ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by discourse with the conceptual argument that there are at least two kinds of entitlements: earned and implied. Earned entitlement is unique in that an individual claim on benefits exists, and those benefits vary according to one’s contribution. Social Security is one program that would clearly qualify as an earned entitlement. Earned entitlements are those to which an individual has a legitimate claim by power of documented contributions. Implied entitlements are granted on the basis of implied contributions attributed to a group or class of people. Implied entitlements are generally based on a population characteristic. In the case of aging programs, the population characteristic is generally a defined age. Programs that employ implied entitlements are often called universal entitlement programs. Some have attempted to muddle the issues of entitlement programs by introducing issues of targeting and resource allocation.
