Social Security

Financial sustainability and other topics related to the Social Security program.

Understanding the Assumptions Used to Evaluate Social Security’s Financial Condition
Social Insurance Committee issue brief on assumptions used to project Social Security's financial condition (updates a 2001 issue brief.) (September 1, 2009)

Comments to FASAB on Exposure Draft of Accounting for Social Insurance
Social Security Committee comment letter to the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) responding to an Exposure Draft: Accounting for Social Insurance. (June 3, 2009)

Actuaries Advocate Raising Social Security's Retirement Age
The Academy issued a public interest statement urging policymakers to immediately address Social Security's long-term financial problems by raising the retirement age to reflect increasing longevity. (August 4, 2008)

Suggested Changes to “Thinking of Retiring” Special Insert for Workers 55 or Older
Pension Committee and Social Security Committee joint work group document addressing better ways to educate the public about retirement planning. The committees suggest changes to current Social Security publications, specifically the "Thinking of Retiring?" special insert to the annual Social Security Statement for workers 55 or older and the "When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits" publication (05-10147). (July 1, 2008)

An Actuarial Perspective on the 2008 Social Security Trustees’ Report
Social Insurance Committee annual issue brief offering an actuarial perspective on the Social Security Trustees Report. (May 1, 2008)

Social Security: Evaluating the Structure for Basic Benefits
Social Security Committee issue brief evaluating the structure of basic Social Security benefits. (September 1, 2007)

Women and Social Security
Social Security Committee issue brief examining Social Security benefits for women. (July 2, 2007)

An Actuarial Perspective on the 2007 Social Security Trustees’ Report
Social Insurance Committee annual issue brief offering an actuarial perspective on the Social Security Trustees Report.  (May 1, 2007)

Investing Social Security Assets in the Securities Markets
Social Security Committee issue brief on Investing Social Security Assets in the Securities Market.
(March 1, 2007)

Social Security Reform Options
Social Insurance Committee monograph presenting an overview of proposed reforms to the Social Security program. (January 1, 2007)

A Guide to the Use of Stochastic Models in Analyzing Social Security
Social Security Committee issue brief on the use of stochastic models in analyzing Social Security.
(October 1, 2005)

Congressional Testimony on Strengthening Social Security
Senior Pension Fellow testimony to the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security on the topic of protecting and strengthening Social Security. (June 14, 2005)

Election 2004: A Guide to Analyzing the Issues - The Questions Candidates Should Answer about...Social Security Reform
Social Insurance Committee 2004 election guide on "The Questions Candidates Should Answer About ... Social Security Reform." (March 1, 2004)

Means Testing for Social Security
Social Security Committee issue brief examining means testing for Social Security, updating a 1996 issue brief. (January 1, 2004)

Social Adequacy and Individual Equity in Social Security
Social Security Committee issue brief examining social adequacy and individual equity in Social Security (updates a 1998 issue brief.) (January 1, 2004)

Comments to Social Security Trustees on Recommendation for Measuring Unfunded Obligations
Social Insurance Committee letter to the Social Security trustees about a technical panel recommendation on measuring unfunded obligations. (December 19, 2003)

Comments on Draft of IAA Guidelines for Social Security Programs
Workers' Compensation Subcommittee letter to the Social Security Committee of the International Actuarial Association (IAA) regarding draft IAA guidelines of actuarial practice for social security programs. (October 7, 2002)

Comments to IAA on Proposed Guidelines for Social Security Programs
Workers' Compensation Subcommittee letter to the International Actuarial Association (IAA) regarding draft IAA guidelines of actuarial practice for social security programs. (September 27, 2002)

Automatic Adjustments to Maintain Social Security's Long-Range Actuarial Balance (September 2002; an update of a 1998 issue brief)
Automatic Adjustments to Maintain Social Security's Long-Range Actuarial Balance (September 2002; an update of a 1998 issue brief)
(September 2, 2002)

Quantitative Measures for Evaluating Social Security Reform Proposals
Social Security Committee issue brief examining quantitative measures for evaluating Social Security reform proposals. (April 1, 2002)