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Does framing information about the Social Security trust fund affect claiming, saving, and benefit expectations?

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  • Quinby, Laura D.
  • Wettstein, Gal

Abstract

This study explores how workers respond to the framing of information about Social Security’s finances using an online experiment in which participants are shown identical news articles with different headlines. The first headline reports that Social Security has a long-term financing shortfall; two emphasize the trust fund’s depletion date; and a fourth highlights ongoing payroll tax revenue. Emphasizing the depletion date but not ongoing revenue generates pessimism about future benefits, and respondents plan to claim one year earlier when they read headlines about the date. Hence, the tone with which policymakers and journalists communicate actuarial projections may influence workers’ behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Quinby, Laura D. & Wettstein, Gal, 2026. "Does framing information about the Social Security trust fund affect claiming, saving, and benefit expectations?," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:245:y:2026:i:c:s016726812600123x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2026.107537
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