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Social Security and Medicare: The Economic Implications of Current Policy

Description: The retirement of the baby boomers, rising life expectancy, and the rising cost of medical care are projected to place current federal policy on an unsustainable fiscal basis over the next several decades. Social Security outlays are projected to rise from 4% of gross domestic product (GDP) today to 6% of GDP in 2030 and Medicare and Medicaid outlays rise from 4% today to as much as 12% of GDP in 2030 and 21% of GDP in 2050. These increases in spending are not expected to subside after the baby… more
Date: January 28, 2005
Creator: Labonte, Marc
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security Reform: Economic Issues

Description: The President has indicated that Social Security reform will be a major issue in the 109th Congress. While Social Security originated as a Depression-era program aimed at alleviating the economic circumstances of the elderly, social insurance also corrects market failures in the annuity market (adverse selection), prevents free-riders (requires workers to provide for their retirement), spreads risk, and may correct for failure to optimize by shortsighted individuals.
Date: January 14, 2005
Creator: Gravelle, Jane G. & Labonte, Marc
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security, Saving, and the Economy

Description: This report examines the determinants of household saving, how household saving may be affected by Social Security, and the potential effects of possible changes in Social Security.
Date: January 12, 2005
Creator: Cashell, Brian W.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security: "Transition Costs"

Description: The Social Security Administration’s chief actuary forecasts that under current law, the Social Security Trust Funds will be depleted in 2042. Many Members of Congress have expressed concern that restoring the program to long-term fiscal balance will impose burdens on future generations by requiring them to pay higher taxes, accept benefit cuts, or undertake substantial government borrowing to pay the full benefits promised under current law.
Date: December 23, 2004
Creator: Haltzel, Laura
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security Reform

Description: This report examines the debate over the future of the Social Security system. It includes discussion of recent developments; background and analysis with information about the basic debate, specific area of contention, reform initiatives; and relevant legislation.
Date: December 9, 2004
Creator: Nuschler, Dawn
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Military Retirement: Major Legislative Issues

Description: This report includes information regarding the major legislative issues concerning military retirement. TERA, survivor benefit COLAs, and retirement budgeting are among topics discussed in this report.
Date: November 16, 2004
Creator: Goldich, Robert L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security Reform

Description: No Description Available.
Date: October 27, 2004
Creator: Nuschler, Dawn
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security: The Cost-of-Living Adjustment in January 2005

Description: This report discusses how the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits are determined. The 2.7% COLA payable in January 2005 was triggered by the rise in the CPI-W (Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers) from the third quarter of 2003 to the third quarter of 2004. This COLA triggers identical percentage increases in Supplemental Security Income (SSI), veterans' pensions, and railroad retirement benefits, and causes other changes in the Social Secu… more
Date: October 19, 2004
Creator: Sidor, Gary
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Military Retirement: Major Legislative Issues

Description: This report includes information involving major legislative issues regarding military retirement. Key elements and issues, budgeting and costs, and concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation are among topics discussed in this report.
Date: July 28, 2004
Creator: Goldich, Robert L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security: The Government Pension Offset (GPO)

Description: This report discusses the social security benefits and the spousal benefits of individuals who are not financially dependent on their spouses because they receive benefits based on their own work records.
Date: July 6, 2004
Creator: Haltzel, Laura
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security Reform

Description: No Description Available.
Date: February 12, 2004
Creator: Nuschler, Dawn
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security: Raising or Eliminating the Taxable Earnings Base

Description: Social Security taxes are levied on earnings up to a maximum level set each year. In 2004, this maximum — or what is referred to as the taxable earnings base — is $87,900. There is no similar base for the Medicare Hospital Insurance (HI) portion of the tax; all earnings are taxable for HI purposes. Elimination of the HI base was proposed by President Clinton and enacted in 1993, effectively beginning in 1994. Recently others have proposed that the base for Social Security be raised or eliminate… more
Date: January 20, 2004
Creator: Haltzel, Laura
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security and Medicare Taxes and Premiums: Fact Sheet

Description: Financing for social security -- Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance -- and the Hospital Insurance part of Medicare is provided primarily by taxes levied on wages and net self-employment income. Financing for the Supplementary Medical Insurance portion of Medicare is provided by premiums from enrollees and payments from the government. This report describes these taxes and premiums.
Date: January 13, 2004
Creator: Nuschler, Dawn
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security: The Windfall Benefit Provision

Description: This report discusses the windfall elimination provision, which reduces the Social Security benefits of workers who also have pension benefits from employment not covered by Social Security. Its purpose is to remove an advantage these workers would otherwise receive because of Social Security's benefit formula that favors workers with smaller amounts of Social Security-covered career earnings. Opponents contend that the provision is basically inaccurate and often unfair. In both the 107th and 1… more
Date: January 9, 2004
Creator: Haltzel, Laura
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security Reform

Description: This report provides background and analysis on social security reform. The report discusses the most recent development, the basis for the debate, specific areas of contention and reform initiatives.
Date: December 3, 2003
Creator: Kollmann, Geoffrey & Nuschler, Dawn
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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