FORUM ARCHIVE: Informing Policy: A Review of Social Security’s MINT Microsimulation Model

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On May 30, 2019, the Social Security Advisory Board hosted the policy forum “Informing Policy: A Review of Social Security’s MINT Microsimulation Model.” Modeling Income in the Near Term (MINT) helps policymakers understand the effects of changes to benefits and payroll taxes. The microsimulation model is built from Social Security’s administrative records matched to the Survey of Income and Program Participation. It projects future retirement income, marital trends, Social Security benefits, income, and poverty as well as the effects of policy changes. The event brought together MINT users and microsimulation experts to discuss challenges and opportunities facing MINT and other such models and provide recommendations on MINT’s future development. The forum took place from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at the National Union Building located at 918 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004.

Watch the recorded webcast and view the transcript, agenda and presenter bios below.

Forum Speakers included:

• Andrew Biggs, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute
• Richard Evans, Director, Open Source Economics Laboratory, University of Chicago
• Eric J. (Rocky) Feuer, Chief, Statistical Research and Applications Branch, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute
• Jagadeesh Gokhale, Director of Special Projects, Penn-Wharton Budget Model
• Stephen C. Goss, Chief Actuary, Social Security Administration
• Laura Haltzel, Research Manager, Income Security, Congressional Research Service
• Kim Hildred, Chair, Social Security Advisory Board
• Tom Klouda, Senior Domestic Policy Advisor, Committee on Finance, Democrat Staff, U.S. Senate
• Kathryn Olson, Majority Staff Director, Subcommittee on Social Security, Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives
• Kathleen Romig, Senior Policy Analyst, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• Mark Sarney, Acting Director, Office of Research, Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics, Social Security Administration
• Amy Shuart, Republican Staff Director, Subcommittee on Social Security, Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives (invited)
• Jack Smalligan, Senior Policy Fellow, Income and Benefits Policy Center, Urban Institute
• Karen E. Smith, Senior Fellow, Income and Benefits Policy Center, Urban Institute
• C. Eugene Steuerle, Institute Fellow and Richard B. Fisher Chair, Urban Institute
• Julie Topoleski, Chief, Long-Term Analysis Unit, Health, Retirement, and Long-Term Analysis Division, Congressional Budget Office
• Bryan Tysinger, Director, Health Policy Microsimulation, University of Southern California Schaeffer Center
• Mark Warshawsky, Deputy Commissioner for Retirement and Disability Policy, Social Security Administration