| This dissertation describes a new approach for assessing Social Security reform alternatives. The purpose is to help those involved in reforming the Social Security system structure the complexity of this issue, measure and synthesize the multitude of factors involved in deciding for the best proposal, weigh the pluses and minuses, reach, re-evaluate, communicate and justify their decisions to others.; This dissertation uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in assessing alternative options to reform the Social Security system. This complex problem is modeled in a hierarchical structure, showing the relationships of the goal (overhauling the Social Security System), objectives and alternatives. A group of specialists on Social Security serves as subjects for this study. No such method has been used to do this with the issue of overhauling the Social Security system, in the United States. This dissertation demonstrates that AHP is better than the “Report Card,” a methodology proposed by two of the nation's noted Social Security experts.; While the focus is on assessing alternatives to social security reform, this dissertation uses AHP as a medium through which this can be accomplished. |
