities fund to an aggressive growth stock fund. The worst you could do is a 5% return on your money with the bonds.
Using me as an example:
I pay 132.10 a month into Social Security. Take that and plow it into an investment earning 7% yearly and a timespan from 25-65. You'd end up with something like close to $350,000. A pretty tidy sum.