Social Security Policy in a Changing Environment (National Bureau of Economic Research Conference Report)

__Social Security Policy in a Changing Environment__ analyzes the changing economic and demographic environment in which social insurance programs that benefit elderly households will operate. It also explores how these ongoing trends will affect future beneficiaries, under both the current social security program and potential reform options. In this volume, an esteemed group of economists probes the challenge posed to Social Security by an aging population. The researchers examine trends in private sector retirement saving and health care costs, as well as the uncertain nature of future demographic, economic, and social trends—including marriage and divorce rates and female participation in the labor force. Recognizing the ambiguity of the environment in which the Social Security system must operate and evolve, this landmark book explores factors that policymakers must consider in designing policies that are resilient enough to survive in an economically and demographically uncertain society. This Volume Analyzes The Changing Economic And Demographic Environment In Which Social Insurance Programmes Benefiting Elderly Households Will Operate. It Also Explores How These Ongoing Trends Will Affect Future Beneficiaries, Under Both The Current Social Security Programme And Potential Reform Options. 1. Removing The Disincentives In Social Security For Longer Careers / Gopi Shah Goda, John B. Shoven, And Sita Nataraj Slavov -- 2. Notional Defined Contribution Pension Systems In A Stochastic Context : Design And Stability / Alan J. Auerbach And Ronald Lee -- 3. Reforming Social Security With Progressive Personal Accounts / John Geanakoplos And Stephen P. Zeldes -- 4. Who Chooses Defined Contribution Plans? / Jeffrey R. Brown And Scott J. Weisbenner -- 5. The Importance Of Default Options For Retirement Saving Outcomes : Evidence From The United States / John Beshears [and Others] -- 6. Reducing The Risk Of Investment-based Social Security Reformed / Martin Feldstein -- 7. Pricing Personal Account Benefit Guarantees : A Simplified Approach / Andrew Biggs, Clark Burdick, And Kent Smetters -- 8. Reducing Social Security Pra Risk At The Individual Level : Life-cycle Funds And No-loss Strategies / James M. Poterba [and Others] -- 9. Changing Progressivity As A Means Of Risk Protection In Investment-based Social Security / Andrew A. Samwick -- 10. The Decline Of Defined Benefit Retirement Plans And Asset Flows / James M. Poterba, Steven F. Venti, And David A. Wise -- 11. Demographic Change, Relative Prices, International Capital Flows, And Their Differential Effects On The Welfare Of Generations / Alexander Ludwig, Dirk Krüger, And Axel Börsch-supan -- 12. Is The U.s. Population Behaving Healthier? / David M. Cutler, Edward L. Glaeser, And Allison B. Rosen. Edited By Jeffrey R. Brown, Jeffrey Liebman, And David A. Wise. This Volume Consists Of Papers Presented At A Conference Held In Woodstock, Vermont In October 2006--acknowledgments. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.