I will start by saying that I was surprised and amused to read an economics textbook that was willing to call a beloved social program a pyramid scheme. While I can’t say that I agree with all of the perspectives offered in the textbook, I am grateful for the bold willingness to offer a more thought-provoking discussion. My main perplexities arise in the frankness of the author’s statements. If what Carson and Cleveland say about Social Security is true, how has retiring and collecting it become so embedded our society that it is an integral part of the American Dream? Now, I’m not so facetious that I haven’t considered “well, it’s not that simple…” I understand the implications of tearing down a near-century-old system. There are entire families whose very livelihoods depend upon the benefits they receive from Social Security. However, with the general American attitude toward pyramid schemes so negative, how did it get this far? The retirement age has increased from 65 to 67, and there are supposed benefit “increases“ if you remain employed until age 70. The Social Security Administrations Life Expectancy Calculator predicts that I will live the longest if I don’t retire until age 70 (by 6 months). What is my generation meant to understand from that? What is a Christian meant to understand from that?
top of page
bottom of page