Retirement Security: New America Events

Social Policy After the Economic Crisis

Cecille Isidro — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:45:00 -0500

A New America Event
12/05/2008 - 12:00pm

On December 5, 2008, the New America Foundation’s Next Social Contract Initiative hosted a three panel discussion about the future of social policy after the economic downturn. David Gray, Director of the Workforce and Family Program at New America, opened the event with preliminary remarks. Karen Kornbluh, formerly of the New America Foundation, policy director in the office of Senator Barack Obama and the primary author of the 2008 Democratic Party Platform, delivered the keynote address. She was followed by a series of

Lessons in Entitlement Reform

Communications — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:15:00 -0400

A New America Event
09/08/2008 - 12:15pm

On October 28th, 1997, House Speaker Newt Gingrich and President Bill Clinton held a secret meeting where they reached a groundbreaking deal to create a centrist political coalition to reform Social Security and Medicare. Although the Lewinsky scandal ultimately undermined their agreement, the efforts of these men, and others in Congress, might serve as a model for members of both parties interested in addressing the long-term shortfalls in the nation's entitlement programs. Steven Gillon will discuss the details of… more

Should the U.S. Mandate Private Pension Saving?

Communications — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
07/09/2008 - 10:00am

On Wednesday, July 9, 2008, The New America Foundation’s Next Social Contract Initiative hosted a panel discussion on Australia’s mandatory pension plan (aka “superannuation”). Mavis Robertson, Former Chair of the Cbus superannuation fund, and Garry Weaven, Chair of Industry Funds Management and a member of the Superannuation Advisory Committee spoke on the pros and cons of superannuation. Jane White, President of Retirement Solutions, and Pamela Perun, Policy Director of the Initiative on Financial Security at the Aspen Institute, addressed whether… more

Averting a Bust for the Boomers

Communications — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:30:00 -0400

A New America Event
06/05/2008 - 9:30am

Most discussion of the impending wave of Baby Boomers entering retirement age focuses on the capacity of entitlement programs to support them. Under-examined is the question of Boomers’ abilities to support themselves and what policy changes might be necessary to help them do so. The ongoing instability in financial markets and its effect on the assets that many Boomers have planned to tap for retirement add to the uncertainty. Macroeconomic developments, workplace norms and existing policy barriers all make the… more

CA Event: Expanding Savings and Retirement Security

Communications — Thu, 22 May 2008 01:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
05/21/2008 - 12:00pm

Every day, six million Californians, or roughly 43 percent of workers in the state, go to work for an employer that does not provide any type of retirement pension or savings plan. This lack of retirement savings opportunities puts California working families at risk. On Wednesday, May 21, Mark Iwry of the Brookings Institution presented on the current retirement savings crisis in America -- its causes and the continuing effect it will have on the financial security of… more

The Great Risk Shift

Communications — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 01:15:00 -0400

A New America Event
10/18/2006 - 12:15pm

The safety net on which Americans once relied is fast unraveling. With retirement plans in growing jeopardy and health coverage eroding, more and more economic risk is being shifted away from government and business and onto the fragile shoulders of the American family. And no matter how well educated and hard working, many Americans fear that bankruptcy could be just one unexpected lay off or health crisis away.

In The Great Risk Shift: The Assault on American Jobs, Families, Health… more

Addressing the Decline of Traditional Pensions

Communications — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 22:00:00 -0500

A New America Event
03/15/2006 - 11:00am

As the House-Senate conference takes up the pension funding and reform bill this month, the conversation about how best to update the nation's retirement saving system is far from over.

The pending pension bill may achieve some important improvements, but it does little to address the fact that American workers are clearly not saving enough: A majority of the workforce does not participate in an employer-sponsored plan, an increasing number of large companies are freezing their traditional pension… more

Solutions for Increasing Savings, Ownership and Retirement Security

Communications — Tue, 14 Jun 2005 11:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
06/14/2005 - 12:00pm

Over 100 people, including key congressional staffers, leaders from the financial community, and policy advocates attended Solutions for Increasing Savings, Ownership and Retirement Security, co-sponsored by the New America Foundation and the Retirement Security Project, in conjunction with the Congressional Savings and Ownership Caucuses. Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ), Congressman Philip English (R-PA), Congressman Harold Ford (D-TN) and Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN) were active participants throughout the half-day conference, bolstering an event that included many of the pre-eminent scholars on… more

The Forgotten Issues in Social Security Reform

Communications — Tue, 29 Mar 2005 19:00:00 -0500

A New America Event
03/29/2005 - 12:00pm

The world today is very different than when Social Security was created. A number of issues should be considered when thinking about how to reform Social Security, including:

Should we update benefits to reflect changes in family status and economic well-being of the elderly?

Can our children really afford to finance our spending such a large portion of our life in retirement?

Should Social Security reform be used to help strengthen the economy through increased work and saving?

How should we think about Social… more

Forget Accounts for a Moment: How Do We Fix Social Security?

Communications — Tue, 22 Mar 2005 23:00:00 -0500

A New America Event
03/22/2005 - 12:03pm

The debate about how to reform Social Security has been dominated by the fight over whether to create individual accounts and whether or not the system faces a "crisis." The central issue, what policy changes to make to address the system's long-term deficits, has been all but ignored. An esteemed group of experts will discuss many of the various options to fix Social Security, with no mention of accounts.

Peter G. Peterson's 'Running on Empty'

Communications — Mon, 09 Aug 2004 11:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
08/09/2004 - 12:00pm

Senator John McCain has written that Pete Peterson's new book "provides a clear, concise and unvarnished look at America's political and fiscal deterioration." Former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker praises it for showing how "our fiscal profligacy and growing dependence on foreign savings cannot be sustained." Former Senator Bob Kerrey notes that, "

How to Fix Social Security

Communications — Wed, 04 Aug 2004 18:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
08/04/2004 - 12:08pm

Social Security, the single largest government program, faces hundreds of billions of dollars in annual deficits, and changes will have to be made to the program. While the Presidential candidates are not yet focusing on Social Security reform, many in Congress are. A number of plans have been offered this year. The recent report by the Congressional Budget Office, "The Outlook for Social Security," provides a new framework for comparing different approaches to reform.

Douglas Holtz Eakin, the Director of the… more

The 401(k) Fix

Communications — Thu, 13 Jun 2002 12:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
06/13/2002 - 12:00pm

In the wake of the Enron scandal, the retirement savings of many Americans are now seen as less secure. The need to reform our current pension policies, including 401(k) plans, is emerging as a national priority. Legislation has already passed the House and will soon be debated in the Senate.

Senators Grassley and Corzine will present their views on current legislation to remedy the current state of 401K plans -- and on the larger context of retirement security. … more