Social Security in the 21st Century

• Foreword by Peter Diamond I: An Overview of Social Security 1.: Lawrence H. Thompson and Melinda M. Upp: The Social Insurance Approach and Social Security 2.: Edward D. Berkowitz: The Historical Development of Social Insurance in the United States II: Social Security Issues 3.: Eric R. Kingson & James H. Schulz: Should Social Security Be Means-Tested? 4.: Marilyn Moon: Are Social Security Benefits Too High or Too Low? 5.: Yung-Ping Chen and Stephen C. Goss: Are Returns on Payroll Taxes Fair? 6.: Karen C. Holden: Social Security and the Economic Security of Women: Is It Fair? 7.: Jerry L. Mashaw: Disability: Why Does the Search for Good Programs Continue? 8.: Jill Quadagno and Joseph Quinn: Does Social Security Discourage Work? 9.: Edward M. Gramlich: How Does Social Security Affect the Economy? 10.: Barry Bosworth: What Economic Role for the Trust Funds? 11.: Virginia P. Reno & Robert B. Friedland: Strong Support But Low Confidence: What Explains the Contradiction? 12.: Theodore R. Marmor, Fay Lomax Cook & Stephen Scher: Social Security and the Conflict Between Generations: Are We Asking the Right Questions? 13.: Robert J. Myers: Will Social Security Be There for Me? III: Additional Views on the Issues 14.: Michael D. Hurd: Adequacy and Equity Issues: Another View 15.: Dwight K. Bartlett: Financing and Work Issues: Another View 16.: Stanford G. Ross: Institutional and Administrative Issues 17.: C. Eugene Steuerle: Social Security in the 21st Century: The Need for Change 18.: Robert M. Ball with Thomas N. Bethell: Bridging the Centuries: The Case for Traditional Social Security References Index

"The way a society treats its elderly is one of the hallmarks of civilization. Social Security is surely one of the most important of all government activities. It directly affects the lives of one in six Americans. This book may well be the most valuable ever published on Social Security. It conveys the subject comprehensively: from history and social context to economic changes and future prospects. It has been prepared by authentic experts from many fieldsin a careful process that makes it possible to get the facts straight. It is objectively analytical, not polemical. It is fair and balanced, lucid and farsighted. In short, this is a landmark in a fieldof crucial importance for the American future." --David A. Hamburg, President of the Carnegie Foundation"A welcome corrective to the misrepresentation and inaccuracy that has come to pass for commentary on social security....Experts and lay readers alike would do well to use this book as the basis for clear thinking as the United States begins a debate of great importance on how to modify social security to assure its capacity to function successfully in the 21st century." -- Henry J. Aaron, The Brookings Institution"This is an informative work by many of the country's most eminent specialists in social security". --Martha Derthick, University of Virginia"With the nation plunging headlong into a debate over the future of Social Security, this compelling book could hardly be more timely. Written with engaging clarity and good sense, Social Security in the 21st Century is must reading for citizens, journalists, and policymakers alike. It brings facts, historical perspective, and just plain humanity to a discussion too often monopolized by cold-hearted technocrats. Many of the contributions to this valuablevolume show how Americans could act now to revitalize a much-loved and highly effective social insurance program for the new century." -- Theda Skocpol, Harvard University"At a time when the facts about social security are being distorted and manipulated for political ends, this important book clarifies the issues and points the way forward. It deserves to be widely read"-- James Midgley, University of California at Berkeley"Objective, thorough, and scholarly" -- Clinical Gerontologist"This book combines some of today's more extensive quantitative work with a critical eye for maintaining the system's viability through the 21st century. Those who seek a greater understanding of the current Social Security framework with intentions of recommending reform could find the bulk of what they need in this single volume." -- ChoiceSocial Security in the 21st Century provides...a surprisingly engaging array of essays on the mulititude of issues, alternatives and perspectives which encompass the Old age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) portion of Social Security. The editors have gathered an impressive jury of experts and specialists who answer just about every question one might have about the system, from both historical and projective economic, workforce, and socialpolicy perspectives. This framework allows an appreciation of the larger picture of social policy, and the ability to delve into fairly discrete issues....The book is very timely...The individual chapters areinvariably readable and understandable for even a lay reader, enabling everyone to make sense of the complex issues involved." -- John N. Migliaccio, Ph.D., President, Maturity Mark Services Co., in International Society for Retirement Planning"The best available text for graduate students who want to understand our choices and their premises."--Alfred J. Kahn, Professor Emeritus, Columbia University School of Social Work"An absolute prescription/antidote to the fear-mongering demagoguery regarding the status and future of Social Security."--Harold Sheppard, University of South Florida