Description: This article considers the challenges that need to be addressed in the cost analysis of long range social insurance programs, which in the US is now over a period of 75 years. The main thrust of this paper is the consideration of population changes however, the effects of economic elements cannot be ignored. From Actuarial Research Clearing House, 1984 Volume No. 1.

Description: This article is about a seminar held on October 30, 1997 to discuss mortality improvement in the NAFTA countries and the impact of such improvements on the financing and benefit adequacy of the countries’ individual social security systems. The gathering of about 80 researchers from a variety of disciplines served as a type of summit meeting on the NAFTA countries’ mortality projections. The seminar was Phase 2 of a three-phase SOA research project, 'Impact of Mortality Improvement on Social Security: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.' The project is intended to provide some guidance for appropriate governmental bodies to use in determining future financing and benefit needs for social security. It is sponsored by the SOA, The Actuarial Foundation [formerly the SOA Foundation], the Retirement Research Foundation, the American Society of Pension Actuaries, the social security administration of each NAFTA country, and the Pension Research Council.

Description: This article discusses the relative merits of investing some Social Security assets in common stocks either by 1. Adjusting the retirement benefits and taxes, and investing part of the Social Security trust funds in the stock market [the 'defined benefit,' or DB, method], or 2. Reduce the basic retirement benefits further, and have workers invest part of their future contributions in individual accounts [the 'defined contributions,' or DC, method].

Description: The author summarizes her experience participating as an expert as part of a forum that was launched to give the public a neutral avenue through which to express views on the U.S. Social Security program and possible reforms. This particular forum focused on women's issues with respect to Social Security.

Description: Book review for An American Philosophy of Social Security written by the chairman for the original Social Security Advisory Council and discusses the original and subsequent thinking about social security.

Description: Article from The Actuary, June 1971 – volume 5 - Issue 6 reviews the Advisory Council on Social Security's 1971 report on Social Security and Medicare.

Description: An over view of recent revisions to Social Security, and their implications to the private sector of the insurance industry.

Description: The author notes that “there is reason to expect 1981 to be the biggest year for Social Security legislation since 1977, perhaps even since 1972. The author further notes that the Congress will be forced to act to bring the system into financial balance. The article discusses some of the actions apt to be considered for legislative action including inter-fund borrowing, general fund borrowing, general revenue financing, changes in retirement age, changes in indexing, move towards universal coverage, and others.

Description: This article is a review of the “Report of the Universal Social Security Coverage Study Group,” published by the department of Health and Human Services in March, 1980. The author of this review notes that the mission of this group was “to examine the feasibility and desirability of mandatory Society Security for employees of the federal government, of state and local governments, and of private non-profit organizations. The article discusses what the report sees as major problems with the lack of universal coverage, and recommendations to address them. Editor’s Note: This is excerpted from a full review to appear in the Transactions.

Description: This is a books review of 'Social Security,' Second Edition, 1981, by Robert J. Myers.