And so it begins…

Wayne emails today with a link to an NPR story about an ominous milestone in U.S. history:

The first member of the Baby Boomer generation will apply for retirement benefits. Kathleen Casey-Kirschling was born just after midnight on Jan. 1, 1946. She’ll apply — online — for Social Security at a public ceremony. When Kirschling turns 62, she’ll be able to celebrate with that first monthly check. Celebrating may be short lived. Paying for 80 million retirees is not going to be cheap.

While we contemplate the next few decades of budget deficits, let’s not forget Brad DeLong’s top five reasons for privatizing Social Security.