Sorting out the Social Security Debate: Information from a Nonpartisan Source

For Immediate Release: May 7, 2001
Contact:
Jill Braunstein at
(202) 452-8097

WASHINGTON, DC – As the Social Security debate moves to the forefront of American politics, the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) offers nonpartisan, objective information that can help to sort through competing claims and campaign rhetoric. The Academy is a nonprofit research and education organization made up of the nation’s leading experts on Social Security, Medicare, and other social insurance programs. It does not lobby or take positions on policy issues.

How important is Social Security to elderly Americans? See…

• The Economic Status of the Elderly, Medicare Brief No. 4
• Social Security Q’s and A’s

Who receives Social Security? See…

• “Social Security Finances: Findings of the 2001 Trustees Report,” Social Security Brief No. 11
• Social Security Q’s and A’s
• “Social Security and People of Color,” National Academy of Social Insurance seminar at UNITY ’99 Conference of Minority Journalists

How much do typical Social Security beneficiaries receive? See…

• “Social Security Finances: Findings of the 2001 Trustees Report,” Social Security Brief No. 11
• “Social Security and People of Color,” National Academy of Social Insurance seminar at UNITY ’99 Conference of Minority Journalists

Why will Social Security cost more in the future? See…

• “Social Security Finances: Findings of the 2001 Trustees Report,” Social Security Brief No. 11
• Social Security Q’s and A’s

How big is the Problem? What will it take to balance Social Security in the long-term? See…

• Social Security Q’s and A’s

Can we afford Social Security when Baby Boomers retire? SeeHellip;

• “Can We Afford Social Security When Baby Boomers Retire?” Social Security Brief No. 4
• “Sooner is Better in Social Security Reform,” Social Security Brief No. 2
• “Social Security: Past, Present and Future,” Social Security Brief No. 5

What are the options for Social Security reform? See…

• Social Security Q’s and A’s

What does “privatization” mean? Where are individual accounts? See…

• Statement for White House Conference on Social Security
• “Experts Agree on Economics, Differ on Values and Politics of Privatizing Social Security,” Social Insurance Update Article, Volume 10:1

Why is “privatization” a source of debate? See…

• “Experts Agree on Economics, Differ on Values and Politics of Privatizing Social Security,” Social Insurance Update Article, Volume 10:1
• “Is More Choice Always Better,” Social Security Brief No. 7
• “Why Social Insurance,” Social Security Brief No. 6
• “Social Security: Past, Present and Future,” Social Security Brief No. 5
• “The Predictability of Retirement Income” Social Security Brief No. 3

Whom can I contact to learn more?

• See Experts to Contact on Social Security at www.nasi.org
• Call (202) 452-8097 and ask for Jill Braunstein or Virginia Reno.

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The National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization comprised of the nation’s leading experts on social insurance. Its mission is to conduct research and enhance public understanding of social insurance, develop new leaders, and provide a nonpartisan forum for the exchange of ideas in the field. For more information on the National Academy of Social Insurance call (202) 452-8097.