PUBLIC SOCIAL SECURITY THROUGH THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM: 436 282

MYTHS AND ALTERNATIVES AROUND THE DEMOGRAPHIC ISSUE

Abstract

Social Security plays a fundamental role in the lives of Brazilians, and for this reason, it is present in debates related to reforms and new government strategies for workers. However, accounting and demographic arguments are often used, with an emphasis on a demographic transition, to justify the urgency of its reform or even its extinction as a public program. This issue often presents migration to a capitalization system, usually managed by the private sector, as the only alternative for Social Security. The lack of proper information about the nature of pension systems causes great confusion, paving the way for the strengthening of discourses that will not necessarily benefit workers. In addition to presenting the true nature of pension systems, this article demystifies the demographic argument used to justify the urgency of this transition and brings alternatives for maintaining social security as an important public policy and income redistribution program.