Briefing Book

The Briefing Book area has reference materials on Social Security that have been compiled to provide a broad perspective on the upcoming debate. A primary resource for this reference library is a set of statements issued by participants in the White House Conference on Social Security, which was held on December 8 and 9, 1998. This bi-partisan conference included representatives of a broad range of groups who have been active in the Social Security debate and who bring expertise and diverse political viewpoints to the discussion. The materials on the National Dialogue Website have been taken from the White House Website and edited to make them more convenient for online reading and searching. Why We Should Act Now to Preserve and Strengthen Social Security. Statement and greeting from Kenneth S. Apfel, Commissioner of Social Security Background Material on Social Security. This material, developed by Americans Discuss Social Security, provides a non-partisan introduction to the subject of Social Security reform. Why is Reform an issue? When is it likely to become important? What people will be most affected by changes in the Social Security system? Fifteen Options for Reform. 15 options for reforming Social Security, compiled by Americans Discuss Social Security. This list covers the whole political spectrum and includes major proposals currently under consideration by Congressional committees. Statements submitted to the White House Conference. Transcribed from the White House Web site. Additional Statements. Submissions made by participants in the National Dialogue on Social Security. Your organization may provide a statement which will be posted on the National Dialogue Website by sending e-mail to info@network-democracy.org. Please respect the formatting restrictions which applied to submissions for the White House conference - no more than two printed pages in length. Current Proposals for Reform. President Clinton's Proposals. The President outlined a plan to "save" Social Security in his January 19, 1999 State of the Union address and added details to his plan for Universal Savings Accounts (USAs) on April 14, 1999. Saving Social Security Now, Fact Sheet on Saving Social Security State of the Union Address (January 19, 1999) SSA actuaries' memorandum on the President's Proposal. Memorandum on "Long-Range OASDI Financial Effects of the President's Proposal for Strengthening Social Security" (February 12, 1999) Remarks of the President on Universal Savings Accounts (April 14, 1999) Press Briefing by Director of the National Economic Council Gene Sperling and Deputy Secretary of Treasury Larry Summers (April 14, 1999) Universal Savings Accounts, Press Release (April 14, 1999) Senator Moynihan's and Senator Kerrey's Proposal. This bill proposes to reduce Social Security payroll taxes, and for other purposes. Social Security Solvency Act of 1999. S.21 (January 19, 1999) Representative Porter's Proposal. This bill proposes to reform Social Security by creating individual Social Security retirement accounts. Individual Social Security Retirement Accounts Act of 1999. H.R. 874 (February 25, 1999) Summary of ISSRA Representative Markey's, Representative Bartlett's and Representative Pomeroy's Proposal. To provide for investment in private sector securities markets of amounts held in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund for payment of benefits under title II of the Social Security Act. Social Security Investment Fund Act of 1999. H.R. 871 (February 26, 1999) Representative Nadler's Proposal. This bill proposes to amend title II of the Social Security Act to strengthen the Social Security system to meet the challenges of the next century. Social Security Amendments of 1999. H.R. 1043 (March 9, 1999) Representative Archer's and Representative Shaw's Proposal. The Social Security Guarantee Plan was announced on April 28, 1999 as a means of saving and strengthening Social Security without raising taxes or cutting benefits. The Social Security Guarantee Plan. Brief summary (April 28, 1999) SSA actuaries' memorandum on the Archer/Shaw Proposal. Memorandum on "Long-Range OASDI Financial Effects of the Social Security Guarantee Plan" (April 29, 1999) Representative Kolbe's and Representative Stenholm's Proposal. This bill proposes to amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide for individual accounts funded by employee and employer Social Security payroll deductions, to extend the solvency of old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program, and for other purposes. 21st Century Retirement Act. H.R. 1793 (May 13, 1999) Other resources and reference materials. Contributions from the Social Security Administration and from subject experts helping to provide background materials for the National Dialogue. Status of the Social Security and Medicare Programs. A summary of the 1999 Annual Reports of the Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees. The document provides information on the current financial condition of the Social Security trust fund. Understanding the Benefits. Social Security Administration publication number 05-10024 (January, 1999). What you need to know about Social Security while you're still working and what you need to know when it's your turn to collect benefits. White House Speech - July 1, 1998 by Ron Gebhardtsbauer Will Privatization of Social Security Help or Hurt Women? by Anna M. Rappaport