Social Security Taxes Set to Rise for Some Employees in 2017
The Social Security Administration has announced that the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax will climb 7.3% in 2017.
Author: Brenton Smith
The Great Trust Fund Robbery
The word “steal” is used very loosely in the Social Security debate. However, if anyone is guilty of actually “stealing” from Social Security, the author says that one man stands out above all others. He explains how he believes this to be the case.
Changing to Elderly Index for COLA Calculation Will Be Insignificant
Legislation would change the COLA calculation for Social Security and federal retirees to the CPI-E index. It would also benefit those collecting spousal benefits.
The Current State of the Social Security Trust Funds
The Social Security Board of Trustees has released its latest report on the health of Social Security. The report says that the trust funds should enable paying scheduled benefits until 2034, but the author notes it doesn’t actually say the trust fund will last until then.
The Dueling Myths of Social Security
The author says that the discussion of Social Security has degenerated into a battle over the control of the meaning of words in which one person’s myth is the next person’s fact.
Social Security And The Wall Street Hobgoblins
The author says that of all of the ideas offered by politicians regarding Social Security, privatization is among the worst.
Bernie Sanders’ Social Security Plan Won’t Work
The author says that while he is the only candidate running for president who has put forth any visible plan on Social Security, Bernie Sanders’ proposal for reforming the program will ultimately not work. He explains the shortcomings he sees with what Sanders suggests doing to Social Security.
Presidential Candidates’ Social Security Proposals Throw Future Seniors Under the Bus
The author says that the presidential candidates so far have said little about their plans for Social Security, but to the extent ideas have been put forward, they do nothing to solve the long term financial problems facing the program.
New CBO Report Shows Deterioration In Solutions For Social Security
The Congressional Budget Office recently released the 2015 forecast of Social Security Policy Options. The author notes that this report is more pessimistic than similar reports from the Social Security Administration’s actuaries. He provides a summary of the report and what it says about the prospects of Social Security’s ability to continue to pay benefits.
The Myth of the Missing Social Security Trust Fund
The author says that one of the most enduring myths of the Social Security debate suggests that the money collected for the system was spent on other government programs. He provides an explanation of why he says this is not true.
