Paul Ryan Called Social Security a Ponzi Scheme. On September 20, 2011, Paul Ryan equated Social Security to a Ponzi scheme. When asked by conservative radio host Laura Ingraham if he agreed with Governor Rick Perry, who earlier compared Social Security to the type of investment fraud, Ryan claimed that he did. “So if you take a look at the technicality of Ponzi—I would—it’s not a criminal enterprise, but it is a pay as you go system where—you know—earlier investors, or say taxpayers, get a positive rate of return and the most recent investors, or taxpayers, get a negative rate of return,” said Ryan. “Your kids and my kids, Laura, they’re the same age are going to get about a negative one percent on their payroll taxes if Social Security can even pay them their benefit, which it can’t. And so, it is obviously, that is how those schemes work.” [Laura Ingraham, 9/20/11]
Securities and Exchange Commission Defined a Ponzi Scheme as a Type of Investment Fraud. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, “A Ponzi scheme is an investment fraud that involves the payment of purported returns to existing investors from funds contributed by new investors. Ponzi scheme organizers often solicit new investors by promising to invest funds in opportunities claimed to generate high returns with little or no risk. In many Ponzi schemes, the fraudsters focus on attracting new money to make promised payments to earlier-stage investors and to use for personal expenses, instead of engaging in any legitimate investment activity.” [Securities and Exchange Commission, accessed 9/20/11]
House Republicans Propose Social Security Opt-Out. “House Republicans on Friday introduced legislation that would allow workers to partially opt out of Social Security immediately, and fully opt out after 15 years.” The measure was introduced by NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (TX-32) and Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (TX-05) among others. [The Hill, 6/6/11]
