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Comments of National Academy of Social Insurance to House Ways and Means Committee on Chained CPI and Other Benefit Adjustments (PDF)

"The chained CPI would result in substantial benefit cuts for beneficiaries, especially as they grow older. Older beneficiaries rely more heavily on Social Security than do younger beneficiaries. NASI's public opinion research finds that, given a range of policy options, Americans prefer to gradually raise Social Security taxes and to improve benefits slightly for vulnerable groups."

Social Insurance Benefits Need Not Limit Economic Growth -- Report of a Seminar (PDF)

Excerpt: Many families face difficult choices as they adjust to the rapidly changing U.S. economy. Policymakers want to help, but they are often stymied by the assertion that any programs that buffer economic losses will harm the economy. Is this theory true? To find out, the National Academy of Social Insurance brought together several experts to examine this question.

Discussion on the Future of Social Security at 'Demystifying Social Security: Academy for Interns 2011'

Attendees gained a better understanding of the challenges facing the White House and Congress as they work to modify Social Security. The free, day-long event featured prominent guest speakers, expert panels, and interactive activities, plus opportunities for networking. [Links to the presentations are available on this target page.]

American Academy of Actuaries Calls for Social Security Decisions (PDF)

1 page; press release. Excerpt: The American Academy of Actuaries today gave an actuarial analysis of the 2003 Social Security Trustees Report. Members of the Academy's Committee on Social Insurance reported that the viability of the system could be extended if decisions are soon made to reinforce the trust fund. But they warned that inaction could have severe consequences on the nation's safety net for retirees.

Call for Proposals: Innovative Projects to Strengthen Social Security for Vulnerable Populations

Excerpt: The Ford Foundation has asked the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) to serve as a regranting agent as part of its work on improving long-term economic security for low-income individuals. The purpose of the project is to support constituency building, education outside of the beltway, and user-friendly, research-based information to strengthen the adequacy of Social Security for vulnerable groups[.]

Call for Proposals: Innovative Policies to Strengthen Social Security for Vulnerable Populations

Excerpt: The National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) is launching the Social Security Innovative Policy Program to generate innovative policy analyses of options to strengthen Social Security for vulnerable populations. Scholars and analysts are invited to submit proposals from such varied disciplines as political science, law, actuarial science, sociology, social work, economics, psychology and philosophy. Project results will be shared with the new administration and Congress early in 2009, and may help to inform the debate over the future of the Social Security program.

Overcoming Barriers to Retirement Security for Women: The Role of Social Security (PDF)

16 pages. "Enhancing Social Security benefits would be an effective strategy for improving women's retirement security -- especially for women 75 or older, who face a significantly greater risk of poverty than their male counterparts. Expanding benefits would require increasing system revenue beyond what is necessary to close the projected long-term shortfall. Provisions that increase benefits for low earners, caregivers, or older seniors, or modernize benefits for certain marital statuses such as the divorced and survivors, would address the challenges that women particularly face."

Social Security Disability Insurance: Action Needed to Address Finances for 8.8 Million Disabled Workers and Those to Come (PDF)

"Currently, 8.8 million disabled workers ... receive Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) benefits.... A temporary reallocation of part of Social Security's 6.2% tax rate from the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance trust fund to the DI trust fund would ensure that both funds can pay full benefits until 2033, after which scheduled taxes would cover about 75% of scheduled benefits.... Alternatively, a 0.2% increase in the tax rate for DI would make DI solvent for the next 75 years."

Administrative Solutions in Health Reform (PDF)

77 pages. Excerpt: This report is the product of a two-year study panel convened jointly by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) and the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI). It examines the administrative functions that are central to a variety of health reform proposals, defines the choices, summarizes what is known about them, and makes specific recommendations. The panel's recommendations fall into seven categories: planning and coordinating implementation of health reform, subsidizing health insurance premiums and cost sharing, administering health insurance mandates, regulating health insurance, restructuring health insurance markets, designing administrative organizations, and simplifying administration and controlling costs.

A Longevity Insurance Benefit for Social Security: An Innovation from the Past

"A longevity insurance benefit as part of Social Security would be particularly desirable as part of a reform package to restore solvency if the package also included a reduction of benefits, such as raising the Normal Retirement Age. The longevity insurance benefit would reduce or eliminate the adverse effects of such a cut on the most vulnerable age group. A simple form of such a benefit would be to exempt persons age 82 and older from any benefit cuts."