Social Insurance

Social security card, dollar bills

People are confronted with a variety of risks in the course of their lives and the lives of their dependents. How can markets be organized to protect people against risks such as illness, displacement and disability while at the same time provide them with incentives and opportunities to be educated, secure jobs and remain in good physical and emotional health? How can government programs be structured to effectively find the delicate balance between insurance and incentives?

University of Minnesota faculty and alumni have been at the forefront of economic research that falls within this broad umbrella of topics including healthcare, Social Security, disability insurance, bankruptcy law, education and income inequality. The Institute aims to further the economic analysis of these topics by funding research and communicating its policy implications to the greater public.