Chapter 9: Welfare and Social Security Policy
Study
Chapter
9 examines poverty and the variety of programs that address it and help
individuals maintain their income levels. A focused exploration of the variety
of ways that policy analysts examine this important issue begins the
discussion.
The first major
program studied is Social Security, one of a number of federal programs
designed to help individuals maintain a minimal income level after retirement
or if they are unable to continue working before they reach retirement age.
‘The program continues to receive considerable attention from the media and
policymakers. It is reviewed here with an emphasis on the potential problems it
will face in the future--especially its continued financial viability. The
focused discussion examines the role that personal accounts may have in
addressing Social Security’s financial issues and in encouraging greater
investment return.
The other major program to address low-income individuals is welfare. Different programs are reviewed, but most of the discussion focuses on the program currently administered under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 (PRWORA). This law was a major reform of the former Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. Evaluation of welfare reform--and the problems it raises--is a major component of this chapter.