[PEN-L:6687] Means testing Social Security

[Teresa Ghilarducci <Teresa.Ghilarducci.1@xxxxxx>]

A debate between myself and the economist for the Concord Coalition was just
published on means testing Social Security. The Concord Coalition is for it
because they want to turn Social Security into welfare. The reference is
Contoversial Issues in Aging, edited by Kaye and Scharlach, Allyn and Bacon.

So I agree with  Bill Moore for his reasons and others. There are other ways
to strengthen the program and continue its progressivity. We can eliminate
the cap on taxable wages for the employer's contribution, for instance. We
need to tax Rockefeller in other, more effective, ways.


Teresa Ghilarducci


At 12:37 PM 10/14/96 -0700, you wrote:
>Means testing for Social Security benefits?  You'd better think about that
>some more.  Means testing was one of the arguments to fight against SS in
>the first place.  "Why should Rockefeller get the same benefits as you?" --
>Means testing is one way to split people up politically, take away the
>support of those slightly better off than the poorest, and then kill the
>whole SS program.  Means testing makes it a welfare program and those are
>easy to attack.  Even Bill Clinton, despite feeling pain, is willing to do
>that.
>>
>>I agree wholeheartedly and eliminating the "income-cap" on OASDHI is the
>>best first step.  Then, no matter what the AARP may say, implement means
>>testing for SS benefits.  (On the other demographic end, don't encourage
>>population growth with tax-credits.  8<)  Then...
>>==============================================================================
>>  _   /!                           |   Internet:  billkatt@xxxxxxxxxx
>>  \|o.o     Bill the Cat           |Voice:  303/399-6726 | FAX:  303/333-9009
>> ==(_^_)==  ACK!  THPFFTT!         | Copyright USA 1996   All Rights Reserved
>>     U                             |                Bill Moore
>>                                   |   All opinions are solely this writer's.
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Teresa Ghilarducci
Associate Professor
Department of Economics
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
Phone: 219/631-7581
fax:   219/232-3086