Description: The widening gap in life span between high- and low-income Americans may be eroding the progressivity of Social Security retirement benefits. Differential longevity trends have had the effect of raising lifetime benefits for high earners but not for low earners. Social Security’s long-term financial problems result in part from an increase in average life expectancy driven by wealthier people living longer, and, thereby, collecting more benefits. Policymakers should not use funding shortfalls attributable to these trends as an excuse to cut monthly benefits alike for those who have gained (high earners) and for those who haven’t (low earners).

Description: The Social Security Administration’s Office of the Chief Actuary performs estimates for a wide variety of proposals to make changes to Social Security. Many proposals address the long-range solvency deficit for Social Security’s Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Funds. Other proposals make revisions to specific aspects of Social Security law without significant effects on long-term solvency. This article discusses and provide examples of both types of proposals.

Description: Comparison of Healthy Michigan and Healthy Indiana Plan Medicaid expansion programs.

Description: Discussion of state medicaid expansion due to provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

Description: This article discusses information regarding the oldest population and its impact to the social insurance programs.

Description: A description of the changes to Social Security that will occur in 2019.

Description: Letter from the editor urging section members to participate in section activities.

Description: Feature article from the January 2010 issue of In The Public Interest discussing whether or not the retirement age needs to be increased.

Description: Reported on what was discussed at the first Council meeting of the Social Insurance & Public Finance Section.