Customer Reviews

Saving Social Security (from Congress)

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This is one of the best books on Social Security for the general public, and I write as a Social Security scholar who has published a book of his own. Bert McLachlan has a genuine gift for explaining the Social Security program, its problems, and possible solutions in clear, straightforward language that everybody can understand. He does an excellent job of sorting out the tricky complexities of federal budget accounting--"on-budget," "off-budget," and "unified budget" outlays, revenues, surpluses, and deficits--and explains how Social Security's revenue surpluses have been used to make our budget deficit problem look less horrendous than it really is. His explanation of Social Security is accurate, lucid and trustworthy. So is his explanation of the coming financial crisis in Social Security and of the realities of the widely-misrepresented and misunderstood Social Security "trust fund." McLachlan walks his readers through the bewildering array of reform options and offers sensible and well-articulated recommendations of his own. You don't have to agree with his own solution to find plenty of value in his treatment of reform. Throughout, he uses data competently. His numerical examples are clear, well-explained and helpful. The political cartoons add a welcome light touch. One of the nicest things about this book is its sincere public spiritedness; McLachlan has no ideological axe to grind, but rather is honestly seeking the best answer for Social Security with an open mind. Another is his genuine concern and respect for his readers. If you're a general reader with no background in Social Security seeking to educate yourself on a topic crucial to your country's future and your own, this is the place to start. If you're already familiar with Social Security, you will benefit from McLachlan's clear prose, fresh perspective, and firm grip on realities.

Bert McLachlan's Saving Social Security (From Congress) is a vivid, cautionary advocate of the dire peril the current Social Security retirement plan is in. Written for the non-specialist lay reader in order to specifically to clear up lies and popular misconceptions, Saving Social Security (From Congress) unambiguously informs the reader of the facts about the federal budget and the options facing our nation today. This is an absolute "must read" for anyone paying taxes for Social Security now, or expecting to receive it in the future!