title: A critique of the case for privatizing Social Security.
abstract: This article presents and then critiques arguments made by those advocating the privatization of Social Security. It refutes the argument that baby boomers will find themselves without Social Security pensions unless fundamental changes are made. It questions the claims that privatization would increase economic growth, reduce the federal deficit, make the nation more competitive in the global economy, protect workers against payroll tax increases, protect boomers against pension benefit cuts, and increase confidence in Social Security. It argues that for low-wage workers, returns on contributions would probably decrease and future benefits would become politically more vulnerable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02167, USA.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Williamson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004465:Economic Competition; D006801:Humans; D011057:Politics; D011332:Privatization; D012943:Social Security / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D013660:Taxes; D014481:United States