http://www.heritage.org/static/rss/retirement-security.xmlRetirement Security - The Heritage Foundationen-US© Copyright 2012info@heritage.orgRSS Generator {E4B87355-A137-4129-A8EF-502FE5632682}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2012/04/social-security-finances-significantly-worse-says-2012-trustees-reportDavid JohnSocial Security’s finances significantly worsened last year, according to the 2012 trustees report, because of a weakened economy and the program’s structural problems.Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:39:00 -0400{9D327255-ACCF-4867-BEC0-FB65FB4990CD}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/testimony/2012/04/pursuing-universal-retirement-security-through-automatic-iras-and-account-simplificationDavid JohnBy adapting to the IRA universe practices and arrangements that have proven successful in promoting 401(k) participation, the Automatic IRA holds considerable promise for improving the retirement security of millions of workers.Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:53:00 -0400{2B462E29-3191-49D8-925C-B3D89EDAEB68}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2012/04/pension-funding-issues-hidden-in-transportation-highway-billDavid JohnPension funding issues hidden in a transportation funding bill could cause an even greater taxpayer bailout of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:05:00 -0400{93CB54EB-97DC-4C21-828E-EADEBDC629F1}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2012/03/ryans-budget-confronting-the-nations-government-spending-crisisAlison Acosta Fraser, Patrick Louis KnudsenThe Ryan budget represents real progress toward tackling the nation’s fiscal and economic challenges.Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:38:00 -0400{FF265A74-C291-43FB-BF0A-D2C80E3CF622}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2012/02/president-obamas-2013-budget-delivers-tax-hikes-more-spending-more-debtPresident Obama’s FY 2013 budget is an election-year campaign document, embodying the President’s vision that big government is the solution to any perceived national ailment. The Administration’s apparent vision is one of bigger government, more spending, higher taxes, and deeper deficits.Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:48:00 -0500{54E742AE-F9F9-4AC2-862F-72E4A5521BB7}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2012/02/2012-index-of-dependence-on-governmentWilliam Beach, Patrick TyrrellThe Index of Dependence on Government highlights the gathering fiscal storm clouds. Today more people depend on the federal government for housing, food, income, student aid, or other assistance once considered to be the responsibility of civil society. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:33:00 -0500{3086D420-66F4-44EB-AE44-562A7B6C75B4}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2012/01/government-spending-goals-for-congress-and-the-presidentPatrick Louis KnudsenCongress needs to fix several lingering fiscal problems and then pass a budget for the new year.Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:49:00 -0500{79E5F399-EBD5-4136-9A93-9E3356588024}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2012/01/state-and-local-government-problems-with-public-pension-plansDavid JohnCongress should have little or no role in state and local government employee pension plans.Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:28:00 -0500{F3F1669B-7426-47AA-A5D0-4F3CF0A53553}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2011/11/saving-the-american-dream-improving-health-care-and-retirement-for-military-service-membersBaker SpringThe military’s health care and retirement systems have serious structural problems. Simply tinkering around the edges will leave military personnel and taxpayers paying more for less service. Instead, as The Heritage Foundation proposes, Congress should transform the military health care and retirement systems into defined-contribution plans that maximize individual choice. This would enable military personnel to tailor their benefits to match their individual circumstances while saving the Department of Defense at least $ZZZZ in five years.Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:22:00 -0500{84DC6AF8-CBF1-43CF-ADF1-CC1B6633F47A}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2011/09/military-retirement-system-strengthen-benefits-and-entitlementsBaker SpringTo strengthen and preserve military benefits, comprehensive reforms must update the system and give service members flexibility and options. Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:36:00 -0400{FBB94B45-854B-412E-BD84-8D89308BD9AE}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2011/06/senators-social-security-reform-bill-a-responsible-approachDavid JohnThe Graham–Paul–Lee bill greatly improves Social Security’s financial future without tax increases.Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:46:00 -0400{C385EF0F-13B7-4E64-AD9E-79E8760F809D}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2011/05/social-security-2011-trustees-report-shows-permanent-deficitsDavid JohnThe 2011 Social Security trustees report shows that the program already faces massive permanent annual deficits.Mon, 16 May 2011 11:30:00 -0400{41F2D755-6AC4-41E5-AEDD-9BE1AF68B5F4}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2011/05/ten-myths-of-ryans-house-budget-planBrian Riedl, Robert Moffit, Ph.D., Romina BocciaCritics have relentlessly misrepresented the House budget with these myths.Fri, 13 May 2011 14:11:00 -0400{D57CEE9C-88F9-4D37-B155-57921BF8E00D}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2011/05/saving-the-american-dream-the-heritage-plan-to-fix-the-debt-cut-spending-and-restore-prosperityStuart Butler, Ph.D., Alison Acosta Fraser, William BeachSaving the American Dream is The Heritage Foundation’s plan to fix the debt, cut spending and, above all, restore prosperity. It balances the nation’s budget within a decade—and keeps it balanced. It reduces the debt and cuts government in half. It eliminates government-mandated health care and fully funds our national defense. It squarely confronts Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, the three so-called entitlement programs, which together account for 43 percent of federal spending today.Tue, 10 May 2011 19:19:00 -0400{3F151838-6B28-4112-A98E-B203FA807C28}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/commentary/2010/12/its-fair-that-retirees-benefits-should-begin-at-an-older-ageDavid JohnAT 75, Social Security is starting to show its age. The major source of retirement income for millions of Americans, Social Security has a significant deficit in cash flow.Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500{CD049460-8E50-41B6-8D77-742A41B1E58A}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/commentary/2010/12/gradual-changes-must-be-phased-in-to-strengthen-social-securityDavid JohnAt 75, our Social Security program is starting to show its age. The major source of retirement income for millions of Americans, Social Security is running a significant cash-flow deficit for the first time in decades.Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500{E6638A77-B4E2-473E-9028-030A2F7E185D}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2010/11/time-to-raise-social-securitys-retirement-ageDavid JohnAmericans are living longer, which means they are spending a higher proportion of their lives in retirement, receiving Social Security payments. Yet the government program is a mere five years away from being unable to pay out all of the claims it has promised. Because today’s retirees enjoy longer lives and better health, both Social Security retirement ages (“normal” and “early eligibility”) must be increased. It is common sense, and it is fair. While the retirement ages must be increased, this alone is not change enough to provide a secure future for today’s younger workers. A higher retirement age should be part of a whole package of Social Security reforms, including ending the payroll tax for workers willing to work past their normal retirement age. Heritage Foundation retirement and economic policy expert David C. John explains.Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:07:00 -0500{13C7B8BF-1DE3-43E8-AEFC-6F34C9AF6D1B}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2010/11/bowles-simpson-commission-co-chair-report-a-good-and-welcome-first-stepAlison Acosta FraserThe debt commission’s co-chairs’ report is a mixed bag.Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:30:00 -0500{FF4D958F-2F85-471D-B47A-20438BD7902E}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2010/10/the-2010-index-of-dependence-on-governmentWilliam Beach, Patrick TyrrellThe number of Americans who pay taxes continues to shrink—and the United States is close to the point at which half of the population will not pay taxes for government benefits they receive. In 2009, 64.3 million Americans depended on the government (read: their fellow citizens) for their daily housing, food, and health care. Starting in 2015, the Social Security program will not receive enough taxes to pay all the promised benefits—which will be hard for all job-holders, but devastating for roughly half the American workforce that has no other retirement program. Add in last year's preposterously named American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, spiraling academic grants, flat-out farm socialism, the swelling ranks of Americans who believe themselves entitled to "free" government benefits—and now the government takeover of the nation's health care system—and the very nature of this country's republican form of government is called into question. Like they have been doing since 2002, Heritage Foundation policy experts lay out the increasingly gloomy facts. Can Americans pull back from the brink of complete dependence on government?Thu, 14 Oct 2010 10:28:00 -0400{D7EA9890-5B80-40FB-9AD7-599257648372}http://www.heritage.org/sitecore/content/home/research/reports/2010/10/automatic-retirement-savings-paving-the-path-to-personal-financial-securityDavid JohnSavings plans offered by employers are a good way to save for retirement, and most Americans enroll in them at some point. But unless enrollment is automatic, that point is often too late in the worker’s life to build up a sum large enough for a comfortable retirement. Currently, about a quarter of all employees end up with a retirement income so low that they are completely dependent on Social Security. Studies show that workers who are automatically enrolled in 401(k) or similar plans start saving earlier, save more, and make better investment choices than those whose companies put the onus on them to decide to enroll. With a Social Security crisis looming, the time is now for companies across America to make all retirement-plan enrollments automatic—so that today’s younger workers will enjoy financial security when they retire.Thu, 14 Oct 2010 01:00:00 -0400