# Social Security Upgrades for Retirement's Realities

An episode of [Optimist Economy](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1802625282), 24 Feb 2026, 58 min.

Audio: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/sblTq32fyWAjsHzze2LG/dovetail.prxu.org/14811/31fc4a02-1dde-44e9-a440-e505c6d448fa/260224_OE_S205_SocialSecurity_FINAL_Forecast-Chapters.mp3

Economist Kathryn Anne Edwards is a Social Security fan girl. Would it be possible for her to love it even more? Yes, if the old-age insurance program got some updates to handle the messy, gradual and interrupted way that retirement truly transpires. Her four blue-sky pitches: changing benefit calculations for caregivers, taking benefits temporarily, a sliding “full” retirement age based on years worked, and a tax on companies that abuse 1099 non-employee compensation. Plus: A big retcon segment including details from a new study by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco that further explains why "more supply" isn't the whole answer to the housing affordability crisis. • Support Optimist Economy by donating: https://optimisteconomy.com • Video clips are on the Optimist Economy YouTube channel. • Follow us on Instagram at @optimist_economy or TikTok at @optimist_economy. Or meet other Optimists on our Substack chat. • Optimist merch provides great utility: https://merch.ambientinks.com/collections/optimisteconomy Send your economic questions, concerns, or executive orders to optimist.economy@gmail.com

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