Economics Department

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TITLE:
Criteria for Social Security Reform

AUTHOR(S):
Joseph F. Quinn, Boston College

DOCUMENT TYPE: Article

ABSTRACT:
Because currently anticipated Social Security revenues are inadequate to pay for promised benefits, reform of the Social Security program is likely. Several different plans to restore the program to actuarial balance have emerged, and more will arise as the debate continues. Comparison and evaluation of these alternatives require a framework for analysis and criteria along which to judge their strengths and weaknesses. After discussing the goals of the Social Security system, we identify three main criteria (income adequacy, individual equity and economic growth), and propose several other issues for consideration.

Publication Status: forthcoming in Prospects for Social Security Reform, O. Mitchell et al., eds., University of Pennsylvania Press