This is the accessible text file for CG Presentations number GAO-07-
284CG entitled 'Increasing Financial Literacy in America' which was 
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United States Government Accountability Office: 

Increasing Financial Literacy in America: 

The Honorable David M. Walker: 
Comptroller General of the United States: 
National CPA Financial Literacy Commission: 
December 11, 2006: 

The Case for Change: 

The federal government is on a "burning platform," and the status quo 
way of doing business is unacceptable for a variety of reasons, 
including: 

Past fiscal trends and significant long-range challenges: 

Rising public expectations for demonstrable results and enhanced 
responsiveness: 

Selected trends and challenges having no boundaries: 

Additional resource demands due to Iraq, Afghanistan, incremental 
homeland security needs, and recent natural disasters in the United 
States: 

Numerous government performance/accountability and high risk 
challenges: 

Outdated federal organizational structures, policies, and practices: 

Composition of Federal Spending: 

[See PDF for image] - graphic text 

3 pie charts with 5 items each. 

1966: 
Defense: 43.0%; 
Social Security: 15.0%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 1.0%; 
Net interest: 7.0%; 
All other spending: 34.0%. 

1986: 
Defense: 28.0%; 
Social Security: 20.0%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 10.0%; 
Net interest: 14.0%; 
All other spending: 29.0%. 

2006*: 
Defense: 20.0%; 
Social Security: 21.0%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 19.0%; 
Net interest: 9.0%; 
All other spending: 32.0%. 

*Preliminary. 

Source: Office of Management and Budget and the Department of the 
Treasury. Note: Numbers may not add to 100 percent due to rounding. 

[End of Figure] 

Surplus or Deficit as a Share of GDP Fiscal Years 1962-2006: 

[See PDF for image] - graphic text: 
	
Line/Stacked Bar combo chart with 1 line (Unified) and 44 bars. 

Fiscal year: 1962; 
On-budget: -1%; 
Off-budget: -0.2%; 
Unified: -1.3%. 

Fiscal year: 1963; 
On-budget: -0.7%; 
Off-budget: -0.1%; 
Unified: -0.8%. 

Fiscal year: 1964; 
On-budget: -1%; 
Off-budget: 0.1%; 
Unified: -0.9%. 

Fiscal year: 1965; 
On-budget: -0.2%; 
Off-budget: No data; 
Unified: -0.2%. 

Fiscal year: 1966; 
On-budget: -0.4%; 
Off-budget: -0.1%; 
Unified: -0.5%. 

Fiscal year: 1967; 
On-budget: -1.6%; 
Off-budget: 0.5%; 
Unified: -1.1%. 

Fiscal year: 1968; 
On-budget: -3.2%; 
Off-budget: 0.3%; 
Unified: -2.9%. 

Fiscal year: 1969; 
On-budget: -0.1%; 
Off-budget: 0.4%; 
Unified: 0.3%. 

Fiscal year: 1970; 
On-budget: -0.9%; 
Off-budget: 0.6%; 
Unified: -0.3%. 

Fiscal year: 1971; 
On-budget: -2.4%; 
Off-budget: 0.3%; 
Unified: -2.1%. 

Fiscal year: 1972; 
On-budget: -2.2%; 
Off-budget: 0.3%; 
Unified: -2%. 

Fiscal year: 1973; 
On-budget: -1.2%; 
Off-budget: No data; 
Unified: -1.1%. 

Fiscal year: 1974; 
On-budget: -0.6%; 
Off-budget: 0.1%; 
Unified: -0.4%. 

Fiscal year: 1975; 
On-budget: -3.5%; 
Off-budget: 0.1%; 
Unified: -3.4%. 

Fiscal year: 1976; 
On-budget: -4.1%; 
Off-budget: -0.2%; 
Unified: -4.2%. 

Fiscal year: 1977; 
On-budget: -2.5%; 
Off-budget: -0.2%; 
Unified: -2.7%. 

Fiscal year: 1978; 
On-budget: -2.5%; 
Off-budget: -0.2%; 
Unified: -2.7%. 

Fiscal year: 1979; 
On-budget: -1.5%; 
Off-budget: -0.1%; 
Unified: -1.6%. 

Fiscal year: 1980; 
On-budget: -2.7%; 
Off-budget: No data; 
Unified: -2.7%. 

Fiscal year: 1981; 
On-budget: -2.4%; 
Off-budget: -0.2%; 
Unified: -2.6%. 

Fiscal year: 1982; 
On-budget: -3.7%; 
Off-budget: -0.2%; 
Unified: -4%. 

Fiscal year: 1983; 
On-budget: -6%; 
Off-budget: No data; 
Unified: -6%. 

Fiscal year: 1984; 
On-budget: -4.8%; 
Off-budget: No data; 
Unified: -4.8%. 

Fiscal year: 1985; 
On-budget: -5.3%; 
Off-budget: 0.2%; 
Unified: -5.1%. 

Fiscal year: 1986; 
On-budget: -5.4%; 
Off-budget: 0.4%; 
Unified: -5%. 

Fiscal year: 1987; 
On-budget: -3.6%; 
Off-budget: 0.4%; 
Unified: -3.2%. 

Fiscal year: 1988; 
On-budget: -3.9%; 
Off-budget: 0.8%; 
Unified: -3.1%. 

Fiscal year: 1989; 
On-budget: -3.8%; 
Off-budget: 1%; 
Unified: -2.8%. 

Fiscal year: 1990; 
On-budget: -4.8%; 
Off-budget: 1%; 
Unified: -3.9%. 

Fiscal year: 1991; 
On-budget: -5.4%; 
Off-budget: 0.9%; 
Unified: -4.5%. 

Fiscal year: 1992; 
On-budget: -5.5%; 
Off-budget: 0.8%; 
Unified: -4.7%. 

Fiscal year: 1993; 
On-budget: -4.6%; 
Off-budget: 0.7%; 
Unified: -3.9%. 

Fiscal year: 1994; 
On-budget: -3.7%; 
Off-budget: 0.8%; 
Unified: -2.9%. 

Fiscal year: 1995; 
On-budget: -3.1%; 
Off-budget: 0.9%; 
Unified: -2.2%. 

Fiscal year: 1996; 
On-budget: -2.3%; 
Off-budget: 0.9%; 
Unified: -1.4%. 

Fiscal year: 1997; 
On-budget: -1.3%; 
Off-budget: 1%; 
Unified: -0.3%. 

Fiscal year: 1998; 
On-budget: -0.3%; 
Off-budget: 1.1%; 
Unified: 0.8%. 

Fiscal year: 1999; 
On-budget: No data; 
Off-budget: 1.4%; 
Unified: 1.4%. 

Fiscal year: 2000; 
On-budget: 0.9%; 
Off-budget: 1.5%; 
Unified: 2.4%. 

Fiscal year: 2001; 
On-budget: -0.3%; 
Off-budget: 1.6%; 
Unified: 1.3%. 

Fiscal year: 2002; 
On-budget: -3.1%; 
Off-budget: 1.5%; 
Unified: -1.5%. 

Fiscal year: 2003; 
On-budget: -4.9%; 
Off-budget: 1.5%; 
Unified: -3.5%. 

Fiscal year: 2004; 
On-budget: -4.9%; 
Off-budget: 1.3%; 
Unified: -3.6%. 

Fiscal year: 2005; 
On-budget: -4%; 
Off-budget: 1.4%; 
Unified: -2.6%. 

Fiscal year: 2006; 
On-Budget: -3.3; 
Off-budget: 1.4; 
Unified: -1.9. 

Source: Office of Management and Budget, Department of the Treasury and 
the Congressional Budget Office. 

[End of Figure] 

Fiscal Year 2005 and 2006 Deficits and Net Operating Costs: 

Dollars in billions. 

On-Budget Deficit; 
Fiscal Year 2005: ($494); 
Fiscal Year 2006: ($434). 

Off-Budget Surplus*; 
Fiscal Year 2005: $175; 
Fiscal Year 2006: $186. 

Unified Deficit; 
Fiscal Year 2005: ($318); 
Fiscal Year 2006: ($248). 

Net Operating Cost; 
Fiscal Year 2005: ($760); 
Fiscal Year 2006: Not available. 

* Includes $173 billion in Social Security surpluses for fiscal year 
2005 and $185 billion for fiscal year 2006; $2 billion in Postal 
Service surpluses for fiscal year 2005 and $1 billion for fiscal year 
2006. 

Sources: The Office of Management and Budget and the Department of the 
Treasury. 

[End of table] 

Estimated Fiscal Exposures ($ trillions): 

Explicit liabilities (Publicly held debt, military & civilian pensions 
& retiree health, other); 	
2000: $6.9; 
2006: $10.2. 

Commitments & Contingencies: e.g., PBGC, undelivered orders; 
2000: $0.5; 
2006: $0.9. 

Implicit exposures; 
2000: $13.0; 
2006: $38.8. 

Implicit exposures: Future Social Security benefits; 
2000: $3.8; 
2006: $6.4. 

Implicit exposures: Future Medicare Part A benefits; 
2000: $2.7; 
2006: $11.3. 

Implicit exposures: Medicare Part B benefits; 
2000: $6.5; 
2006: $13.1. 

Implicit exposures: Medicare Part D benefits; 
2006: $8.0. 

Total; 
2000: $20.4; 
2006: $49.9. 

Source: U.S. government's consolidated financial statement, Social 
Security and Medicare Trustees reports and Monthly Treasury Statement, 
September 30, 2006. 

Note: 2006 estimates are preliminary. Estimates for Social Security and 
Medicare are at present value as of January 1 of each year and all 
other data are as of September 30. 

[End of table] 

How Big is Our Growing Fiscal Burden? 

Our total fiscal burden can be translated and compared as follows: 

Total fiscal exposures: $49.9 trillion; 
Total household net worth: $53.3 trillion: 
* Burden/Net worth ratio: 94 percent. 

Burden: 
Per person: $165,000; 
Per full-time worker: $395,000; 
Per household: $435,000. 

Income: 
Median household income: $46,326; 
Disposable personal income per capita: $32,392. 

Notes: (1) Federal Reserve Board, Flow of Funds Accounts, Table B.100, 
2006:Q2 (Sept. 19, 2006); (2) Burdens are calculated using estimated 
total U.S. population as of 9/30/06, from the U.S. Census Bureau; full- 
time workers reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, in NIPA table 
6.5D (Aug. 2, 2006); and households reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, 
in Income. Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 
2005 (Aug. 2006); (3) U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty, and Health 
Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2005 (Aug. 2006); and (4) 
Bureau of Economic Analysis, Personal Income and Outlays: September 
2006, table 2, 2006:Q3, (Oct. 30, 2006). 

Sources: GAO analysis. 

[End of table] 

Composition of Spending as a Share of GDP Under Baseline Extended 
(January 2001): 

[See PDF for image] - graphic text: 

Line/Stacked Bar combo chart with 4 groups, 1 line (Revenue) and 4 bars 
per group. 

2005; 
Net interest: 0.8%; 
Social Security: 4.3%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 3.7%; 
All other spending: 8.0%; 
Revenue: 20.3%. 

2015*; 
Net interest: 0%; 
Social Security: 5.1%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 4.9%; 
All other spending: 5.6%; 
Revenue: 20.4%. 

2030*; 
Net interest: 0%; 
Social Security: 6.6%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 9.4%; 
All other spending: 4.0%; 
Revenue: 20.4%. 

2040*; 
Net interest: 0%; 
Social Security: 6.7%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 9.0%; 
All other spending: 4.4%; 
Revenue: 20.4%.

* All other spending is net of offsetting interest receipts. 

Source: GAO's January 2001 analysis. 

[End of Figure] 

Composition of Spending as a Share of GDP: 
(Assuming Discretionary Spending Grows with GDP After 2006 and All 
Expiring Tax Provisions are Extended): 

[See PDF for image] - graphic text: 
	
Line/Stacked Bar combo chart with 4 groups, 1 line (Revenue) and 4 bars 
per group. 

2005; 
Net interest: 1.5%; 
Social Security: 4.2%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 3.9%; 
All other spending: 10.5%; 
Revenue: 17.5% 

2015; 
Net interest: 2.4%; 
Social Security: 4.6%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 5.3%; 
All other spending: 9.9%; 
Revenue: 17.5% 

2030; 
Net interest: 6.9%; 
Social Security: 6.7%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 8.3%; 
All other spending: 9.9%; 
Revenue: 17.6% 

2040; 
Net interest: 13.7%; 
Social Security: 7.5%; 
Medicare & Medicaid: 10.3%; 
All other spending: 9.9%; 
Revenue: 17.6%

Source: GAO's August 2006 analysis. 

[End of Figure] 

Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid Spending as a Percent of GDP: 

[See PDF for image] - graphic text: 

Area graph with 81 Groups and 3 items per Group. 

Percent of GDP: 

Year: 2000; 
Social Security: 4.23%; 
Medicaid: 1.20%; 
Medicare: 2.27%. 

Year: 2001; 
Social Security: 4.33%; 
Medicaid: 1.30%; 
Medicare: 2.44%. 

Year: 2002; 
Social Security: 4.41%; 
Medicaid: 1.40%; 
Medicare: 2.52%. 

Year: 2003; 
Social Security: 4.37%; 
Medicaid: 1.50%; 
Medicare: 2.57%. 

Year: 2004; 
Social Security: 4.27%; 
Medicaid: 1.50%; 
Medicare: 2.67%. 

Year: 2005; 
Social Security: 4.24%; 
Medicaid: 1.5%; 
Medicare: 2.73%. 

Year: 2006; 
Social Security: 4.28%; 
Medicaid: 1.4%; 
Medicare: 3.21%. 

Year: 2007; 
Social Security: 4.26%; 
Medicaid: 1.4%; 
Medicare: 3.29%. 

Year: 2008; 
Social Security: 4.24%; 
Medicaid: 1.5%; 
Medicare: 3.39%. 

Year: 2009; 
Social Security: 4.27%; 
Medicaid: 1.5%; 
Medicare: 3.45%. 

Year: 2010; 
Social Security: 4.32%; 
Medicaid: 1.6%; 
Medicare: 3.53%. 

Year: 2011; 
Social Security: 4.36%; 
Medicaid: 1.6%; 
Medicare: 3.60%. 

Year: 2012; 
Social Security: 4.44%; 
Medicaid: 1.7%; 
Medicare: 3.69%. 

Year: 2013; 
Social Security: 4.54%; 
Medicaid: 1.7%; 
Medicare: 3.80%. 

Year: 2014; 
Social Security: 4.64%; 
Medicaid: 1.8%; 
Medicare: 3.90%. 

Year: 2015; 
Social Security: 4.74%; 
Medicaid: 1.8%; 
Medicare: 4.00%. 

Year: 2016; 
Social Security: 4.84%; 
Medicaid: 2.00%; 
Medicare: 4.13%. 

Year: 2017; 
Social Security: 4.95%; 
Medicaid: 2.10%; 
Medicare: 4.25%. 

Year: 2018; 
Social Security: 5.06%; 
Medicaid: 2.20%; 
Medicare: 4.38%. 

Year: 2019; 
Social Security: 5.16%; 
Medicaid: 2.20%; 
Medicare: 4.52%. 

Year: 2020; 
Social Security: 5.27%; 
Medicaid: 2.30%; 
Medicare: 4.67%. 

Year: 2021; 
Social Security: 5.38%; 
Medicaid: 2.30%; 
Medicare: 4.83%. 

Year: 2022; 
Social Security: 5.48%; 
Medicaid: 2.40%; 
Medicare: 5.00%. 

Year: 2023; 
Social Security: 5.58%; 
Medicaid: 2.40%; 
Medicare: 5.17%. 

Year: 2024; 
Social Security: 5.68%; 
Medicaid: 2.50%; 
Medicare: 5.35%. 

Year: 2025; 
Social Security: 5.78%; 
Medicaid: 2.60%; 
Medicare: 5.54%. 

Year: 2026; 
Social Security: 5.88%; 
Medicaid: 2.60%; 
Medicare: 5.73%. 

Year: 2027; 
Social Security: 5.97%; 
Medicaid: 2.70%; 
Medicare: 5.92%. 

Year: 2028; 
Social Security: 6.05%; 
Medicaid: 2.70%; 
Medicare: 6.11%. 

Year: 2029; 
Social Security: 6.12%; 
Medicaid: 2.80%; 
Medicare: 6.29%. 

Year: 2030; 
Social Security: 6.18%; 
Medicaid: 2.80%; 
Medicare: 6.48%. 

Year: 2031; 
Social Security: 6.24%; 
Medicaid: 2.90%; 
Medicare: 6.66%. 

Year: 2032; 
Social Security: 6.28%; 
Medicaid: 2.90%; 
Medicare: 6.83%. 

Year: 2033; 
Social Security: 6.32%; 
Medicaid: 3.00%; 
Medicare: 6.99%. 

Year: 2034; 
Social Security: 6.35%; 
Medicaid: 3.10%; 
Medicare: 7.15%. 

Year: 2035; 
Social Security: 6.36%; 
Medicaid: 3.10%; 
Medicare: 7.32%. 

Year: 2036; 
Social Security: 6.37%; 
Medicaid: 3.20%; 
Medicare: 7.48%. 

Year: 2037; 
Social Security: 6.38%; 
Medicaid: 3.30%; 
Medicare: 7.62%. 

Year: 2038; 
Social Security: 6.38%; 
Medicaid: 3.30%; 
Medicare: 7.75%. 

Year: 2039; 
Social Security: 6.37%; 
Medicaid: 3.40%; 
Medicare: 7.86%. 

Year: 2040; 
Social Security: 6.36%; 
Medicaid: 3.40%; 
Medicare: 7.98%. 

Year: 2041; 
Social Security: 6.35%; 
Medicaid: 3.50%; 
Medicare: 8.09%. 

Year: 2042; 
Social Security: 6.34%; 
Medicaid: 3.60%; 
Medicare: 8.19%. 

Year: 2043; 
Social Security: 6.33%; 
Medicaid: 3.60%; 
Medicare: 8.29%. 

Year: 2044; 
Social Security: 6.32%; 
Medicaid: 3.70%; 
Medicare: 8.40%. 

Year: 2045; 
Social Security: 6.3%; 
Medicaid: 3.70%; 
Medicare: 8.50%. 

Year: 2046; 
Social Security: 6.29%; 
Medicaid: 3.80%; 
Medicare: 8.61%. 

Year: 2047; 
Social Security: 6.29%; 
Medicaid: 3.80%; 
Medicare: 8.71%. 

Year: 2048; 
Social Security: 6.28%; 
Medicaid: 3.90%; 
Medicare: 8.79%. 

Year: 2049; 
Social Security: 6.27%; 
Medicaid: 3.90%; 
Medicare: 8.87%. 

Year: 2050; 
Social Security: 6.26%; 
Medicaid: 4.00%; 
Medicare: 8.95%. 

Year: 2051; 
Social Security: 6.26%; 
Medicaid: 4.06%; 
Medicare: 9.04%. 

Year: 2052; 
Social Security: 6.26%; 
Medicaid: 4.13%; 
Medicare: 9.11%. 

Year: 2053; 
Social Security: 6.25%; 
Medicaid: 4.19%; 
Medicare: 9.19%. 

Year: 2054; 
Social Security: 6.25%; 
Medicaid: 4.26%; 
Medicare: 9.26%. 

Year: 2055; 
Social Security: 6.25%; 
Medicaid: 4.33%; 
Medicare: 9.35%. 

Year: 2056; 
Social Security: 6.25%; 
Medicaid: 4.39%; 
Medicare: 9.44%. 

Year: 2057; 
Social Security: 6.26%; 
Medicaid: 4.46%; 
Medicare: 9.52%. 

Year: 2058; 
Social Security: 6.26%; 
Medicaid: 4.53%; 
Medicare: 9.60%. 

Year: 2059; 
Social Security: 6.26%; 
Medicaid: 4.60%; 
Medicare: 9.68%. 

Year: 2060; 
Social Security: 6.26%; 
Medicaid: 4.68%; 
Medicare: 9.76%. 

Year: 2061; 
Social Security: 6.26%; 
Medicaid: 4.75%; 
Medicare: 9.83%. 

Year: 2062; 
Social Security: 6.26%; 
Medicaid: 4.83%; 
Medicare: 9.91%. 

Year: 2063; 
Social Security: 6.27%; 
Medicaid: 4.90%; 
Medicare: 9.98%. 

Year: 2064; 
Social Security: 6.27%; 
Medicaid: 4.98%; 
Medicare: 10.05%. 

Year: 2065; 
Social Security: 6.28%; 
Medicaid: 5.06%; 
Medicare: 10.12%. 

Year: 2066; 
Social Security: 6.29%; 
Medicaid: 5.14%; 
Medicare: 10.20%. 

Year: 2067; 
Social Security: 6.29%; 
Medicaid: 5.22%; 
Medicare: 10.28%. 

Year: 2068; 
Social Security: 6.30%; 
Medicaid: 5.30%; 
Medicare: 10.35%. 

Year: 2069; 
Social Security: 6.30%; 
Medicaid: 5.38%; 
Medicare: 10.42%. 

Year: 2070; 
Social Security: 6.31%; 
Medicaid: 5.47%; 
Medicare: 10.48%. 

Year: 2071; 
Social Security: 6.31%; 
Medicaid: 5.55%; 
Medicare: 10.54%. 

Year: 2072; 
Social Security: 6.31%; 
Medicaid: 5.64%; 
Medicare: 10.59%. 

Year: 2073; 
Social Security: 6.32%; 
Medicaid: 5.73%; 
Medicare: 10.65%. 

Year: 2074; 
Social Security: 6.32%; 
Medicaid: 5.82%; 
Medicare: 10.70%. 

Year: 2075; 
Social Security: 6.32%; 
Medicaid: 5.91%; 
Medicare: 10.74%. 

Year: 2076; 
Social Security: 6.32%; 
Medicaid: 6.01%; 
Medicare: 10.79%. 

Year: 2077; 
Social Security: 6.32%; 
Medicaid: 6.10%; 
Medicare: 10.84%. 

Year: 2078; 
Social Security: 6.32%; 
Medicaid: 6.20%; 
Medicare: 10.88%. 

Year: 2079; 
Social Security: 6.32%; 
Medicaid: 6.29%; 
Medicare: 10.93%. 

Year: 2080; 
Social Security: 6.32%; 
Medicaid: 6.39%; 
Medicare: 10.98%.

Source: GAO analysis based on data from the Office of the Chief 
Actuary, Social Security Administration, Office of the Actuary, Centers 
for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Congressional Budget 
Office. 

Notes: Social Security and Medicare projections based on the 
intermediate assumptions of the 2006 Trustees' Reports. Medicaid 
projections based on CBO's August 2006 short-term Medicaid estimates 
and CBO's December 2005 long-term Medicaid projections under mid-range 
assumptions. 

[End of Figure] 

Debt per Capita Could Exceed GDP Per Capita by 2030 Assuming 
Discretionary Spending Grows with GDP after 2006 and All Expiring Tax 
Provisions are Extended: 

[See PDF for image] – graphic text: 
	
Bar graph with six items. 

2005; 
Debt per Capita: $15,222; 
GDP per Capita: $40,763. 

2030; 
Debt per Capita: $85,303; 
GDP per Capita: $56,752. 

2040; 
Debt per Capita: $169,435; 
GDP per Capita: $57,352. 

Source: GAO's August 2006 analysis. 

GAO-07-284CG: 

Federal Tax Expenditures Exceeded Discretionary Spending for Half of 
the Last Decade: 

Dollars in billions (in real 2005 dollars) 1400: 

[See PDF for Image] - graphic text: 

Fiscal year: 1982; 
Mandatory spending: $601.60; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $463.30; 
Discretionary spending: $585.80. 

Fiscal year: 1983;  
Mandatory spending: $628.50; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $499.60; 
Discretionary spending: $608.00. 

Fiscal year: 1984;  
Mandatory spending: $599.60; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $529.70; 
Discretionary spending: $629.70. 

Fiscal year: 1985; 
Mandatory spending: $644.80; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $568.70; 
Discretionary spending: $688.40. 

Fiscal year: 1986; 
Mandatory spending: $653.40; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $618.80; 
Discretionary spending: $688.90. 

Fiscal year: 1987; 
Mandatory spending: $645.00; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $577.10; 
Discretionary spending: $680.10. 

Fiscal year: 1988;  
Mandatory spending: $665.30; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $448.10; 
Discretionary spending: $689.30. 

Fiscal year: 1989;  
Mandatory spending: $694.40; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $474.50; 
Discretionary spending: $698.40. 

Fiscal year: 1990;  
Mandatory spending: $782.80; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $480.10; 
Discretionary spending: $689.60. 

Fiscal year: 1991; 
Mandatory spending: $792.10; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $472.00; 
Discretionary spending: $708.10. 

Fiscal year: 1992; 
Mandatory spending: $839.90; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $488.20; 
Discretionary spending: $691.40. 

Fiscal year: 1993; 
Mandatory spending: $850.30; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $494.80; 
Discretionary spending: $683.10. 

Fiscal year: 1994; 
Mandatory spending: $889.70; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $520.20; 
Discretionary spending: $671.20. 

Fiscal year: 1995; 
Mandatory spending: $897.20; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $538.80; 
Discretionary spending: $661.60. 

Fiscal year: 1996; 
Mandatory spending: $937.40; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $541.70; 
Discretionary spending: $634.60. 

Fiscal year: 1997; 
Mandatory spending: $948.60; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $565.70; 
Discretionary spending: $640.70. 

Fiscal year: 1998; 
Mandatory spending: $994.40; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $640.10; 
Discretionary spending: $638.70. 

Fiscal year: 1999; 
Mandatory spending: $1028.10; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $688.60; 
Discretionary spending: $653.20. 

Fiscal year: 2000; 
Mandatory spending: $1064.90; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $720.10; 
Discretionary spending: $688.10. 

Fiscal year: 2001; 
Mandatory spending: $1101.90; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $780.90; 
Discretionary spending: $710.00. 

Fiscal year: 2002; 
Mandatory spending: $1186.60; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $808.80; 
Discretionary spending: $787.90. 

Fiscal year: 2003; 
Mandatory spending: $1243.20; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $775.90; 
Discretionary spending: $868.50. 

Fiscal year: 2004; 
Mandatory spending: $1271.40; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $748.20; 
Discretionary spending: $920.20. 

Fiscal year: 200; 
Mandatory spending: $1319.80; 
Sum of tax expenditure revenue loss estimates: $775.70; 
Discretionary spending: $968.50. 

Note: Summing tax expenditure estimates does not take into account 
interactions between individual provisions. Outlays associated with 
refundable tax credits are included in mandatory spending. 

Source: GAO analysis of OMB budget reports on tax expenditures, fiscal 
years 1976-2007. 

[End of Figure] 

Health Care Is the Nation's Top Tax Expenditure in Fiscal Year 2005: 

[See PDF for image] – graphic text: 

Bar graph with five items. 

Estimated dollars in billions. 

Exclusion of employer contributions for insurance premiums and medical 
care: $118.4*; 
Deductibility of mortgage interest on owner-occupied dwellings: $62.2; 
Exclusion of pension contributions and earnings: employer-sponsored 
defined benefit plans: $50.6; 
Child tax credit: $41.8**; 
Exclusion of pension contributions and earnings: employer-sponsored 
401(K) plans: $37.4. 

Note: "Tax expenditures" refers to the special tax provisions that are 
contained in the federal income taxes on individuals and corporations. 
OMB does not include forgone revenue from other federal taxes such as 
Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes. 

* If the payroll tax exclusion were also counted here, the total tax 
expenditure for employer contributions for health insurance premiums 
would be about 50 percent higher or $177.6 billion. 

** This is the revenue loss and does not include associated outlays of 
$14.6 billion. 

Source: Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Analytical Perspectives, 
Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2007. 

[End of Figure] 

Current Fiscal Policy Is Unsustainable: 

The "Status Quo" is Not an Option: 

* We face large and growing structural deficits largely due to known 
demographic trends and rising health care costs. 

* GAO's simulations show that balancing the budget in 2040 could 
require actions as large as: 

- Cutting total federal spending by 60 percent or: 

- Raising federal taxes to 2 times today's level: 

Faster Economic Growth Can Help, but It Cannot Solve the Problem: 

* Closing the current long-term fiscal gap based on reasonable 
assumptions would require real average annual economic growth in the 
double digit range every year for the next 75 years. 

* During the 1990s, the economy grew at an average 3.2 percent per 
year. 

* As a result, we cannot simply grow our way out of this problem. Tough 
choices will be required. 

The Way Forward: A Three-Pronged Approach: 

1. Improve Financial Reporting, Public Education, and Performance 
Metrics: 

2. Strengthen Budget and Legislative Processes and Controls: 

3. Fundamental Reexamination & Transformation for the 21St Century 
(i.e., entitlement programs, other spending, and tax policy): 

Solutions Require Active Involvement from both the Executive and 
Legislative Branches: 

Improve Financial Reporting, Public Education, and Performance Metrics: 

Improve transparency & completeness of President's budget proposal: 

* Return to 10-year estimates in budget both for current policies and 
programs and for policy proposals: 

* Include in the budget estimates of long-term cost of policy proposals 
& impact on total fiscal exposures: 

* Improve transparency of tax expenditures: 

Consider requiring President's budget to specify a path to on-budget 
balance within 10-year window or explain the selection of an 
alternative deadline: 

Require annual OMB report on existing fiscal exposures [liabilities, 
obligations, explicit & implied commitments] 

Require enhanced financial statement presentation and preparation of 
summary annual report that is both useful and used: 

Develop key national (outcome-based) indicators (e.g., economic, 
security, social, environmental) to chart the nation's position, 
progress, and position relative to the other major industrial 
countries: 

Strengthen Budget and Legislative Processes and Controls: 

Restore discretionary spending caps & PAYGO rules on both sides of the 
ledger: 

Develop mandatory spending re-examination triggers and other action- 
forcing provisions (e.g., sunsets) for both direct spending programs 
and tax preferences: 

Develop, impose & enforce modified rules for selected items (e.g., 
earmarks, emergency designations, and use of supplementals): 

Require present value cost estimates for any legislative debate on all 
major tax and spending bills, including entitlement programs. Cost 
estimates should usually assume no sunset: 

Extend accrual budgeting to insurance & federal employee pensions; 
develop techniques for extending to retiree health & environmental 
liabilities: 

Consider biennial budgeting: 

Consider expedited line item rescissions from the President that would 
only require a majority vote to override the proposed rescission(s): 

Fundamental Reexamination & Transformation: 

Restructure existing entitlement programs: 

Reexamine and restructure the base of all other spending: 

Review & revise existing tax policy, including tax preferences and 
enforcement programs: 

Expand scrutiny of all proposed new programs, policies, or activities: 

Reengineer internal agency structures and processes, including more 
emphasis on long-term planning, integrating federal activities, and 
partnering with others both domestically and internationally: 

Strengthen and systematize Congressional oversight processes: 

Increase transparency associated with government contracts and other 
selected items: 

Consider a capable, credible, bi-partisan entitlement and tax reform 
commission along the lines proposed by Sen. Voinovich and Cong. Wolf: 

Financial Literacy: The Ability to Make Informed Judgments and Manage 
Money Effectively: 

Financial Literacy is important to understanding one's own finances as 
well as the government's: 

What does financial literacy mean in the context of one's own finances? 

Developing a personal budget and sticking to it: 

Understanding certain basic concepts, such as not consistently spending 
more than you make and the power of compounding: 

Understanding basic banking options and principles (e.g., checking v. 
savings accounts, differences in interest rates and bank fees): 

Making prudent use of credit and minimizing interest accumulation on 
credit card debt: 

Having adequate savings for unexpected health shocks or life crises 
(e.g., job loss): 

Recognizing when to file a longer tax form, including which tax 
deductions (e.g., mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable 
contributions) and credits (e.g., child care) apply; understanding how 
tax forms are prepared; and knowing when to seek professional help: 

Understanding student loan options and repayment plans: 

Understanding and maximizing savings (e.g., health, college) and 
investment vehicles, including related tax provisions and when to seek 
professional help: 

Knowing about, participating in, and preserving savings from retirement 
accounts: 

Building equity through real-estate and understanding the various 
financing options and related risks: 

Caring for dependents today and in the future (e.g., financing child 
care and/or long-term care): 

Understanding when to seek assistance for estate planning: 

What does financial literacy mean in n the context of the government's 
finances? 

Understanding how the budget is formulated: 

Understanding the basic make-up of the budget, including major and 
minor revenue sources and spending programs: 

Recognizing the difference between discretionary and mandatory 
spending: 

Knowing the impact of earmarks and supplementals: 

Being cognizant of the short and long term fiscal forecasts: 

Knowing the difference between the unified cash based-deficit, the 
operating deficit, and the accrual deficit: 

Understanding what federal "trust funds" are and are not: 

Understanding the difference between tax cuts that stimulate the 
economy and those that pay for themselves: 

Being mindful of the potential implications of excessive debt finance: 

Recognizing the additional risk imposed on foreign investors: 

Understanding inflation and the impact of changing interest rates: 

Why Improving Financial Literacy is Important: 

Financial literacy is important for three key reasons: 

The number and complexity of financial products have grown 
tremendously, and consumers face an increasing array of options for 
managing their personal finances: 

Technological advances have increased the capacity for targeted 
marketing to consumers, which may increase some consumers' 
vulnerability to fraudulent financial products: 

Workers today are increasingly responsible for managing their own 
retirement savings-yet at the same time, the nation's personal saving 
rate has fallen dramatically in recent decades, and household debt 
hovers at record high levels: 

Ensuring that Americans have the knowledge and skills to manage their 
money wisely is a key element in improving the economic health of our 
nation in current and future generations: 

The Financial Literacy and Education Commission: 

The Financial Literacy and Education Commission was created by the 2003 
Financial Literacy and Education Improvement Act: 

The Commission is chaired by the Treasury Department, is comprised of 
20 federal agencies, and was charged with developing and implementing a 
national strategy for financial literacy: 

In fiscal year 2005, Congress provided the Commission $1 million to 
develop and implement the national strategy: 

The act also mandated that GAO assess the Commission's effectiveness in 
promoting financial literacy and education: 

GAO's Recent Report on the Financial Literacy and Education Commission: 

GAO's December 2006 report on the Commission (GAO-07-100) found that: 

The strategy is comprehensive in scope and serves as a useful first 
step in focusing the public's attention on this issue, but it does not: 

* Set clear and specific goals or performance measures by which to 
benchmark progress: 

* Address the resources needed to accomplish these goals: 

* Fully discuss appropriate roles, responsibility, and accountability 
for achieving them: 

The Commission's website and telephone hotline offer financial 
information from federal agencies, but the Commission has not tested 
its public website for usability and has not measured users' 
satisfaction: 

The Commission has taken steps to promote partnerships but the impact 
of these efforts is unclear: 

Extent to Which The National Strategy for Financial Literacy Addresses 
GAO's Desirable Characteristics of a National Strategy: 

Desirable characteristic: Clear purpose, scope, and methodology; 
Generally addresses: X; 
Partially addresses: [Empty}; 
Does Not address:  [Empty]. 

Desirable characteristic: Detailed discussion of problems and risks; 
Generally addresses: [Empty]; 
Partially addresses: X; 
Does Not address: [Empty]. 

Desirable characteristic: Desired goals, objectives, activities, and 
performance measures; 
Generally addresses: [Empty]; 
Partially addresses: X; 
Does Not address: [Empty]. 

Desirable characteristics: Description of future costs and resources 
needed; 
Generally addresses: [Empty]; 
Partially addresses: X; 
Does Not address: [Empty]. 

Desirable characteristics: Organizational roles, reponsibilities, and 
coordination; 
Generally addresses: [Empty]; 
Partially addresses: X; 
Does Not address: [Empty]. 

Desirable characteristics: Description of integration with other 
entities; 
Generally addresses: [Empty]; 
Partially addresses: X; 
Does Not address: [Empty]. 

[End of table] 

GAO's Recent Report on the Financial Literacy and Education Commission: 

GAO recommends that the Commission: 

Incorporate additional elements into the national strategy to help 
measure results and ensure accountability (e.g., a concrete definition 
for financial literacy and education to help define the scope of work 
and clear, specific goals and performance measures that would serve as 
indicators of the nation's progress in improving financial literacy): 

Conduct usability tests of and measure customer satisfaction with its 
Web site (e.g., measure the quality of users' experiences with the site 
and consider online surveys, focus groups, or email feedback forms): 

Independently review for duplication and evaluate the effectiveness of 
federal activities (e.g., provide for an independent third party 
assessment): 

Expand upon current efforts to cultivate sustainable partnerships with 
nonprofit and private entities (e.g., expand current relationships or 
develop new ones and engage state and local governments as well): 

GAO's Efforts to Increase Financial Literacy: 

Conducting sessions and providing materials to new and current members 
of Congress to emphasize the need for fiscal responsibility: 

Testifying before Congress: 

Participating in interviews with C-SPAN, Bloomberg, Marketplace, CNBC 
Federal News Radio' and others on key budget and oversight concepts: 

Discussing the fiscal condition during speeches and presentations: 

Meeting with editorial boards across the country and writing opinion 
pieces for major newspapers: 

Hosting a Comptroller General Forum on Financial Literacy in November 
2004, which resulted in a written product, GAO-05-93SP: 

Supporting the efforts of the AICPA's 360° of Financial Literacy 
Campaign: 

Coordinating with Public Agenda and Viewpoint Learning: 

Participating in the Fiscal Wake-up Tour: 

The Fiscal Wake-up Tour: 

Objectives: To state the facts and speak the truth regarding the 
nation's current financial condition and long-term fiscal outlook in 
order to increase public awareness and accelerate actions by 
appropriate federal, state, and local officials: 

Structure: A partnership with the Concord Coalition, the Heritage 
Foundation, the Brookings Institute, GAO, and others: 

Timing : Began in September, 2005 and expected to continue at least 
through the 2008 Presidential elections: 

An upcoming segment of 60 Minutes is planned for early 2007 to 
highlight the tour: 

Fiscal Wake-up Tour: Where We've Been: 

2005: 

Richmond, VA: 
Minneapolis, MN: 
Portland, OR: 

2006: 

Atlanta, GA: 
Raleigh, NC: 
Omaha, NE: 
Kansas City, KS: 
Wilmington, DE: 
Philadelphia, PA: 
San Diego, CA: 
Washington, DC: 
Nashville, TN: 
Austin, TX: 
Chicago, IL: 
Denver, CO: 
Seattle, WA: 

Details on our website - http://www.gao.gov under "Fiscal Wake-up Tour" 

Fiscal Wake-up Tour: Where We're Headed: 

Date: January 10; 
Location: Columbus, OH; 
Host: The John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy at 
the Ohio State University. 

Date: February 1; 
Location: Des Moines, Iowa; 
Host: Drake University. 

Date: Mid-February; 
Location: Manchester, New Hampshire; 
Host: St. Anselm College. 

Date: February 21-22; 
Location: Miami and "treasure Coast," Florida; 
Host: The new Bob Graham Institute at the University of Miami. 

Date: Early March; 
Location: Charleston, South Carolina; 
Host: The League of Women Voters of Greater Charleston. 

Date: March 14 -March 17; 
Location: Sacramento and San Francisco, California; 
Host: TBD. 

[End of table] 

Steps the CPA Community Can Take: 

Individuals need to be informed about ways to 1) better manage their 
own finances and 2) understand the fiscal imbalance that our federal 
government faces: 

What the government can do: 

* Improve its financial reporting: 

* Prepare and disclose a summary annual report: 

* Conduct education and discussion forums: 

What the CPA profession can do: 

* Get informed and involved on the current and projected fiscal 
imbalance: 

* Communicate with key opinion leaders and elected officials on the 
importance of fiscal responsibility: 

* Help your clients and the community revisit their personal financial 
plans: 

* Consider the recommendations GAO has made to Treasury on their 
national strategy and apply GAO's findings and recommendations to your 
own projects such as 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy and other web 
tools: 

Moving the Debate Forward: 

The Sooner We Get Started, the Better: 

* The miracle of compounding is currently working against us: 

* Less change would be needed, and there would be more time to make 
adjustments: 

* Our demographic changes will serve to make reform more difficult over 
time: 

Need Public Education, Discussion, and Debate: 

* The role of government in the 21st Century: 

* Which programs and policies should be changed and how: 

* How government should be financed: 

Key Leadership Attributes Needed for These Challenging and Changing 
Times: 

* Courage: 
* Integrity: 
* Creativity: 
* Stewardship: 

On the Web: 

Web site: [Hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/cghome.htm]: 

Contact: 

Paul Anderson, Managing Director, Public Affairs AndersonP1@gao.gov 
(202) 512-4800: 

U.S. Government Accountability Office 441 G Street NW, Room 7149 
Washington, D.C. 20548: 

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