Ownership Society

Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20001-5403
Phone (202) 842 0200
Fax (202) 842 3490
Contact Us

Social Security and the Ownership Society

Despite the fact that political leaders often refer to it as a "trust fund," Americans really don't own or control the contribution they're compelled to make to Social Security. They can't bequeath their lifelong contribution to heirs, they can't invest it, and the Congress can appropriate the fund any time it sees fit. In an ownership society, each American would take possession of the money currently taken from his paycheck for Social Security. He could invest it in a manner that would give him far greater long-term returns than the current system. Most importantly, that fund would become his property, not the government's -- meaning he could leave it to his children upon his death. Such a system would enable the working poor to accumulate assets from generation to generation. Our current Social Security system isn't sustainable. Ownership-based systems have worked very well elsewhere, most notably in Chile. Without reform, preferably a move toward ownership, it's likely to fail, and younger working Americans won't see any benefits at all.

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Due to the ongoing construction and expansion of the Cato Institute

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For more information about Cato events, please visit Event FAQs.

The Cato Institute is located on the southwest corner of Massachusetts Avenue and 10th Street. There is on-street, metered parking around the Institute, as well as a lot located on the corner of Eye and 10th Streets. We are approximately 5 blocks from Metro Center. Take the metro to Metro Center and use the 11th Street exit. Walk north so the lettered streets get higher (H, Eye, K, L, Massachusetts). Make a right on L Street, and walk about 1 block. (See map)

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL CATO INSTITUTE EVENTS

For more information, call (202) 789-5208, fax (202) 371-0841, or send email.

Unless otherwise noted, all events are held at

THE CATO INSTITUTE'S F.A. HAYEK AUDITORIUM
1000 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20001

Business attire is requested.

For more information about Cato events, please visit Event FAQs.

The Cato Institute is located on the southwest corner of Massachusetts Avenue and 10th Street.
There is on-street, metered parking around the Institute, as well as a lot located on the corner
of Eye and 10th Streets. We are approximately 5 blocks from Metro Center. Take the metro to Metro
Center and use the 11th Street exit. Walk north so the lettered streets get higher (H, Eye, K, L,
Massachusetts). Make a right on L Street, and walk about 1 block. (See map)