The traditional perspective on government debt, as presented by authors such as Buchanan (1958), Bowen et al. (1960) and Modigliani (1961) highlights the negative macroeconomic consequences of public debt and underline its burden for future generations. The authors emphasize that future generations will endure a diminished capital stock and hence have a reduced income. In a paper analyzing the impact of internal and external debt, Diamond (1965) argues that internal debt increases the interest rate, lowers utility in the efficient case and is likely to rise or lower it in the inefficient case, while external debt moves the interest rate away from the growth rate and may raise or lower utility rates in inefficient cases. The author uses both a centrally planned economy and a competitive one to explore long-run competitive equilibrium in a growth model, and then explores the effects on this equilibrium of government debt. Another strand of literature argues that public debt does not matter. This is based on Barro’s theorem of debt neutrality, which is founded in the hypothesis of intergenerational altruism. The theory, as it was initially formulated by Barro (1974) and Becker (1974), argues that taxes for intergenerational redistribution across individuals do not affect their utility. This is mainly based on the argument that individual utility is driven by their own consumption and also from the level of utility of future generations. For additional literature on the subject of intergenerational altruism, see Andreoni (1989), Altig and Davis (1989), and Michel et al. (2006). Despite the above streams, authors such as Fincke and Greiner (2011), Haugh (2011) and Collignon (2012), argue that up to a certain point government debt is be... ... middle of paper ... ... sustainability of Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) systems at their current status, social security taxes will not be enough to finance the outstanding pension benefits. Additionally, in a study using Sweden as an example, Bengtsson and Scott (2011) argue that due to the change in age structure the welfare will be confronted with challenges regarding financing benefits at their current levels. The authors state that the most likely solution to this matter will be an increase in tax base, since reductions in welfare provision are disregarded both from a political and social level. Woods (2007) highlights that an aging population unbalances the social policy structures around pensions, employment and care. As a potential solution to this matter, Espig-Andersen (2006) and Schmid (2006) argue that the impact of demographic change may be softened with the change in retirement ages.
Stephen C. Goss has extensively written about the future financial status of the social security program for the Americans and for the whole world at large. He patently articulates that changes enacted in 1983 on Social Security are expected to bring dynamic revolution, such that the benefits and other compensations would be paid in full and on a timely basis until 2037. In 2037, trust fund reserves are expected to be virtually exhausted. After the reserves are used, continuing taxes will be vastly relied upon to pay 76% of the benefits. There will be need and the necessity for the Congress to deliberate on changes concerning the program. It is estimated that reduction of benefits by 13% or a sudden increase in payroll tax to 14.4% from 12.4% or a combination of these two strategies will lead to full payment of scheduled benefits for the next 75 years. In the article, Stephen Goss explicitly analyzes the financial state of the Social Security program. He fundamentally analyzes the aspects of solvency and sustainability. It also evaluates the effect of the social program on the federal budget. It is apparent that social benefits that Americans deserve will continue in the future with certain adjustments to be implemented by the congress and by the legislative bodies.
As of today America’s national debt is 18 trillion dollars and approximately 5 trillion of that is held by foreign countries including China and Japan. In the last few years we seem to hear more about balancing the country’s budget and politicians raising the debt ceiling so we can pay on this debt. How have we gotten into such an overwhelming and complicated problem with our nation’s money? Ironically the same can be said for our individual household debt as well as making the same mistakes and trying to find creative ways to be accountable to our financial responsibilities. Teaching the basics of personal finance n our schools can culturally change our financial practices, leading to a more financially literate public and a stronger, more stable, America. If the younger generations can become more financially savvy, then there is an opportunity for our nation as a whole to become less dependent on debt to survive.
The US has been in and out of debt countless times throughout history, going as far back as the Civil War. However, debt did not become a truly relevant problem until much later, in the 1980s (Budget Deficits). Up to that point, large budget deficits were generally only allowed during wartime, but this pattern ended after the Great Depression. Roosevelt’s New Deal meant that the government spent much more than it previously did, even after the economy improved (Budget De...
...uilibrium in public finances and distorted tax system particularly rely on seignorage. More specifically, fiscal policy has a significant effect on inflation in countries where government securities markets are less developed. In this connection, Telatar, Telatar and Ratti (2003) argue that term structure contains important information about future inflation and therefore can be used as a guide for initiating monetary policy to target price stability. According to their study, short-term borrowing at high interest rate stimulates re-borrowing in order to repay the debt services, thereby creating a viscous circle of high budget deficits and high interest rates. Since political weakness is one of the major reasons to this chronic and high budget deficit and inflation, the development of stable political institutions is therefore necessary in order to stabilize prices.
Each day that goes by there is a politician or journalist arguing about social security, the plans for saving it, and the repercussions of said plans. These topics are constantly flowing through newspapers, internet sites, online journals, and economic journals as well as many other forms of media. The major topic of discussion is the plan put forth by the current administration to reform social security, or more specifically, privatize it. There is no correct argument or correct opinion on how the situation with social security should be handled. Unfortunately, the government has the power in their hands to do with it as they see fit. Presented in this paper are numerous articles stating the condition of social security and specific problems with the way social security stands today.
Recent budget controversy in Congress and the media has once again brought to the forefront the pressing desire for fiscal responsibility in the United States Government. Although Congress came to a compromise over the budget in the proverbial eleventh hour, the extra attention afforded to the budget issue has reignited a lingering controversy: is the current system of transfer payment programs a financially viable one, or should these programs be recognized as an economic burden? As new waves of retirees stream into the system, it has once more become necessary to consider whether or not the U.S. Government can truly afford to keep the implicit promises it has made, and if the next generation to reach retirement age will see the benefits that it pays for current claimants to enjoy.
When coming to college your whole money situation changes, suddenly you're bombarded with housing costs and student loans that you have to pay back or you will spiral into debt. Your whole life changes you don't have your parents paying for your voluptuous wants and needs, you’re on your own. The move from high school understudy to college undergrad is a standout amongst the most upsetting and essential times in an adolescent's life. Not only is your day to day life going to change but your spending habits have to change. The school years are a period where a high school student leaves their support team behind,
The damage caused by tax increases rises more than proportionally as tax rates rise. The initial Social Security tax in 1937 was 2 percent on the first $3,000 of wages for a maximum tax of $60, which is equal to about $1,000 today. Thus, even after adjusting for inflation, today 's maximum tax is about 14 times larger than it was originally. When considering Social Security 's unsustainable finances, there are a few basic ways of tackling the problem. In 2013, the tax is 12.4 percent and the cap is $113,700, for a maximum tax of about $14,000. More than two dozen countries have moved to retirement systems based on personal accounts. Personal accounts have long been discussed as a superior alternative to the current pay-as-you-go Social Security system. Personal accounts would also encourage greater work effort and thus boost economic growth. Tax increases are not the answer to solve America 's problem of overpromised elderly entitlement programs. The first option has been used repeatedly over the last eight decades to temporarily prop up the program. The combined effect of such huge tax increases would dramatically shrink wage and income tax bases, perhaps prompting policymakers to raise tax rates even higher. Since tens of millions of middle- and higher-income workers already face high marginal tax rates on their wages, future increases in payroll taxes would be
College debt is a universally known issue that remains one of society’s largest burdens today. Over the past ten years, high school students and graduates realized that they must seek a higher education in order to find a job that keeps food on the table. Attending a college or university is practically required in order to succeed in life today. Millions of people seek a higher education to pursue a degree, graduate, and acquire a quality job that supports their everyday needs. It often means a lot of money to pursue and earn a degree nowadays. What they don’t realize, is that paying their tuition and housing deposits is essentially signing a contract, costing them thousands of dollars in the near future and leading them down the dark path
Social security, since instituted in 1935, has kept many elderly people from running below the poverty line (Hosansky). In 2015, the Social Security Administration predicted that the funds would be depleted by 2034 (Max). This poses a serious threat to the living situation of future generations when they retire. Our elderly, by today’s standards, enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. They are able to retire and still make over one thousand dollars a month. Some people also have private pensions which allow them to live even more comfortably. But with social security funds running out, we must ask the inevitable question. Is it worth having social security anymore? Social security should be kept. One must never fully rely on social security. In addition
There is much-heated debate on the issues of Social Security today. The Social Security system is the largest government program of income distribution in the United States. People are concerned that they won't see a dime of what they worked so hard to contribute into the Social Security system for so many years. Social Security provides benefits to about forty-three million Americans. Not only to retired workers, but also to their spouses and dependents of the workers who die prematurely. It also provides benefits to disabled workers and their dependents. Social Security appears to most people like a simple retirement saving’s account. After all, you generally contribute through payroll deductions, then get money back after you retire. Nonetheless, Social Security is a complex and intricate communal program. By design, Social Security involves massive subsidies from the next generation of retirees to the present, from single workers to married couples. Now that the gigantic post World War II baby boomers generation approaches retirement age, there is concern about the consequences it will have on Social Security. There are basically three options, we can do nothing and allow Social Security to run it’s course, revise Social Security, or consider privatization of the system.
Everyone has their own political leaning and that leaning comes from one’s opinion about the Government. Peoples’ opinions are formed by what the parties say they will and will not do, the amounts they want spend and what they want to save. In macroeconomic terms, what the government spends is known as fiscal policy. Fiscal policy is the use of taxation and government spending for the purposes of stimulating or slowing down growth in an economy. Fiscal policy can be used for expansionary reasons, which is aimed at growing the economy and increasing employment, or contractionary which is intended to slow the growth of an economy. Expansionary fiscal policy features increased government spending and decreases in the tax rates as where contractionary policy focuses on lowering government spending and increasing tax rates. It must be understood that fiscal policy is meant to help the economy, although some negative results may arise.
The article titled “You Are What You Owe,” centers around the recent gridlock in Washington over the debt ceiling (Mallaby, 2011). The article explores what would have happened had the United States government not come to an agreement on the American debt ceiling. The article also relates the United States crisis to previous counties that have faced this crisis in the past (Mallaby, 2011). The article reports on the finance and economic conditions in 2011 in the United States during the debt crisis (Mallaby, 2011). The article also discusses the American credit and bond strength and government’s securities, as well as the United States federal debt (Mallaby, 2011). The Gross Domestic Product or GDP, for different countries is also discussed in this recent article (Mallaby, 2011). The United States foreign economic relationships are also explored in the article titled, “Yo...
Global debt crisis is essentially widespread globally. There are different issues that can cause debt crises. Currently, different countries around the world are facing debt crises, and definitely that is because of an error in the banking system. We’ll see below what are the main causes briefly and what are really the objectives that lead to a collapse in the banking system or so financial crisis.
There are two main ways to raise money for a project, growing business, or startup company: debt financing and equity financing. Debt financing includes long-term loans, while equity financing is the process of raising capital through the sale of shares in an enterprise. It is essentially the sale of an ownership interest to raise funds for business purposes.