The Innovative Traveler - Fisher Storms on the Horizon Part 9 of 18

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Fisher Storms on the Horizon Part 9 of 18

By Webmaster, on November 28, 2008 03:14 AM

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Published in : The News, Delta Sites

Typically, critics ranging from the Concord Coalition to Ross Perot begin by wringing their collective hands over the unfunded liabilities of Social Security. A little history gives you a view as to why. Franklin Roosevelt originally conceived a social security system in which individuals would fund their own retirements through payroll-tax contributions. But Congress quickly realized that such a system Fast Forex Profits could not put much money into the pockets of indigent elderly citizens ravaged by the Great Depression. Instead, a pay-as-you-go funding system was embraced, making each generations retirement the responsibility of its children.

Now, fast forward 70 or so years and ask this question: What is the mathematical predicament of Social Security today? Answer: The amount of money the Social Security system would need today to cover all unfunded liabilities from now onwhat fiscal economists call the infinite horizon discounted value of what has already been promised recipients but has no funding mechanism currently in placeis $13.6 trillion, an amount slightly less than Predict Market Turning Points the annual gross domestic product of the United States.

Demographics explain why this is so. Birthrates have fallen dramatically, reducing workerretiree ratio and leaving todays workers pulling a bigger load than the system designers ever envisioned. Life spans have lengthened without a corresponding increase in the retirement age, leaving retirees in a position to receive benefits far longer than the system designers envisioned. Formulae for benefits and cost-of-living adjustments have also contributed to the growth in unfunded liabilities.

The Innovative Traveler