At the beginning of 2005, President Bush launched a campaign to reform Social Security through the creation of private or personal accounts. Under this plan, workers would be allowed to divert a portion of their Social Security payroll taxes (FICA) into a designated account where their public retirement benefits would be tied to the return their account receives through investment. While the proposal made little legislative headway the first part of the year, it did generate significant public debate over the state of the Social Security system, the adequacy of individual savings and retirement planning, and the pros and cons of the President’s plan and proposed alternatives.

Social Security is the backbone of financial security for most African American seniors and provides significant financial support to survivors (adults and children) and to disabled workers. Changes to the system are likely, therefore, to affect black families more than other groups. As part of a larger initiative on Social Security and African Americans, the Joint Center has built this site. Provided below are links to the Joint Center’s current and past research on Social Security, polling of African Americans on this issue, and data on Social Security and African Americans.