Chapter Questions
Do you believe that Social Security is unfair to women? To younger workers? Why or why not? If you think that Social Security is unfair, what could be done to make it more fair? What other problems might these measures cause?
Explain how Social Security taxes are regressive. Remember that regressivity does not mean that the lowincome person pays more actual tax, but that he or she pays more tax as a percentage of his or her income. How could the tax be made less regressive?
Compare and contrast social insurance with private insurance. Can you think of other examples of social insurance programs?
Compare and contrast social insurance programs with public assistance programs. Can you think of other examples of public assistance programs?
Do you believe that Social Security should be made fully funded? What would the advantages and disadvantages be?
What changes do you feel are likely to be made to Social Security in the next 15 to 20 years? Why? Go to the Social Security Administration Web site at htipdlwww ssa gov, Click About Social Security's Future to see some frequently asked questions about thefuture of Social Security, as well as the answers supplied by the Social Security Administration
Again, go to the home page of the Social Security Administration at htip:/hww ssa gov and notice many other links, both serious and light-hearted. For example, click on the link for the most popular baby names for a recent year,
What is the long-run problem with Social Security? Do you feel that the steps taken in 1983 to solve the problem were adequate?
For a conservative view of the Social Security system, go to hatpollwww cato iarg, the home page of the Cato Institute, a conservative research institute. The site has links to papers arguing for privatization of Social Security.
For a more liberal view of the Social Security system, go to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities at httpolfwww.cbppierg, and look for recent discussions of voluntary Social Security accounts and/or privatization of Social Security. What is the difference between the liberal and conservative views?
Gio to the White House Web sine at latpelfwww. white house. gov to find information about a variety of policies and reports, including many speeches by the president, Search for speeches that include comments about Social Security.