Strengthening the Retirement System Beyond Social Security

Strengthening the Retirement System Beyond Social Security PDF Author: Kala E. Upshaw
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781607417521
Category : Pensions
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This book discusses the retirement system in the U.S. beyond Social Security. The Education and Labor Committee is exploring the shortcomings in our nation's retirement system and looking at solutions so that Americans can enjoy a safe and secure retirement. The current economic crisis has exposed deep flaws in our nation's retirement system. These flaws were mostly hidden when the market was doing well. Since the beginning of the crisis, trillions of dollars have evaporated from workers' 401(k) accounts. Millions of workers have seen a significant portion of their retirement balance vanish in just a few short months. The decline has forced many workers to consider postponing retirement or rejoining the workforce if they have already retired. For many retirees coping with rising costs for health care and other basic expenses, this loss in income is simply devastating. While fully restoring the lost wealth of the baby boom cohorts may not prove feasible, Congress can take effective steps to create a better retirement system for future generations. This can done at no cost to taxpayers, simply by having the government assume market risk by averaging returns over time. There are no economic or administrative obstacles to going this route, it is simply a question of political will. In any case, the message is that we need more organised retirement savings. A declining Social Security system and fragile 401(k) plans will not be enough for future retirees.

Strengthening the Retirement System Beyond Social Security

Strengthening the Retirement System Beyond Social Security PDF Author: Kala E. Upshaw
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781607417521
Category : Pensions
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book

Book Description
This book discusses the retirement system in the U.S. beyond Social Security. The Education and Labor Committee is exploring the shortcomings in our nation's retirement system and looking at solutions so that Americans can enjoy a safe and secure retirement. The current economic crisis has exposed deep flaws in our nation's retirement system. These flaws were mostly hidden when the market was doing well. Since the beginning of the crisis, trillions of dollars have evaporated from workers' 401(k) accounts. Millions of workers have seen a significant portion of their retirement balance vanish in just a few short months. The decline has forced many workers to consider postponing retirement or rejoining the workforce if they have already retired. For many retirees coping with rising costs for health care and other basic expenses, this loss in income is simply devastating. While fully restoring the lost wealth of the baby boom cohorts may not prove feasible, Congress can take effective steps to create a better retirement system for future generations. This can done at no cost to taxpayers, simply by having the government assume market risk by averaging returns over time. There are no economic or administrative obstacles to going this route, it is simply a question of political will. In any case, the message is that we need more organised retirement savings. A declining Social Security system and fragile 401(k) plans will not be enough for future retirees.

Strengthening Social Security

Strengthening Social Security PDF Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Special Committee on Aging
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 126

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Book Description


Social Security Reform

Social Security Reform PDF Author: Peter A. Diamond
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 9780199247899
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 120

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Book Description
Also considered are the risks in the political process."--BOOK JACKET.

Assessing Chile's Pension System: Challenges and Reform Options

Assessing Chile's Pension System: Challenges and Reform Options PDF Author: Samuel Pienknagura
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 151359611X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 52

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Book Description
Chile’s pension system came under close scrutiny in recent years. This paper takes stock of the adequacy of the system and highlights its challenges. Chile’s defined contribution system was quite influential when introduced, and was taken as an example by other countries. However, it is now delivering low replacement rates relative to OECD peers, as its parameters did not adapt over time to changing demographics and global returns, while informality persists in the labor market. In the absence of reforms, the system’s inability to deliver adequate outcomes for a large share of participants will continue to magnify, as demographic trends and low global interest rates will continue to reduce replacement rates. In addition, recent legislation allowing for pension savings withdrawals to counter the effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, is projected to further reduce replacement rates and increase fiscal costs. A substantial improvement in replacement rates is feasible, via a reform that raises contribution rates and the retirement age, coupled with policies that increases workers’ contribution density.

Privatizing Social Security

Privatizing Social Security PDF Author: Martin Feldstein
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226241823
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 484

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Book Description
This volume represents the most important work to date on one of the pressing policy issues of the moment: the privatization of social security. Although social security is facing enormous fiscal pressure in the face of an aging population, there has been relatively little published on the fundamentals of essential reform through privatization. Privatizing Social Security fills this void by studying the methods and problems involved in shifting from the current system to one based on mandatory saving in individual accounts. "Timely and important. . . . [Privatizing Social Security] presents a forceful case for a radical shift from the existing unfunded, pay-as-you-go single national program to a mandatory funded program with individual savings accounts. . . . An extensive analysis of how a privatized plan would work in the United States is supplemented with the experiences of five other countries that have privatized plans." —Library Journal "[A] high-powered collection of essays by top experts in the field."—Timothy Taylor, Public Interest

Growing Older in America

Growing Older in America PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Age distribution (Demography)
Languages : en
Pages : 108

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Book Description


Wealth After Work

Wealth After Work PDF Author: William G. Gale
Publisher: Brookings Institution Press
ISBN: 0815739354
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 406

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Book Description
Pensions and retirement saving plans have helped millions of households build financial security. But tens of millions of people have been left behind, without access to these wealth accumulation vehicles. For many others, the plans they have do not ensure financial security in retirement. The problems that underlie these failures can be addressed. This book proposes concrete, practical ways to make dependable retirement income accessible for all Americans—not just those with means. Individual accounts have eclipsed traditional pensions as the primary vehicle for retirement saving in the United States—a shift that underlies many sources of retirement insecurity. The 401(k) plan and similar accounts have increased financial security for many people but have done nothing for millions more. Many of those who do have such plans are burdened with the need to make numerous saving, investment, and withdrawal decisions that stress their financial acumen. Financial advice that is unbiased, unconflicted, and affordable is often difficult to find. Managing wealth in retirement—especially the need to convert retirement savings into steady income—poses significant challenges that current financial instruments and practices do not adequately address. Economic downturns like the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic increase financial insecurity and make addressing these issues more urgent. Written by noted experts in the field, Wealth After Work offers practical solutions that address these concerns. The proposals show how policymakers can help all Americans gain access to retirement savings accounts, obtain better information about their savings choices, and better manage their wealth in retirement. By proposing solutions that build on, rather than replace the existing system, the book provides a nuanced, practical guide to reform that would benefit all Americans.

Social Security Strategies

Social Security Strategies PDF Author: William R. Reichenstein
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780615457536
Category : Retirement income
Languages : en
Pages : 116

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Book Description


Lessons from Pension Reform in the Americas

Lessons from Pension Reform in the Americas PDF Author: Stephen J. Kay
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199226806
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 446

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Book Description
Latin America has seen a host of pathbreaking pension reforms, including privatizations that have served as examples for governments throughout the world. Addressing pressing policy issues and highlighting a broad range of country experiences, this book provides an unparalleled account of the lessons from pension reform in North and South America

Reforming the Greek Pension System

Reforming the Greek Pension System PDF Author: Mr. Alvar Kangur
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1513588842
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 26

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Book Description
The Greek pension system has been costly, complex, and distortive, which has contributed to Greece’s fiscal problems and discouraged labor force participation. Several attempts to reform the system faltered due to lack of implementation, pushback by vested interests, and court rulings leading to reversals. A series of reforms introduced throughout 2015–17 unified benefit and contribution rules, removed several distortions and reduced fragmentation and costs. If fully implemented throughout the long-term, these reforms can go a long way towards enhancing the pension system affordability. However, reforms faced setbacks and fell short of creating stronger incentives to build long contribution histories, to deliver sustainable growth by improving the fiscal policy mix, and to ensure fairness and equitable burden sharing across generations and interest groups. Policy priorities should aim towards fully implementing the 2015–17 reforms and complementing them with additional reforms to address these remaining objectives.