May 19
The Cassidy-Kaine plan – which would borrow to create an investment fund and to cover Social Security shortfalls for 75 years – is unlikely to work.
Our analysis shows that the most common outcome would leave the taxpayers with a large debt, even under optimistic return assumptions.
Alternatively, equity investments could help Social Security’s finances if paired with a tax increase or benefit cut that restores solvency.
But the window of opportunity is closing; waiting until 2034 to introduce equities would be too late to offer a permanent fix.