THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY WAS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE INTERRELATION OF INDIVIDUAL INCOME SECURITY PROGRAMS, IDENTIFY THE TRENDS AND FORCES THAT SHAPE AND CHANGE THE PROGRAMS, AND PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR THE CURRENT DEBATE ABOUT SYSTEMS PROBLEMS AND REFORM OPPORTUNITIES. THE TASK FORCE REVIEWED AND SELECTIVELY DREW FACTUAL DATA FROM THE EXTENSIVE AVAILABLE LITERATURE WITH AN EMPHASIS ON FEDERAL INCOME SECURITY PROGRAMS. CONGRESSIONAL AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIALS, INTEREST GROUPS REPRESENTATIVES, ACADEMICIANS, AND STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS IN CALIFORNIA AND WASHINGTON WERE INTERVIEWED. THE CONCLUSIONS DRAWN FROM A MULTITUDE OF INDIVIDUAL FINDINGS EMPHASIZE SIX PRIMARY BARRIERS TO THE AMERICAN SECURITY SYSTEM AND TO THE DESIGN OF ACCEPTABLE SYSTEMS ALTERNATIVES: (1) LACK OF COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL INCOME SECURITY POLICY, (2) FUNDAMENTAL DISAGREEMENT ABOUT THE DEFINITION OF THE INCOME SECURITY SYSTEM AND WHAT IT SHOULD INCLUDE, (3) LACK OF A 'SYSTEMS VIEW' (I.E., EACH PROGRAM IS MANAGED INDIVIDUALLY), (4) INABILITY TO GRASP THE SYSTEM'S NET EFFECTS DUE TO DATA AND REPORTING DEFICIENCIES, (5) PRESSURE GROUPS RESISTING CHANGE, AND (6) LACK OF A CENTRAL COORDINATING BODY PROVIDING TOTAL SYSTEM LEADERSHIP. THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDS THAT CONGRESS CREATE A NATIONAL BODY, SUCH AS A NATIONAL INCOME SECURITY COMMISSION, TO PROVIDE CENTRAL SYSTEM LEADERSHIP AND TO REMEDY EXISTING DEFECTS. THE ARTICLE INCLUDES NUMEROUS APPENDIXES, REPRINTING GAO REPORTS, INCOME SECURITY PROGRAMS, AND ALTERNATIVE DEFINITIONS OF INCOME SECURITY. (SAJ)