Daniel J. Mitchell

In the following viewpoint, Daniel J. Mitchell contends that the current Social Security system cannot be fixed and should be replaced by private retirement accounts. According to Mitchell, such accounts would provide workers with significantly more income than they would earn through Social Security. He maintains that the poor would benefit the most if privatization were implemented because they would be better able to build a nest egg for retirement. Mitchell is the McKenna Senior Fellow in Political Economy for the Heritage Foundation and is the organization’s chief expert on tax policy and related economic issues. The Heritage Foundation is a research institute that promotes policies based on the principles of limited government and individual freedom.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Laurence Kotlikoff, as cited by Mitchell, how much greater...