withdrawal pains

What is the name of your state? VIRGINIA
I am a 56 year old small business owner (new start-up) that wants to withdraw my funding from my ss account. I have been told by many people that this can be and has been done. I would like to invest this money on my own as my retirement fund. What do I do to start this? And, what is a 1040X form for?
Racer

There is no "account" for the money you paid into SS.

Monies paid in today, go to pay benefits today. Many people think that they have their own certain "account" set up, that they pay their money into. That's not true though. What's paid in, in SS taxes on each paycheck now, goes to pay benefits for people that are receiving them NOW. You don't have a little savings account (for lack of a better term) that you pay your tax into, and then it's all yours when you retire, become disabled, etc. You can do your own research on www.ssa.gov

A 1040X is an amended tax return form that you can get from the IRS website at www.irs.gov