Description: Essay recommending establishing a consistent and actuarially sound foundation for assessing the costs and benefits of each and every current and new Medicare or other healthcare proposal.

Description: The article notes, as explained in Norman Solomon’s paper, TSA XV, 167, so-called windfall appropriations are required annually to finance dual benefits to which certain railroad workers became eligible under the Railroad Retirement Act in consequence of pre-1975 employment that entitled them to both Railroad Retirement and Social Security benefits. The author then notes that the Office of Management and Budget has arbitrarily reduced revised appropriations, and that “the actuarial profession should take a strong stand against this by-passing of actuarial determinations.”

Description: Sets forth the history of the actuarial responsibilities for the Social Security System since the Act of 1935.

Description: During the SOA’s recent Living to 100 Symposium, one of the sessions that got me thinking much more deeply about the financing of public retirement plans was titled “Mortality Age Patterns: Trends and Projections.”

Description: This article consists of a point-counterpoint dialogue addressing important aspects of social insurance programs. It discusses the desirability and advantages of these programs that provide financial assistance to those who are retired, disabled, ill or unemployed.

Description: Letter From the Editor summarizing articles in the newsletter.

Description: A review of a pamphlet which described the amendments to the Social Security Act in 1977.

Description: Discusses a proposal that Social Security retirement benefits should be adjusted according to a special cost-of-living index based upon retirees spending habits rather than the familiar CPI.

Description: Continues actuarial discussion on the book Social Security: Perspectives for Reform.

Description: The article describes an interactive game related to Social Security and how the user can play the game.