Nasi, aarp launch social security innovation challenge

The National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI), in collaboration with AARP, has launched an innovation challenge to help identify policy solutions to strengthen Social Security. Most Social

Security beneficiaries rely on Social Security benefits as their main—or only— source of income in retirement. But under the current program structure, people who must claim their Social

Security benefits early due to ill health, an inability to perform physically demanding jobs, or other issues, receive substantially reduced monthly benefits throughout their lifetimes,

putting them at a high risk of falling into poverty. To address this, NASI , in collaboration with AARP, launched a_ Social Security Policy Innovations Challenge_  open to applicants from

across the country and from a variety of disciplines. The challenge seeks to identify much-needed solutions for these older workers. Applicants are invited to submit policy ideas that are

innovative, feasible, and have the potential to improve economic security for workers with limited employment opportunities who lack the financial security to postpone claiming Social

Security benefits until they reach full retirement age. Three to five winning proposals will be selected and will each receive an award of $20,000—$25,000.  “We believe that good ideas that

have undergone rigorous factual analysis can drive better policymaking,” said AARP Chief Public Policy Officer Debra Whitman. “This Challenge serves as an opportunity to foster the kinds of

innovative ideas that will challenge outdated beliefs and make this vital program stronger for future generations. We are excited to collaborate with the National Academy of Social Insurance

and its membership of experts to discover new ways to protect vulnerable workers and retirees.” This Innovation Challenge builds on the work of AARP’s 2016 Innovation Challenge, which also

sought ideas to strengthen Social Security. FOR MORE INFORMATION: 2018 Social Security Policy Innovations Challenge: Ensuring Adequacy for Workers 2016 Policy Innovation Challenge: Social

Security Adequacy and Solvency Executive Summary of Innovations (PDF) Watch! New Approaches to Social Security (video)