Social Security is not sustainable without reform. Simply put, it cannot pay promised future benefits with current levels of taxation. Yet raising taxes or cutting benefits will only make a bad deal worse. However, allowing younger workers to privately invest their Social Security taxes through individual accounts will improve Social Security's rate of return; provide better retirement benefits; treat women, minorities, and low-income workers more fairly; and give workers real ownership and control of their retirement funds.
Get the latest on Social Security:
RSS ![]()
Social Security: A Fresh Look at Reform Alternatives, by Jagadeesh Gokhale (University of Chicago Press, 2010)
"Social Security," Chapter 17, Cato Handbook for Policymakers, 7th Edition (2009).
It's Your Money: A Citizen's Guide to Social Security Reform, (2005).
Social Security and Its Discontents, Edited by Michael D. Tanner (2004).
A New Deal for Social Security, by Peter J. Ferrara and Michael D. Tanner (1998).
"The Connection between Wage Growth and Social Security's Financial Condition," by Jagadeesh Gokhale, Policy Analysis no. 607, December 10, 2007
"KidSave: Real Problem, Wrong Solution," by Michael D. Tanner and Jagadeesh Gokhale, Policy Analysis no. 562, January 24, 2006
"The Personal Lockbox: A First Step on the Road to Social Security Reform," by Michael D. Tanner, Policy Analysis no. 550, September 13, 2005
"Social Security Status Quo versus Reform: What's the Tradeoff?," by Jagadeesh Gokhale, Social Security Choice Paper no. 35, July 22, 2005
"Noble Lies, Liberal Purposes, and Personal Retirement Accounts," by Will Wilkinson, Social Security Choice Paper no. 34, June 28, 2005
"Bush’s Economic Agenda Deserves Support," by William A. Niskanen, Cato Policy Report, March/April 2005.
"Toward the Ownership Society," by Edward H. Crane, Cato Policy Report, November/December 2004.
"Liberating Workers: The World Pension Revolution," by José Piñera, Cato's Letters, no. 15, 2001.
"Pair Tax Cuts with Social Security Reform," by William A. Niskanen, Cato Policy Report, March/April 2001.
"The Great Social Security Debate of 2000," by Edward H. Crane, Cato Policy Report, May/June 2000.
"A Flash Point for Social Security," by Jim Powell, Daily Caller, August 27, 2010
"The Real Costs Of Social Security," by James A. Dorn, Investor's Business Daily, August 20, 2010
"What If the GOP Embraced Paul Ryan's Entitlement Plan?," by Jim Powell, Daily Caller, August 18, 2010
"Fixing Social Security," by Michael D. Tanner, National Review (Online), August 18, 2010
"Social Security Deficits Soon Will Be Permanent," by Michael D. Tanner, Orange County Register, August 13, 2010
"Social Security: A Fresh Look at Policy Alternatives," June 7, 2010 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"Social Security: A Fresh Look at Policy Alternatives," May 27, 2010 [Book Forum]
"Obama's Blueprint for Growing the Welfare State," March 31, 2009 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"“GROW”-ing Our Way to Social Security Reform?," October 14, 2005 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"Social Security Reform for Deficit Hawks," May 26, 2005 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"Testimony before the Subcommittee on Social Security of the Committee on Ways and Means," by William G. Shipman, June 21, 2005.
"Testimony before the Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security," by Ian Vásquez, June 16, 2005.
"Testimony before the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Subcommittee on Securities and Investment," by Michael Tanner, June 14, 2005.
"Testimony before the Committee on Ways and Means," by Michael Tanner, May 12, 2005.
"Testimony before the Senate Commitee on Finance," by Michael Tanner, April 26, 2005.
"Social Security Payouts Growing Faster" featuring Jagadeesh Gokhale, August 11, 2010 [Flash Audio, 08:07]
"Growth and Credible Commitments" featuring Jagadeesh Gokhale, July 29, 2010 [Flash Audio, 11:08]
"Devolve Entitlement Spending to States" featuring Jeffrey A. Miron, July 26, 2010 [Flash Audio, 07:46]
"Reform Proposals for Social Security" featuring Jagadeesh Gokhale, July 6, 2010 [Flash Audio, 11:12]
"Simulating the Future of Social Security" featuring Jagadeesh Gokhale, June 21, 2010 [Flash Audio, 10:15]