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The Growing Gap in Life Expectancy by Income: Recent Evidence and Implications for the Social Security Retirement Age

Description: This report provides a brief overview of the concept of life expectancy, how it is measured, and how it has changed over time in the United States. While life expectancy may be studied in a variety of contexts, this report focuses on the link between life expectancy and socioeconomic status (SES), as measured by lifetime income. In particular, this report synthesizes recent research on the life expectancy gap by income and the relationship between this gap and Social Security benefits. Finally,… more
Date: May 12, 2017
Creator: Isaacs, Katelin P. & Choudhury, Sharmila
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Social Security: Cost-of-Living Adjustments

Description: This report discusses the cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for Social Security and the upcoming COLA set to begin in January 2018. Calculations used to determine COLA amounts and a brief history of their use is also included.
Date: October 26, 2017
Creator: Whittaker, Julie M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Social Security Primer

Description: This report provides an overview of Social Security financing and benefits under current law. The report covers a brief history of the program; Social Security financing and the status of the trust funds; how Social Security benefits are computed; the types of Social Security benefits available to workers and their family members; the basic eligibility requirements for each type of benefit; the scheduled increase in the Social Security retirement age; and the federal income taxation of Social S… more
Date: November 30, 2017
Creator: Nuschler, Dawn
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Social Security: The Trust Funds

Description: This report covers how the Social Security program is financed and how the Social Security trust funds work. It will be updated annually to reflect current projections of the financial status of the Social Security trust funds.
Date: September 12, 2017
Creator: Morton, William R. & Liou, Wayne
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Social Security: What Would Happen if the Trust Funds Ran Out?

Description: This report explains what the Social Security trust funds are and how they work. It describes the historical operations of the trust funds and the Social Security trustees' projections of future operations. It explains what could happen if Congress allowed the trust funds to run out. It also analyzes two scenarios that assume Congress waits until the moment of insolvency to act, showing the magnitude of benefit cuts or tax increases needed and how such changes would affect beneficiaries.
Date: September 12, 2017
Creator: Morton, William R. & Liou, Wayne
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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