Issue Briefs

A Guide to Analyzing Social Security Reform

Issue guide on Social Security to help evaluate Social Security reform proposals. (December 17, 2012)

Social Security Committee issue brief that examines “means testing,” an option to reform Social Security that would reduce or eliminate benefits for wealthy and/or high-income participants and beneficiaries. (December 11, 2012)

The 80% Pension Funding Standard Myth

Pension Practice Council issue brief debunking the myth that an 80% funded ratio is the proper basis for determining whether a pension plan is financially or “actuarially” sound. (July 31, 2012)

Understanding the Assumptions Used to Evaluate Social Security’s Financial Condition

Social Security Committee issue brief examining the assumptions used to evaluate Social Security's financial condition. (May 31, 2012)

Significance of the Social Security Trust Funds

Social Security Committee issue brief on the significance of the Social Security trust funds. (May 31, 2012)

An Actuarial Perspective on the 2012 Social Security Trustees’ Report

Social Security Committee issue brief examining the 2012 Social Security Trustees Report. (May 31, 2012)

Examining the PBGC Premium Structure

Pension Practice Council issue brief examining the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) premium structure. (April 26, 2012)

Automatic Adjustments to Maintain Social Security’s Long-Range Actuarial Balance

Social Security Committee issue brief on automatic adjustment mechanisms that could help address actuarial balance challenges facing Social Security. (August 4, 2011)

An Actuarial Perspective on the 2011 Social Security Trustees’ Report

Social Security Committee issue brief highlighting the 2011 Social Security Trustees Report and outlining the public policy options to address Social Security's long-term financial soundness. (May 26, 2011)

An Actuarial Perspective on the 2010 Social Security Trustees’ Report

Social Security Committee issue brief on the 2010 Social Security Trustees' Report. (October 15, 2010)

Raising the Retirement Age for Social Security

Social Insurance Committee updated issue brief examining the potential effects of increasing the retirement age for Social Security. (October 4, 2010)

Social Security Reform: Possible Changes in the Benefit Formulas and Taxation

Social Insurance Committee issue brief on changes to the benefit formula and taxation of benefits under proposed social security reform. (June 1, 2010)

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)

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)

The Value of Defined Benefit Plans

Pension Committee issue brief discussing the value of defined benefit (DB) pension plans. (July 3, 2006)

Actuaries: How Will Boomers Pay for Retirement?

Retirement Security Principles Task Force issue brief examining how to modernize America's retirement programs to keep pace with longevity. (April 24, 2006)