Purpose: As part of an ongoing effort to analyze the distributional implications of potential policy reforms to the U.S. Social Security system, we consider the widely discussed reform of earnings sharing. Such an approach has been viewed as a way to "update" Social Security's family benefits based on marital status and as a means to…

Purpose: This study compared the official poverty rate for adults aged 65 years and older with alternative measures that portray the true resources and needs of older adults. Design and Methods: The analysis used data from the 2004 Health and Retirement Study on income, assets, in-kind transfers, and out-of-pocket medical expenses. It also…

After a long decline, the Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) of older men in the United States leveled off in the 1980s, and began to increase in the late 1990s. We examine how changes in Social Security rules affected these trends. We attribute only a small portion of the decline from the 1960s-80s to the increasing generosity of Social…

Coordinating the two sources of retirement income--private pensions and Social Security--tends to lower employer costs and result in private pensions that replace a larger percentage of preretirement income for higher-paid workers. (Author/SK)

This document contains 4 charts and 15 tables describing the pension coverage of workers and the income of retirees in the United States as of 1984. Data were gathered through the fourth wave topical module to the 1984 panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation, conducted from September through December of 1984. The prevalence of…

Explores relationship between recent policy reforms, targeting proposals, and a universal Social Security program. Explores principles that inform Social Security, concluding that treating benefits as taxable income and raising retirement age push at boundaries of universality without violating fundamental precepts of social insurance program. (BF)

This document presents an extensive report on retirement income prepared by the Congressional Research Service at the request of Congressman Dan Rostenkowski. The report consists of an executive summary, an overview of the issue, and a series of background papers. Part I provides an overview of retirement income for an aging population and…

This Technical Committee Report examines four tiers of retirement income: (1) social security; (2) private and public occupational pension programs; (3) income from assets and savings; and (4) needs-tested programs. A summary of principal findings and recommendations is followed by three sections discussing the statistical basis for this report.…

This group of articles discusses a variety of studies related to social security and retirement benefits. These studies are related to both developing and developed nations and are also concerned with studying work conditions and government role in administering a democratic social security system. (SSH)

Current policies concerning income in old age are framed in terms of important Social Security and private pension developments. Criticisms of the "new Social Security" are viewed in the context of major problems associated with the options, especially private pensions. (Author)

After giving an overview of the private retirement system and considering deferred wages and labor costs, the study explores the extent of the influence of private pensions on early retirement and on job opportunities of older persons, and the influence of lengthy job tenure requirements on worker mobility. The study weakens the case for…

This is a 1984 annual Senate report on aging which examines the health, income, employment, housing, and assistance problems of older people. In a preface, Senators Heinz and Glenn note the following significant events of l984: (1) Congress reauthorized the Older Americans Act; (2) a strong economy with low inflation helped Social Security and…

This brochure presents the facts about the financial situation of older women. It explains the vital role of Social Security (SS) for women and offers suggestions to improve their financial outlook. A true/false checklist tests knowledge about women growing older and remaining financially secure. These reasons for poorer older women are outlined:…

This article presents an analysis of six major issues involved in ASBO's resolution opposing mandatory Social Security: fiscal implications for taxpayers; impact on the economy; mandatory coverage as a solution; patriotism as an issue; promises violated by Social Security; and the legal issues of mandatory coverage. (Author/MLF)

Private schools can "...provide much more attractive retirement benefits for the same cost by funding retirement plans outside Social Security. (Author)