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Optimist EconomyAuthor: Kathryn Anne Edwards and Robin Rauzi
Economist Kathryn Anne Edwards and co-host Robin Rauzi talk about the fundamentals of the economy and how to build a better future one problem and solution at a time. Our premise is that the United States has a remarkable economy and yet for tens of millions of Americans it is not performing up to its potential. It could be more open to aspiring workers, less hostile to change, safer for workers, less risky for retirees, and so on. Support the podcast at: optimisteconomy.com Ask questions or share your economic worries with us at: optimist.economy@gmail.com Language: en Genres: Government, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Social Security Upgrades for Retirement's Realities
Episode 5
Tuesday, 24 February, 2026
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









