"Although efforts to reform Social Security seem to have reached an impasse, the long-term problem - the projected Social Security deficit - remains. In Pension Puzzles, sociologists Melissa Hardy and Lawrence Hazelrigg explain for a general audience the fiscal challenges facing Social Security and explore the larger political context of the Social Security debate. Drawing together economic analyses, public opinion data, and historical narratives, Pension Puzzles is a guide to the major proposals for Social Security reform. It is also an exploration of what debate reveals about American political culture in the twenty-first century."--BOOK JACKET. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Sociologists Hardy and Hazelrigg (Pennsylvania State Univ.) address efforts to avert an ascribed crisis in the US Social Security system generated by the expected increase in retiring baby boomers. Already in a fiscal quagmire, Social Security revenues are expected to diminish below benefit payments in the future due to a low number of workers in relation to retirees. Much of the book analyzes the many proposals offered to confront the gap between expected revenues and mandated benefits, none of which have received general public acceptance. The economics and demographic processes are said to be too complex for public comprehension. Moreover, the authors describe the US political process as broken, foreclosing the hope of rational resolution. Aside from rejecting proposals that involve set-asides for investment in securities by individuals to provide retirement income--so-called privatization--the authors explicitly eschew choosing or offering their own recommendations. Since the problems facing Social Security are described as technical, they believe a group of technicians should be appointed to work together to develop solutions. This volume is distinguished by immense scholarship in economics and political science extending beyond the Social Security issue to the proper role of government in the economy. An important addition to the literature. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate, research, and professional collections. Graduate Students; Researchers/Faculty; Professionals/Practitioners. Reviewed by H. I. Liebling. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Lawrence Hazelrigg is professor emeritus at Florida State University and adjunct professor of sociology at The Pennsylvania State University. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

About the Authors	xiii
Preface	xv
Chapter 1 Introduction	1
Chapter 2 Words, Concepts, and Principles in Contention	17
Chapter 3 Trust and Trust Funds	43
Chapter 4 Preservation or Privatization	65
Chapter 5 Markets and Social Insurance	116
Chapter 6 Politics and Pensions	143
Chapter 7 Changing Actors for Changing Times	180
Chapter 8 Questions of Principal and Principle	214
Notes	233
References	257
Index	269

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.