Kan man jämföra socialförsäkringen med en pyramidbluff?

Rick Perry, en av aspiranterna till rollen som republikansk presidentkandidat, har jämfört det amerikanska socialförsäkringssystemet - social security - med ett pyramidspel, ett s k Ponzi-trick (efter Charles Ponzi). Robert L. FitzPatrick, ledare för Pyramid Scheme Alert och expert på området, visar i sitt nyhetsbrev varför Texasgurvernörens jämförelse inte håller.

Is Social Security a Ponzi Scheme?

Here’s why:
• Social Security does not require an ever-growing base of new contributors. It is sustainable.
• The rate at which we each contribute to Social Security is calibrated to be sustainable, and if there’s a big change – in birth or death rates or unemployment – it can be recalibrated.
• Social Security does not employ concealment or deception. It is fully disclosed.
• Social Security is exactly what it claims to be, a mandated, government operated insurance program. It is not a private, individual investment program. It is a national, social insurance system. As in all legitimate insurance, the transfer of money is intentional and financially sound.