Social Security

In Brief

Social Security, instituted in 1935, has provided tens of millions of Americans with income for retirement. Currently, more money is collected in Social Security taxes from workers than is paid out to retirees. But that ratio is reversing as “baby boomers” start to retire and the workforce shrinks due to the recession. Options to close the gap include more borrowing, higher taxes or reduced benefits.

A trader works on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid).

Opinion

Money Illusion, the Chained CPI, and the Benefits of Inflation

April 17, 2013, Isabel V. Sawhill

Isabel Sawhill discusses recent proposals to change the inflation index for Social Security to the chained CPI and explains why the fear of this creating inflation is misguided, arguing that inflation would not necessarily be bad for the system.

Recent Activity

Refine by: Retirement, Saving and Pensions | U.S. Economic Performance | U.S. Budget Deficit | The Federal Budget and Sequestration

Opinion | The Washington Post

Payments to Elders Are Harming Our Future

March 8, 2013, Harry J. Holzer and Isabel V. Sawhill
Opinion | Real Clear Markets

A Pop Quiz About Federal Spending That May Surprise You

March 5, 2013, Henry J. Aaron
Opinion | Yahoo! Finance

Where Is the Urgency on the Debt Ceiling?

January 9, 2013, Henry J. Aaron
Opinion | The New York Times

Make Changes to Social Security Now to Prevent Future Debt

January 3, 2013, Alice M. Rivlin
Opinion | Democracy: A Journal of Ideas

Progressives and the Safety Net

Fall 2012, Henry J. Aaron
Opinion | CNN

A Bipartisan Proposal: Go Medium to Avoid Fiscal Cliff

December 5, 2012, Ron Haskins and Michael E. O'Hanlon
In the News

Right now in this political campaign, both sides are trying to scare people by saying this other guy will destroy Medicare. No one is going to destroy Medicare.
October 10, 2012, Alice M. Rivlin, MarketWatch
In the News

We do need to put Social Security back on a firm foundation for the future. It is really stupid to wait to do that. We need to assure people currently in the labor force and entering into it that Social Security will be there for them and that they can plan around it.
October 3, 2012, Alice M. Rivlin, The Fiscal Times
Opinion | Real Clear Markets

After the 2012 Election, Is a Return to Sanity Possible?

October 2, 2012, Henry J. Aaron
Opinion | Real Clear Markets

Are Voters Ready to Make the Tough Fiscal Choices?

September 18, 2012, Isabel V. Sawhill