Rethinking Social Insurance

Martin Feldstein

No 11250, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: This paper begins by discussing the nature of and rationale for social insurance programs. I then consider three political principles and four economic principles that could guide the design and reform of social insurance programs. These ideas are then applied to unemployment insurance, Social Security pensions, health insurance and Medicare. A common theme is the advantage of incorporating investment based personal accounts in each of these programs.

JEL-codes: H5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ias and nep-pbe
Note: EFG PE
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (88)

Published as Feldstein, Martin. "Rethinking Social Insurance," American Economic Review, 2005, v95(1,Mar), 1-24.

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