arXiv · 2604.12125
The Design of Optimally Balanced Pay-as-you-go Social Security Systems
Abstract
This paper bridges social security design and general equilibrium theory to conceive optimally balanced pay-as-you-go systems. The design is based on the backward calculation algorithm from Dognini (2025), which is used to find optimal monetary equilibria of prone-to-savings non-stationary overlapping generations economies with heterogeneous households. In particular, this algorithm makes the design applicable for reforming pay-as-you-go systems in countries undergoing demographic transitions. Due to households balanced budgets under equilibrium prices (i.e., Walras' law), these optimally balanced pay-as-you-go systems resemble the well-known notional accounts systems. The design is illustrated in a simplified framework using the past and forecast demographic and productivity dynamics of Brazil, China, India, Italy, and the United States from 1950 to 2070.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Leandro Lyra Braga Dognini. 2026-04-13. The Design of Optimally Balanced Pay-as-you-go Social Security Systems. https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.12125
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.