Book Forum # *Reimagining Social Security: Global Lessons for Retirement Policy Changes* Published By Cato Institute • 2025 ##### Watch the Event Submit questions in the comment box on this page. For event updates, follow [@CatoInstitute](https://x.com/catoinstitute) on X. If you have questions about the event or your registration, please email [events@​cato.​org](mailto:events@cato.org). Date and Time October 30, 2025 9 AM - 2 PM EDT Location Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC Share This Event ##### Featuring ![Andrew G. Biggs circle crop](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2024-03/andrew-g-biggs-circle.jpeg?itok=cQYogL_b) Andrew G. Biggs Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute ![Charles Blahous - cropped](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2025-08/Blahous-circle.jpg?itok=s8Nn_Vx_) Charles Blahous J. Fish and Lillian F. Smith Chair and Senior Research Strategist, Mercatus Center at George Mason University [![Romina-Boccia-cropped2.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2022-09/Romina-Boccia-cropped2.jpg?itok=7drYb2ok)](/people/romina-boccia) [Romina Boccia](/people/romina-boccia) Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy, Cato Institute [ ](https://x.com/RominaBoccia) [![Krit Chanwong Cropped](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2025-07/Krit%20Chanwong.png?itok=r-__M0D_)](/people/krit-chanwong) [Krit Chanwong](/people/krit-chanwong) Research Associate, Cato Institute ![Douglas Criscitello - cropped](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2025-08/criscitello-circle.jpg?itok=-MlVN5US) Douglas Criscitello Program Integrity Fellow, Arnold Ventures [ ](https://x.com/criscitello) ![Jason Fichtner circle](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2024-03/jason-fichtner-circle.jpeg?itok=Bi5gOHGx) Jason Fichtner Executive Director, Retirement Income Institute [ ](https://x.com/JJFichtner) ![Rachel Greszler circle crop](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2024-03/rachel-greszler-circle.jpeg?itok=q-jdmp0s) Rachel Greszler Senior Research Fellow, Heritage Foundation ![david-john-circle](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2025-08/david-john-circle.jpg?itok=Zn238HY5) David John Senior Strategic Policy Advisor, AARP Public Policy Institute [ ](https://x.com/dcjretiresecure) ![Hunter Johnson Cropped](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2025-07/Hunter%20Johnson%20Cropped.png?itok=84frU2la) Hunter Johnson Research Associate, Cato Institute [![Adam N. Michel cropped](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2023-02/adam-michel-cropped.jpg?itok=2xIg84-_)](/people/adam-n-michel) [Adam N. Michel](/people/adam-n-michel) Director of Tax Policy Studies, Cato Institute; Former Deputy Staff Director at the US Congress Joint Economic Committee [ ](https://x.com/adamnmichel) [![Ivane Nachkebia Headshot cropped-1](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2026-06/Ivane%20Nachkebia%20Headshot%20cropped-1.jpg?itok=GoypIGZN)](/people/ivane-nachkebia) [Ivane Nachkebia](/people/ivane-nachkebia) Research Consultant, Cato Institute ![chrispope-circle](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2025-08/chrispope-circle.jpg?itok=cuZ-P2ZZ) Chris Pope Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute [ ](https://x.com/CPopeHC) ![Slavov-circle](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2025-08/Slavov-circle.jpg?itok=MhSmOKbZ) Sita Nataraj Slavov Professor of Public Policy in the Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University ![Warshawsky-circle](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2025-08/Warshawsky-circle.jpg?itok=Nqsaz9iP) Mark J. Warshawsky Senior Fellow and Wilson H. Taylor Chair in Health Care and Retirement Policy, American Enterprise Institute Join us for the official launch of *Reimagining Social Security: Global Lessons for Retirement Policy Changes* by **Romina Boccia** and **Ivane Nachkebia**, a timely and urgent new book in which the authors rethink how America can safeguard retirement security for current and future generations. As the Social Security program nears a fiscal tipping point, the authors bring together expert insights, international case studies, and actionable policy solutions to show how the United States can reform its retirement system without burdening younger generations with unsustainable debt and taxes. Now marking its 90th year, Social Security faces a critical moment: by 2033, the program’s trust fund depletion could trigger automatic benefit cuts of 23 percent unless Congress acts. *Reimagining Social Security* dives into the root causes of this crisis and explores how reforms adopted in countries including Canada, Germany, Sweden, and New Zealand can offer valuable guidance for the United States. Through original interviews and novel analysis, the authors present a compelling case for bold reforms that take a meaningful step toward fiscal sustainability while safeguarding a vital source of income for many retirees and protecting workers from undue tax burdens that reduce their choices and opportunities for a better life. The event will feature presentations and panel discussions with leading experts in retirement and fiscal policy. Join us for a timely discussion on principled, evidence-based reforms to restore Social Security’s fiscal sustainability and to protect future generations from mounting debt and economic decline—before it’s too late. Complimentary **breakfast and lunch** will be provided. --- ### Schedule 8:15 - 9:00 AM **Breakfast** 9:00 - 9:30 AM **Public Opinion and the Path to Reform** [**Romina Boccia**](https://cato.org/people/romina-boccia), Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy at the Cato Institute [**Hunter Johnson**](https://www.cato.org/people/hunter-johnson), Research Associate for the Project on Public Opinion at the Cato Institute [**Ivane Nachkebia**](https://www.cato.org/people/ivane-nachkebia), Research Consultant, Budget and Entitlement Policy at the Cato Institute 9:30 - 9:35 AM **Break** 9:35 - 10:20 AM **Panel Discussion: Transitioning to a Flat-Benefit System** **Andrew Biggs**, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute **Chris Pope**, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute **Sita Slavov**, Professor of Public Policy in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University Moderated by **Romina Boccia**, Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy at the Cato Institute 10:20 - 10:25 AM **Break** 10:25 - 11:10 AM **Panel Discussion: Slowing the Growth of Social Security** **Charles Blahous**, J. Fish and Lillian F. Smith Chair and Senior Research Strategist at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University **Jason Fichtner**, Executive Director of the Retirement Income Institute **Mark J. Warshawsky**, Senior Fellow and Wilson H. Taylor Chair in Health Care and Retirement Policy at the American Enterprise Institute Moderated by **Douglas Criscitello**, Program Integrity Fellow at Arnold Ventures 11:10 - 11:15 AM **Break** 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM **Panel Discussion: Enhancing Private Retirement Savings** **Andrew Biggs**, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute **David John**, Senior Strategic Policy Advisor at the AARP Public Policy Institute [**Adam N. Michel**](https://www.cato.org/people/adam-n-michel), Director of Tax Policy Studies at the Cato Institute; Former Deputy Staff Director at the US Congress Joint Economic Committee Moderated by **Rachel Greszler**, Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation 12:00 - 1:15 PM **Lunch** 1:15 - 2:00 PM **Cato Social Security Model Presentation (optional session)** **Krit Chanwong**, Research Associate at the Cato Institute --- ![Reimagining Social Security_bookcover](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/promo_block_book_cover_1x/public/2025-08/Reimagining%20Social%20Security_bookcover.jpg?itok=4kdrchxo) ##### Featured Book ### *[Reimagining Social Security](https://store.cato.org/products/reimagining-social-security)* America’s largest entitlement program turns 90 this year—and it’s on life support. There’s no trust fund, just IOUs from the federal government and trillions in borrowing to keep the program afloat. By 2033—just eight years from now—Social Security will go bust. If nothing changes, benefits will be slashed by 20 percent or more. However, there is a remedy. *Reimagining Social Security: Global Lessons for Retirement Policy Changes* explains what is wrong with Social Security and how major retirement program reforms from Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and Sweden could work in the United States. Combining interviews and new analysis, this book lays out real-world solutions that protect seniors, preserve individual liberty, and fit the American economic model. [Purchase Book](https://store.cato.org/products/reimagining-social-security) [![Creative Commons License](/build/cato_2020/images/creative-commons.svg)](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) This work is licensed under a [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/).