Article: Top Ten Myths of Social Security

Volume 3, Issue 2

Richard L. Kaplan 

In this article, Professor Kaplan exposes the ten biggest myths surrounding the Social Security System program as a means of evaluating potential budget reform proposals affecting this program. Professor Kaplan begins by noting the resiliency with which the Social Security program has deflected budget-cutting pressures. Next, Professor Kaplan identifies and then debunks each of the ten myths. Finally, Professor Kaplan concludes that the current level of Social Security benefits could be justifiably reduced, that certain eligibility requirements for benefits could be legitimately narrowed, and that certain taxes on recipients could be reasonably extended.

Richard L. Kaplan is Professor of Law, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.