The Income & Benefits Policy Center studies how public policy influences the behavior and economic well-being of families, particularly the disabled, the elderly, and those with low incomes. Scholars look at income support, social insurance, tax, child-support, and employee-benefit programs.
Working an additional year enhances individuals' economic well-being in retirement, while generating revenue to help cover costs of retirement and other government programs. However, an “implicit tax rate” that increases rapidly with age−up to nearly 50 percent for a typical man at age 70−discourages work.
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Economic conditions, along with parental education and work, are the dominant factors behind recent changes in child poverty. The major reduction in child poverty rates from 1993 to 2000 was largely due to improvements in the job market.
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The 1996 welfare reforms eliminated entitlements to welfare and changed other safety net programs. This study looks at changes in family structure, work, income, and well-being after those reforms.
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Issue in Focus: Disability and Employment
Issue in Focus: Retirement
Issue in Focus: Social Security
Issue in Focus: Tax Reform