Enron, Pension Policy, and Social Security Privatization

39 Pages Posted: 19 Mar 2004

See all articles by Richard L. Kaplan

Richard L. Kaplan

University of Illinois College of Law

Abstract

This article analyzes current U.S. pension law and policy in light of the Enron implosion and considers the implications of this analysis for privatizing Social Security. The article begins by addressing the major shift in retirement funding risk from professionally managed plans to ordinary workers, beginning with the substitution of defined contributions plans for defined benefit plans, and continuing with the growing predominance of 401(k) plans. The article then examines the central problem of the Enron catastrophe: the heavy concentration of 401(k) plans in employer stock. From this context, the article then considers the essential premise of Social Security privatization - namely, that individuals should control their own retirement assets. The article concludes with policy recommendations based on this analysis to prevent the sort of financial devastation that Enron (and others) has brought.

Suggested Citation

Kaplan, Richard L., Enron, Pension Policy, and Social Security Privatization. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=519642

Richard L. Kaplan (Contact Author)

University of Illinois College of Law ( email )

504 E. Pennsylvania Avenue
Champaign, IL 61820
United States
(217) 333-2499 (Phone)
(217) 244-1478 (Fax)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
487
Abstract Views
3,811
Rank
107,444
PlumX Metrics