Beyond the Theory . George W. Bush is entering the presidency with a firm mandate to reform Social Security and has promised to make the issue a top priority for his administration. Visit the conference website and watch streaming video of the event. Reengineering Social Security in the New Economy , by Thomas F. Siems, January 23, 2001. Solvency is not enough.
Workers deserve the best possible deal for their dollar.
Theoretically, this could be accomplished by raising taxes or cutting benefits. But Social Security faces a second crisis as well. Young workers will receive a negative rate of return from the program, receiving less in benefits than they pay in taxes. This low return, and other inequities, particularly disadvantages women, the poor, and minorities. Any Social Security reform must reverse this trend, raising the rate of return and providing higher retirement benefits.