H.R. 4181 would reform Social Security retirement and Medicare by establishing a Personal Social Security Savings Program to create a safer, healthier, more secure, and more prosperous retirement for all Americans and to reduce the burden on young Americans.
Detailed Summary
Securing Medicare and Retirement for Tomorrow Act of 2007, or SMART Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part B (Personal Social Security Savings Program) under which each employer shall establish and maintain for each participating employee a personal Social Security account under a Social Security payroll deduction plan. Provides for the participation by self-employed individuals and the investment of personal Social Security account funds in one qualified Social Security mutual fund designated by the participating individual.
Establishes the Personal Accounts Management and Review Board, and requires it to establish a program for designating qualified Social Security mutual funds.
Provides for election of SSA title II part A (Insurance Benefits) in lieu of part B benefits at retirement.
Establishes in the Treasury the Social Security Escrow Fund and provides for investment of its holdings.
Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) with respect to personal Social Security accounts.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on the failure of Medicare retirees to obtain qualified health insurance coverage.
Provides for a reduction in rate of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax on employers if the Fund is ever projected to have excess funds during the ensuing calendar year, and will have no need to borrow funds for the next 10 calendar years.
Prohibits collection of the FICA tax with respect to individuals who have attained retirement age.
Excludes from an individual's gross income any distributions from a personal Social Security account or any amount received under a qualified Social Security annuity.
Provides for budget reform transfers from the general fund of the Treasury to the Social Security Escrow Fund of any tax revenues in excess of specified target revenue amounts (if any) for the fiscal year.
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide for dedication of Social Security surpluses to reduction in the public debt.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 2/5/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
SteveB
Why is everyone against this bill? It simply allows--not forces--people to choose between the current Social Security system and Medicare, or takeing 'ownership' and manageing these themselves...Those who want to manage their own benefits can, those who want the current system can have that. So what is the problem?
Sarah
I am not sure what I think about this bill. I am not sure it makes sence.
MichaelL
The bill would allow the individual to have their SS and Med dollars invested and owned by the individual.
This would increase the amount of capital that is saved each year, building a solid base for the financial markets, as opposed to creating a liability for the government (us).
At this point, SS and Med belong to the government to do with as they please.
The reason it is opposed is that it would mean a significant reduction in the funds available to the government to spend on other projects.