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Because the - all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculate, for example, is on the table; whether or not benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases. There's a series of parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those different cost drivers, affecting those - changing those with personal accounts, the idea is to get what has been promised more likely to be - or closer delivered to what has been promised. Does that make any sense to you? It's kind of muddled. Look, there's a series of things that cause the - like, for example, benefits are calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate - the benefits will rise based upon inflation, as opposed to wage increases. There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised benefits grow, if those - if that growth is affected, it will help on the red. (4 February 2005)[59]

George W. Bush#171

PolicyEconomicsReform

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker discusses potential changes to benefit formulas and personal accounts to fix cost drivers.
In plain terms
Adjusting how benefits grow and adding accounts could fix financial issues.
What can you take from it?
Complex reforms aim to make promises more sustainable.

Where it applies

  • policy meetings
  • interviews
  • budget discussions

Putting it to work

  • analyze cost drivers
  • review benefit formulas

Questions to consider

  • How do cost drivers affect long-term benefits?
  • What makes a policy explanation clear?

Another view

The explanation is convoluted and may confuse the public about actual changes.

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