"The reform of government retirement and health entitlement programs is one of the most important economic and political challenges facing modern democracies. Rudy Penner has put together an invaluable volume on reforms in six major OECD countries for all those interested in reform in the United States. From policymakers to academics to interested citizens, this is a must-read loaded with lessons, some painfully learned."
—Michael J. Boskin, T. M. Friedman Professor of Economics and Hoover Institution Senior Fellow, Stanford University, and Former Chairman, President's Council of Economic Advisers
"Anyone concerned about the fiscal state of our Social Security system—and that should be all of us—must welcome the publication of this volume.The authors give us a balanced view of how other countries are coping with their own aging populations and, in so doing, help those of us professionally engaged with these issues think more clearly about the American situation. I found this book enormously helpful."
—John L. Palmer, University Professor, Maxwell School, Syracuse University, and Public Trustee for Medicare and Social Security
"They say that everyone complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. In Social Security policy, everyone says it's important to learn from the variety of international experience, but no one until now has offered an easy way to do it.This handy compilation is succinct, informative, and free of obscuring jargon.The volume's contributing experts include many long respected for their objectivity but who here also reveal impressive talents for effective, concise communication.Those who continue to believe that further delay in fixing Social Security is acceptable would do well to read this book and discover what such procrastination has brought to other nations, most particularly Japan."
—Charles P. Blahous, Author, Reforming Social Security: For Ourselves and Our Posterity
"Penner's book makes abundantly clear that many countries have made at least some progress in reconciling two competing priorities: how to provide a measure of economic stability for public retirement systems and how to provide a foundation of basic economic security for retirees. I hope that we in America will have the courage and the wisdom to strengthen our Social Security system in a way that provides both."
—Kenneth S. Apfel, Professor and Director of the Management, Finance and Leadership Program, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland
