RoR: Forum

The "reform" I would like to see would be to make participation in SS entirely voluntary -- anyone could opt out at any time, but they would be permanently barred from rejoining, and would be prohibited from collecting any of the allegedly "accrued benefits" when they retired -- and the fund would have to be run entirely on voluntary contributions, and no money from non-participating taxpayers or from employers.

Of course, this would raise the premiums, because many younger people would drop out right away.

Post 1

Monday, September 29, 2008 - 8:27pm

"Social Security" in the US is a complete mess, and there will never be any painless or equitable solution to replace or repair it. Replacement with private savings and pension plans is the most desirable, but at some point the accumulating shortfall is going to catch someone in the neck.

The best option provided so far has been 401k's, which are essentially replacing many pensions funds, and which can follow individuals from job to job - something pensions didn't, and which has led to some abuses.

jt

Post 2

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 - 5:01am

Tibor Machan wrote an RoR article addressing SS here.

I commented on it and supported a phase-out here, by cutting benefits and/or possibly raising the retirement age. For example, a person already receiving benefits would face no cut, a person now age 55 would get a 25% cut, a person now age 45 would get a 50% cut, a person now age 35 would get a 75% cut, and a person now age 25 or less would get nothing. (The full schedule could be more refined.) OASDI taxes could be phased out to track declining total benefit outlays.

Post 3

Saturday, August 11, 2012 - 4:09am