America's "Retirement Crisis": The Emperor Has No Clothes

Andrew Biggs
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Andrew Biggs: American Enterprise Institute

AEI Economic Perspectives, 2024

Abstract: This report critically examines the prevalent narrative that the United States faces a "retirement crisis," indicating a significant degree of under-saving by a substantial share of households. The report examines "10 reasons we must urgently get over our retirement crisis denial," put forward by the retirement-crisis narrative’s most prominent proponent, economist Teresa Ghilarducci. The analysis concludes that many of Ghilarducci's 10 points are either trivial or inaccurate. That is, points that are true do not necessarily lead to the conclusion that Americans have under-saved for retirement, while other points that could potentially lead to such conclusions are not factually accurate. Contrary to the crisis narrative, the report highlights significant improvements in retirement preparation and income security among American retirees, including increased access to retirement plans, higher contributions and savings, and rising labor force participation among older workers. Data show substantial gains in inflation-adjusted incomes for elderly households, increased Social Security benefits, and declining old-age poverty rates. The report concludes that the US retirement system is performing well and is projected to continue improving, advising policymakers to refine rather than overhaul the existing system.

Keywords: AEI Economic Perspectives; Entitlement Reform; Retirement; Social Security (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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