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Cosponsored by the Cato Institute and the National Black Chamber of Commerce

March 19, 2002 • Cato Institute • Washington, D.C.

Perhaps no group has as much at stake in the debate over Social Security reform as African Americans. Elderly African Americans are much more likely than their white counterparts to be dependent on Social Security benefits for most or all of their retirement income. Yet Social Security benefits are inadequate to provide for the retirement needs of the elderly poor, which leaves nearly 30 percent of African-American seniors in poverty.

As the debate over Social Security reform heats up, several questions have been raised that are of particular interest to the African-American community:

• Is the current system fair to African Americans?
• What is the best way to increase savings and wealth in the black community?
• Would African Americans be helped or hurt by privatizing the system?
• How would other proposed Social Security reforms impact minority workers and retirees?

This conference will examine the issues surrounding Social Security from an African-American perspective. Leading experts from across the political and ideological spectrum will look at what Social Security has meant to the African-American community and how proposed changes will impact the community.

Featured Speakers

Harry C. Alford President National Black Chamber of Commerce	J. Kenneth Blackwell Secretary of State Ohio	Rev. Floyd Flake Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church	Gwendolyn King Former Social Security Commissioner Member, President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security

| About the Conference | Conference Program |