Women have a unique stake in Social Security reform, as they are disproportionately dependent on Social Security in retirement. Twice as many women as men retire in poverty, and women receive only 75 cents in Social Security benefits for every dollar that men receive. Roughly 15 percent of women retire poor. Poverty rates are even higher for minority women: 29 percent of black women and 28 percent of Hispanic women retire in poverty. As the debate over Social Security reform heats up, several questions have been raised that are of particular interest to women:

• Is the current system fair to working women?
• What is the best way to increase savings and wealth?
• Does the current system discriminate against widows?
• Would women be helped or hurt by privatizing the system?
• How would other proposed Social Security reforms impact elderly women and younger working women?

This conference will examine the issues surrounding Social Security and women. Leading experts from across the political and ideological spectrum will look at what Social Security has meant to women and how proposed changes will impact retirement security.