Score contribution per author:
α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count
This paper reviews the long-term financial problems facing the U.S. Social Security system. Not only is the system out of long-term actuarial balance, but implicit rates of return on worker contributions are low and dropping. The paper discusses different approaches for dealing with the twin problems suggested by the 1994-1996 Advisory Council on Social Security, ending with a case for a middle-of-the-road approach featuring modest long-term benefit cuts and small, centrally managed, add-on individual accounts. (Copyright: Elsevier)