I have written extensively on the comparative study of social welfare policies, particularly those dealing with the elderly. Some of my recent work has been based on the comparative historical method and some has been based on quantitative cross-national analysis. My current research and writing efforts deal primarily with:

1. the comparative study of social security systems,
2. the debate over the privatization of Social Security,
3. the implications of the privatization of Social Security for women,
4. the debate over generational equity and justice between generations in connection with Social Security policy in the United States, and
5. social, economic, and political determinants of cross-national differences in various health and social welfare outcomes.

I am professor in the Sociology Department at Boston College.  I am also a research associate at the Center for Retirement Research and also affiliated with the Center on Aging & Work.  My email address is jbw@bc.edu.

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