Event Recap: Boomerang: Wealth, Retirement, and the Generational Divide

On April 8, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget hosted Boomerang: Wealth, Retirement, and the Generational Divide. This Trust Fund Solutions Initiative event gathered experts to discuss the Committee's proposal for a Six Figure Limit on Social Security benefits in the context of the nation's fiscal and demographic challenges. 

Watch the video below:

Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, began with introductory remarks noting that a country's budget reflects its values, and that the federal budget reveals a preference for heavy spending, particularly on the elderly, without fully paying for it. At a time when the next generation will inherit high levels of debt and face new economic and social challenges, MacGuineas continued, it is important for policymakers to find solutions to the country's fiscal problems without exacerbating political polarization.  

Greg Ip, Chief Economics Commentator at the Wall Street Journal, moderated the event’s keynote conversation. He was joined by Marc Goldwein, Senior Vice President and Senior Policy Director of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, Russ Greene, Managing Director of the Prime Mover Institute, and Matthew Yglesias, author of the newsletter Slow Boring. The panel discussed the merits of a Six Figure Limit, the meaning of "Total Boomer Luxury Communism", and how retirees are faring economically while receiving a rising share of public services.

The panel concluded with questions from the audience on the barriers and opportunities on the path to Social Security reform.

The Committee thanks all who attended and made the event a success.