American Social Security Policy Evaluation

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Table of Contents

The Need for the Program
Program Design
Program Implementation
Program Outcomes
Program Efficiency
Conclusion
References

Social security policy in the U.S. that is aimed at enhancing the life experiences of retired populations often faces criticism from the wide public, legislators, and press. Such a fundamental and complex system of welfare requires constant examination and assessment using social research methods, which should ensure its development and proper functioning (Rossi, Lipsey, & Freeman, 2003). In this essay, the key concepts of program evaluation will be applied to the social security policy of the U.S in the framework of such domains as program justification, design, implementation, outcomes, and efficiency.

The Need for the Program

Protection of vulnerable populations is one of the key agendas in the welfare state to which the U.S. aspires. After 65 years of age, a person’s physical and mental capabilities usually dwindle so that self-sufficiency of such individuals also diminishes. Due to the fact, that most of their lives, they contributed meaningfully to the state’s economy, social life, and other aspects of citizenship, the nation protects them when they are no longer capable of contributing by labor (Kitao, 2014). Thus, social justice seems to substantiate the need for social security policy.

Program Design

The design of the social security policy seems to be not without its flaws. As such, Konish (2018) argues that the funds of social security could be used more effectively if its design allows for more liberal investment policy. In Canada, for instance, social security funds are used to finance assets and gain profits from such an activity. In addition, there are accounts of private pension funds lacking liquidity for servicing current liabilities due to financial mismanagement. Thus, the issue of control and degree to which the freedom of fund usage should be allowed persists with the social security policy.

Program Implementation

Implementation of the program also seems to be problematic in certain aspects. Siedle (2013) suggests that among Americans nearing pension age, there are 75% of those who have less than $30,000 in savings under the retirement plan. It appears that there persists an insufficiency in funding as the percentage of the aging population grows. Social security numbers that are used in the system of individual identification are also subject to fraudulent schemes and theft. Actions of criminals caused misfortune to thousands of stakeholders and millions of dollars in damage (Van Vlasselaer, Eliassi-Rad, Akoglu, Snoeck, & Baesens, 2016). Therefore, the implementation domain requires intervention as well.

Program Outcomes

With all its flaws, the social security policy helps many retired families stay above the poverty line. Kitao (2014) argues that pension programs and disability insurances allow citizens to have increased confidence in the future. Yet, there is also a controversy of the uneven nature of collection and distribution, which increases social segregation (Kostøl & Mogstad, 2011). While this is indeed a threatening concern, without social security, vulnerable populations would be more likely to lead poor lives.

Program Efficiency

About 68 million people in the U.S. receive material help under the policy, the majority of whom are elderly (Social Security Administration, 2019). According to Romig (2018), thanks to social security, the poverty rates among pension-age individuals reduced by 40% and in all ages combined by almost 20%. People of color, low wage earners, disabled and other populations insecure in one or another way, have a chance to lead normal lives thanks to governmental protection.

Conclusion

Overall, the social security policy seems to have a strong impact on the economy and social life in the U.S. Evaluation of this social intervention demonstrated certain issues such as fraud protection, fund usage, tax collection equality that need addressing. However, the confidence in the future and poverty protection the policy gives to insecure populations characterizes it positively and explains the need for its existence.

References

Kitao, S. (2014). Sustainable social security: Four options. Review of Economic Dynamics, 17(4), 756-779.

Konish, L. (2018). You may want to rethink this strategy for claiming Social Security early. CNBC. Web.

Kostøl, A. R., & Mogstad, M. (2011). How financial incentives induce disability insurance recipients to return to work. Web.

Romig, K. (2018). Social security lifts more Americans above poverty than any other program. Web.

Rossi, P. H., Lipsey, M. W., & Freeman, H. E. (2003). Evaluation: A systematic approach. New York, NY: SAGE Publications.

Siedle, E. (2013). The greatest retirement crisis in American history. Web.

Social Security Administration. (2019). Monthly statistical snapshot, January 2019. Web.

Van Vlasselaer, V., Eliassi-Rad, T., Akoglu, L., Snoeck, M., & Baesens, B. (2016). Gotcha! Network-based fraud detection for social security fraud. Management Science, 63(9), 3090-3110.

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