The United States is in the midst of a major demographic shift. In the coming decades, people aged 65 and over will make up an increasingly large percentage of the population: The ratio of people aged 65+ to people aged 20-64 will rise by 80%. This shift is happening for two reasons: people are living longer, and many couples are choosing to have fewer children and to have those children somewhat later in life. The resulting demographic shift will present the nation with economic challenges, both to absorb the costs and to leverage the benefits of an aging population. Aging and the Macroeconomy: Long-Term Implications of an Older Population presents the fundamental factors driving the aging of the U.S. population, as well as its societal implications and likely long-term macroeconomic effects in a global context. The report finds that, while population aging does not pose an insurmountable challenge to the nation, it is imperative that sensible policies are implemented soon to allow companies and households to respond. It offers four practical approaches for preparing resources to support the future consumption of households and for adapting to the new economic landscape.

This volume presents 115 options that would decrease federal spending or increase federal revenues over the next decade. The federal budget deficit in fiscal year (FY) 2016 totaled $587 billion or 3.2 percent (%) of gross domestic product (GDP), up 2.5 percent (%) in year 2015. The options cover many areas ranging from defense to energy, Social Security and provisions of the tax code. This edition reports the estimated budgetary effects of various options and highlights some of the advantages and disadvantages of those options. Students pursuing research for economic coursework in high school, community college, and university levels may be interested in this vision presented by the Congressional Budget Office, Additionally, economists, federal budget analysts, political science scholars, financial planners, and lawmakers may be interested in this official resource. Related products: Other products produced by the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) are available here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/agency/237Economic Policy resources collection can be found here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/budget-economy/economic-policyEconomic Development publications are available here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/budget-economy/economic-development

The gov¿t. publishes long-term fiscal simulations of what might happen to fed. deficits and debt levels under varying policy assumptions. There are two simulations: (1) "Baseline Extended" follows the Sept. baseline estimates for the first 10 years and then holds revenue and spending other than large entitlement programs constant as a share of GDP; and (2) The "Alternative" simulation is based on historical trends and recent policy preferences. Discretionary spending grows with GDP rather than inflation during the first 10 years, Medicare physician pay. rates are not reduced, and all expiring tax provisions are extended until 2019 and then revenue is brought back to about its historical level. This update incorp. March 2009 baseline projections. Illus.

The Office for Budget Responsibility was established to provide independent and authoritative analysis of the UK's public finances. Part of this role includes producing the official economic and fiscal forecasts. This report sets out forecasts for the period to 2015-16. The report also assesses whether the Government is on course to meet the medium-term fiscal objectives and presents preliminary observations on the long-run sustainability of the public finances. Since the June forecast, the UK economy has recovered more strongly than initially expected. The GDP growth was greater than expected in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but that unemployment levels have risen to levels that the June forecast did not anticipate until the middle of 2012. In general the world economy has also grown more strongly. CPI inflation has remained slightly higher than expected in June, whilst public finances have performed as forecast. The interest rates on UK debt are lower than in June. The OBR forecasts that the economy will continue to recover from the recession, but at a slower pace than the recoveries of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The publication is divided into 5 chapters with two annexes.

Keeping the economy strong will require addressing two distinct but related problems. Steadily rising federal debt makes it harder to grow our economy, boost our living standards, respond to wars or recessions, address social needs, and maintain our role as a global leader. At the same time, we have let critical investments lag and left many people behind even as overall prosperity has grown. In Fiscal Therapy, William Gale, a leading authority on how federal tax and budget policy affects the economy, provides a trenchant discussion of the challenges posed by the imbalances between spending and revenue. America is facing a gradual decline as debt accumulates and delay raises the costs of action. But there is hope: fiscal responsibility aligns with both conservative and liberal goals and citizens of all stripes can support the notion of making life better for our children and grandchildren. Gale provides a plan to make the economy and nation stronger, one that controls entitlement spending but preserves and enhances their anti-poverty and social insurance roles, increases public investments on human and physical capital, and raises and reforms taxes to pay for government services in a fair and efficient way. What is needed, he argues, is to balance today's needs against tomorrow's obligations. We face significant fiscal challenges but, if we are wise enough to seize our opportunities, we can strengthen our economy, increase opportunity, reduce inequality, and build better lives for our children and grandchildren. We do not have to kill popular programs or starve government. Indeed, one main goal of fiscal reform is to maintain the vital functions that government provides. We need to act responsibly, pay for the government we want, and shape that government in ways that serve us best.

This statement addresses 4 key points: (1) the fed. gov¿t. long-term fiscal outlook is a matter of utmost concern; (2) this challenge is driven primarily by health care cost growth; (3) reform of health care is essential but other areas also need attention which requires a multi-pronged solution; and (4) the fed. gov¿t. faces increasing pressures yet a shrinking window of opportunity for phasing in needed adjustments. The simulations of the fed. gov¿t. long-term fiscal outlook continue to indicate that the long-term outlook is unsustainable. This update combined with an analysis of the fiscal outlook of state and local gov¿ts. demonstrates that the fiscal challenges facing all levels of gov¿t. are linked and should be considered in an integrated manner. Ill.