Reforming Social Security Bill

[Emsworth]

Reforming Social Security Bill

1. The Thrift Savings Plan is hereby amended to include "Lifecycle Funds." Lifecycle funds will be instated under the provisions provided by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board in this report.

2. A program is hereby implemented that explores the idea of extending the benefits and privileges of the Thrift Savings Plan to the general populace.
     a. The said plan shall be first implemented on a trial basis with 500 randomly selected volunteers for each of the G, S, C, F, I, and L funds.
     b. This trial shall last for a duration of 12 months (3 years regular time), with a report being made every 6 months to the Senate by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.
     c. At any time before or after the 12 month deadline of the trial, the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia shall further explore the idea of extending the Thrift Savings Plan to the general public.
     d. If a plan is enacted extending the Thrift Savings Plan to the general populace it must include the following restrictions:
          i. The plan shall replace the Social Security benefits of any participant.
          ii. It shall not be required for any person to invest in the Thrift Savings Plan.
          iii. The plan shall be implemented over a period of twenty years under the guidance of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, with no participant being over the age of 50 at the time the plan is implemented.

Sponsor: Sen. True Independent

[True Democrat]

I would just like to post some links that would better explain this program.

http://www.tsp.gov/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrift_Savings_Plan

http://www.washingtonwatchdog.org/documents/usc/ttl5/ptIII/subptG/ch84/subchIII/index.html

http://www.govexec.com/careers/thrift/tspfunds.htm

http://www.tsp.gov/features/chapter01.html#sub1

[True Democrat]

Bump for debate.

[Emsworth]

Would TI perhaps start debate by explaining the bill, its purposes, and its potential benefits, so that we may analyze it more closely?

[True Democrat]

As we all know, social security needs to be fixed within the next forty years or so (I don't know the exact statistics).  Some options are to cut benefits, raise the retirement age, raise taxes, or completely privatize the system.  I believe there are flaws in all of these systems.

The Thrift Savings Plan is in my opinion the  best solution.  Basically, from what I understand, this program is used for government employees.  The government gives a certain amount of money to a person, and there are different plans they invest it in.

The G, S, C, F, and I plans were created before the creation of Atlasia.  However, the L plan was created earlier this year in the U.S.  That is the reason for the first clause.

To make sure this system works, I have put in clause which puts it on a trial basis for a couple of hundred people to gauge results on the general population.

I also believe this plan should be compeletely optional.

[jokerman]

I think the most logical way to fix social security is by increasing the retirement age.  Our society can simply not afford to support a large non-working population.  If people are living longer, they're going to have to work at least a bit longer too, unless there is a dramatic increase in productivity.

[True Democrat]

I think the most logical way to fix social security is by increasing the retirement age.  Our society can simply not afford to support a large non-working population.  If people are living longer, they're going to have to work at least a bit longer too, unless there is a dramatic increase in productivity.

First of all, this is supposed to simulate reality, and the retirement age would never be raised in the real world.  Second of all, this will only delay the necessary reform.  I believe my bill will make social security last much longer.

[Emsworth]

First of all, this is supposed to simulate reality, and the retirement age would never be raised in the real world.

No, I don't think that this is necessarily the case. The retirement age has been raised in the past.

Also, deviating from the mistakes of reality is not something that should be opposed.

[True Democrat]

First of all, this is supposed to simulate reality, and the retirement age would never be raised in the real world.

No, I don't think that this is necessarily the case. The retirement age has been raised in the past.

Also, deviating from the mistakes of reality is not something that should be opposed.

What is your opinion on the bill Mr. Vice-President?

[Emsworth]

The bill is a trial bill, and is generally a very good idea. Obviously, my opinion on the actual idea would depend on the specific results of the trial (which could probably be provided by the GM after some time).

[Defarge]

Can Sam Spade confirm he'll come up with results eventually?  No point in wasting the senate's time on a bill if the sole result depends on a GM who has no idea this bill exists.

[Sam Spade]

Can Sam Spade confirm he'll come up with results eventually?  No point in wasting the senate's time on a bill if the sole result depends on a GM who has no idea this bill exists.

I can promise that I will give a report of the findings in six months and then a main report in 12 months, according to the stipulations of this bill.

Hopefully, I will also continue to be GM by that time, though obviously I can't promise that 100%.

[True Democrat]

Can Sam Spade confirm he'll come up with results eventually?  No point in wasting the senate's time on a bill if the sole result depends on a GM who has no idea this bill exists.

I can promise that I will give a report of the findings in six months and then a main report in 12 months, according to the stipulations of this bill.

Hopefully, I will also continue to be GM by that time, though obviously I can't promise that 100%.

Should I shorten the time period in Atlasia (and pretend more real time has passed)?

[True Democrat]

I propose this amendment:

Section Two, Clause B is hereby changed to:

 b. This trial shall last for a duration of 3 months, with a report being made every month to the Senate by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.

If this is passed, Clause C would also have to be changed, but I don't beleive that would need an amendment.

[Sam Spade]

Can Sam Spade confirm he'll come up with results eventually?  No point in wasting the senate's time on a bill if the sole result depends on a GM who has no idea this bill exists.

I can promise that I will give a report of the findings in six months and then a main report in 12 months, according to the stipulations of this bill.

Hopefully, I will also continue to be GM by that time, though obviously I can't promise that 100%.

Should I shorten the time period in Atlasia (and pretend more real time has passed)?

I don't know, because I don't write legislation any more.  It's entirely up to you, though I would obviously prefer to have to do less work less often. 

[Emsworth]

I propose this amendment:

Section Two, Clause B is hereby changed to:

 b. This trial shall last for a duration of 3 months, with a report being made every month to the Senate by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.

The question is on the above amendment. All those in favor, say Aye; those opposed, say No.

[True Democrat]

Aye

[Q]

Aye

[Defarge]

Aye

[Colin]

Aye

[Ebowed]

Aye.

[MasterJedi]

Aye

[Emsworth]

With six Ayes, the amendment is passed.

[DanielX]

Aye FTR.

[Emsworth]

Is there any further debate on this bill?