08.24.2010
| For 75 years, Social Security has provided
a foundation of economic security for American workers, retirees, and
their families. This brief examines who Social Security helps, how
it works, and explains projections for the long-term outlook.
08.06.2010
| Social Security is the bedrock of economic
security for millions of children, as well
as working and retired Americans. The Social
Security system currently operates at a surplus,
and with a few minor tweaks, will continue
to do so now and far into
the future. But we can improve on Social Security's
winning formula.
08.05.2010
| Every year, the Social Security Trustees
are required by law to project the program’s
finances 75 years into the future. Three different
scenarios are created. Once again, the 2010 Trustees’ Report has confirmed
the health and the long-term vitality of the
Social Security system. Here's a look at some
of the key facts.
03.31.2010
| Social Security remains as a solid pedestal
for our retirement, but pensions are shrinking
or non-existent and workers are more apt to have debts than
savings. This can be overcome by first augmenting
federal Social Security benefits; second, advancing
universally accessible voluntary retirement
accounts; and third, as this brief outlines
in more detail, developing a progressive state-level
supplemental social insurance system.
01.25.2010
| Washington Voluntary Accounts (WVAs) would offer safe, secure and
portable retirement options to thousands of Washington workers without
an employer-sponsored retirement plan. WVAs directly address the importance
of a retirement program for about half of all workers who do not have
a retirement savings plan in their workplace.
09.01.2009
| As a nation, we can easily afford Social
Security. The Trust fund is secure, and the program is
in good shape financially - now and far into
the future. But we can improve on Social Security's
winning formula.
08.03.2009
| Without dramatic changes to our country’s private-sector pension
and retirement saving system, most workers will not be able to save
enough for a comfortable retirement. A significant change is needed
to help businesses and workers increase retirement savings. We all
have an interest in having workers approach their retirement years
with sufficient savings and investments in place to help secure their
independence and self-sufficiency. States should develop programs that
build on the systems already in place in state government in order
to aid all businesses in starting retirement plans and help workers
begin setting aside money for retirement.
05.18.2009
| Half of all workers lack access to a retirement plan at their workplace.
And small businesses face high administrative and cost hurdles that
often prevent them from offering retirement plans to employees. Universal
Voluntary Retirement Accounts (UVRAs) are a straightforward alternative
to the retirement savings dilemma facing today’s workers and small
businesses. UVRAs allow any individual worker to open a low-cost Individual
Retirement Account (IRA), and make it easier for small businesses to
recruit and retain employees by offering them a way to save for retirement.
02.15.2009
| The proposal for Washington Voluntary Accounts (WVAs) offers an easy
mechanism for individuals to save for retirement. WVAs directly address
the importance of a retirement program for about half of all workers
who do not have a retirement savings plan in their workplace.
Fact
Sheet »
03.01.2008
| Volume 1, Issue 1: Includes updates for eight states and initial
details for regional and national conferences on Universal Retirement
Savings Accounts (UVRAs).
Fact Sheet
»
05.01.2008
| The annual Trustees report was envisioned as a way to provide policy
makers and citizens with information on the long-term stability of
Social Security. The report projects the finances of the program for
the next 75 years. Doing so has always required a degree of fortune
telling. Adding to the confusion of this already difficult task, is
that in recent years, conservative politics appears to be having a
greater influence on the contents of the report. The report is increasingly
influenced by the partisan politics of the Presidential appointees
who serve as trustees. Full
report »
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work is licensed under a Creative
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from the Economic Opportunity Institute. Liquid layout
thanks to Matthew James Taylor.
