The programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) form the foundation for the nation's social insurance network that has greatly reduce poverty among the elderly through the retirement and survivors program and provides income support to people with disabilities, widows and widowers, and young children. This book addresses the current challenges facing the Social Security Administration including issues for disability and dependent benefits, the implications of different indexing choices, the need for greater transparency with regard to general revenue financing, possible effects on the elderly poor and mitigation options, legal analysis and the costs of reform.