Visions for the Future of Social Insurance Program - Call for Essays
Overview and Content
Social insurance (SI) programs in the United States play a large role in providing income security in retirement for Americans. These programs include the OASDI (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) program—which for most Americans means Social Security--as well as others covering unemployment, worker’s compensation and temporary disability and other benefits. Periodically, the level, timing of access and form of payment of program benefits (e.g., a lump sum benefit versus the more traditional monthly annuity) become topics of greater interest among the many stakeholders of the programs. As Federally legislated benefits, they are subject to change in ways that those in most private and public sector retirement programs are not. Having been around for decades, the benefits have become part of the fabric of the US economy. Most private and public sector retirement plans implicitly take into account projected benefit levels of these programs in determining their own benefit levels and coverages.
In light of the importance of social insurance benefits for the financial security of many individuals and families, the Society of Actuaries’ Social Insurance and Public Finance (SIPF) Section is interested in a further exploration of the current state of the related programs and visions for their future. The focus of this exploration is in identifying innovative and actuarially-driven approaches that address current and potential future challenges.
In issuing this call for essays, SIPF aims to gather perspectives, opinions and data on possible short and long-term changes to the current U.S. social insurance programs as well as promote further conversation on potential future new programs or changes. The organizers are particularly interested in the potential impact of these programs on a variety of stakeholders -- individuals, employers, Federal, State, and local governments and others --- and both direct and indirect possible outcomes.
As background in structuring essays, the organizers are particularly interested in discussion of existing social insurance programs or ideas for new programs that authors envision serving current and expanded societal roles. The organizers have deliberately written this call for essays with a broad scope to allow authors a wide range of options in crafting their essays.
Authors are free to take a macro focus on programs in general or choose to focus on one or more individual programs. In keeping with the Society of Actuaries mission of education and research, it is important to note that essays should not opine on specific related legislation and not include political statements or views. Essays not adhering to this general guidance will not be considered for publication nor an award.
The following are sample questions that authors may find helpful in shaping their essays:
- What specific problems does the essay address and how are those problems currently perceived by those most impacted?
- For current social insurance programs under consideration in the essay, to what extent is a program currently considered by some to be sufficient or problematic?
- To what extent would a new program be viewed as possibly solving current issues vs. anticipation of future challenges?
- Which demographic groups are addressed in the essay? How would they benefit? What additional challenges may they face?
- Which stakeholders are addressed in the essay and how might the balance between stakeholders shift by any potential changes?
- Are there practical barriers to the changes being discussed and how would they be resolved?
- Have the ideas in the essay been tried before, perhaps outside of the U.S.? Are there any lessons that can be learned from other countries?
The above list is in no way intended to be exhaustive and authors are encouraged to consider other potential questions that fall under the theme of this call for essays.
Timeline
The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2023
Length and Instructions for Submission
Essays must be submitted in English with a desired length of between 500 to 2,500 words. There is no requirement for formal or extensive footnoting.
Author information must be submitted with the essay and include name; credentials or designations (if appropriate); title; organization/company; e-mail address; and phone number. Please provide all author information at the beginning of the essay.
Essays that contain any political statements, commercial content, and other inappropriate material will not be accepted. Articles must comply with the SOA's antitrust guidelines.
Please submit your essay via e–mail to:
Katelyn Kramer (she/her/hers), Engagement Specialist
Society of Actuaries
e–mail: kkramer@soa.org
Awards
The review committee will select the leading essays and may elect to award a first prize of $2,000, a second prize of $1,000, and a third prize of $500 for the top three essays, and all essays that meet minimum standards will be published. Consideration will be given to creativity, originality and the extent to which an idea could contribute to the further development of solutions. In exchange for award money, selected authors will be required to assign all copyrights in their essays to the Society of Actuaries.
Authors are ineligible for awards if an essay is based on an SOA-sponsored and funded research study conducted by the author. However, authors are welcome to submit such essays for publication consideration.
Social Insurance and Public Finance Section council members, SOA staff members, and judges of this contest are all ineligible for awards.
Publication and Presentation
Depending on how many essays are received and the diversity among the topic areas, a suitable format for electronic publication and dissemination will be selected. Essays may also be presented at an SOA meeting, webcast, or other professional development event.
In addition, other venues for publication or presentation of the ideas outside of the SOA will be considered. It is hoped that publication of the collected essays will further knowledge and stimulate discussion as well as promote future efforts in this area.
Rights Granted
Please understand that by submitting an essay for consideration, the essay author(s) is granting to the Society of Actuaries an unlimited license to print or republish their essay, with proper attribution given to the author(s).
Questions
Please direct any questions regarding this Call for Essays to:
Katelyn Kramer (she/her/hers), Engagement Specialist
Society of Actuaries
e–mail: kkramer@soa.org