South By North Strategies, Ltd.

Unemployment Insurance Solvency

A new report from the National Employment Law Project analyzes the severe solvency problems facing state unemployment insurance systems across the nation. Notes the report:

The financing system for unemployment bene-fits is under unprecedented distress, but the situation is not simply the result of the deep recession. The system failure is a result of years of poor financing policy decisions, and the cur-rent crisis should compel policy makers to forge a new path to forward financing of the unemployment insurance program.

The table below summarizes the financial conditions of state trust funds. (Click to enlarge.)

Around The Dial – May 11

Economic policy reports, blog postings, and media stories of interest:

• The Atlanta Fed asks how many jobs are at risk due to the Gulf oil spill.
• CBPP explains how health reform can lower the federal deficit.
• Brad DeLong shares a historical portrait of the labor market.

The April National Employment Report

Last Friday, John Quinterno of South by North Strategies, Ltd. discussed the latest national employment report on WPTF-News Radio 680’s  “North Carolina Evening News” broadcast.

Click here to listen to the discussion (mp3).

Comparing Retirement Ages

The following graph created by the Economic Policy Institute compares official retirement ages in the United States to those in other advanced industrial nations. Currently, only Ireland, Iceland, and Norway have higher official retirement ages than the American one of 65.8 years old. However, this gap will close once the official American retirement completes its scheduled rise to age 67.

Around The Dial – May 10

Economic policy reports, blog postings, and media stories of interest:

• Paul Krugman argues for government competence and effectiveness.
• The Baseline Scenario explains the Eurozone’s self-rescue plan.
• Economix asks how businesses create wealth.
• Calculated Risk analyzes changes in unemployment durations.