Myths and Misunderstandings About Public Opinion Toward Social Security: Knowledge, Support, and Reformism.# Lawrence R. Jacobs University of Minnesota (612) 625-3384 Robert Y. Shapiro Columbia University EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION I. What the Public Knows DIFFERENCES IN KNOWLEDGE THE MIXED IMPLICATIONS OF POLITICAL KNOWLEDGE II. AN OLD STORY: LOW CONFIDENCE BUT STRONG SUPPORT A. LOW CONFIDENCE B. HIGH SUPPORT C. THE PUBLIC REMAINS SUPPORTIVE DESPITE ITS LOW CONFIDENCE III. REFORMING SOCIAL SECURITY A. CRISIS? A. MAIN STREET IS NOT BUYING PRIVATIZATION B. MIXED EVALUATIONS OF INCREMENTAL REFORMS CONCLUSION References Notes
