Social Security in the 21st Century (Paperback)

Social security has proven to be one of the most successful programs in the United States. No other program has done more to transform old age or to protect family incomes against economic risks arising from the disability or death of a working family member. Polls consistently show strong support for Social Security, but these same polls also show that the public, especially the young, is skeptical about whether Social Security will be able to meet its obligations. The program's harshest opponents call it a "Ponzi scheme." Arguing that the young will be left "holding the bag," they call for a shift towards greater personal savings or means-testing. Experts agree that the aging of the baby boom, longer life expectancies, and a changing economy will impose new challenges. But seeing no impending disaster, they point to reforms that leave intact basic Social Security commitments and structure. Not surprisingly, the public is confused and has many unanswered questions. Social Security in the 21st Century offers an introduction to the basic economic, demographic, and political aspects of social security, and addresses the questions most often asked regarding this subject. Featuring nationally recognized experts, the book presents clear, authoritative, and balanced discussions of contemporary Social Security issues, offering the historical background, concepts, statistics, and options necessary to make informed judgments about the program. These issues include the program's financial viability, its effects on the economy and the federal deficit, its consonance with American values, the adequacy of benefits for today's and tomorrow's old, its fairness to women and the young, disability reform and generational equity. It explains both the social insurance principles and political history related to the development of Social Security in the United States. The book avoids using technical jargon, making it ideal for a wide ran

"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 fields in 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 field of 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 valuable volume 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." -- Choice Social 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 social policy 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 are invariably 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