Social Security Symposium: A Global Perspective
Featuring
![Andrew G. Biggs circle crop](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2024-03/andrew-g-biggs-circle.jpeg?itok=cQYogL_b)
Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
![Senator Bill Cassidy photo](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2024-05/bill-cassidy.jpeg?itok=fMtgPZYa)
(R‑LA)
![Philip Cross circle crop](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2024-03/philip-cross-circle.jpeg?itok=_Rs_rN7F)
Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
George Gibbs Chair in Political Economy and Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center
![Jason Fichtner circle](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2024-03/jason-fichtner-circle.jpeg?itok=Bi5gOHGx)
Chief Economist, Bipartisan Policy Center
![Rachel Greszler circle crop](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2024-03/rachel-greszler-circle.jpeg?itok=q-jdmp0s)
Senior Research Fellow, Roe Institute at the Heritage Foundation
![Michael Littlewood](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2024-03/michael-littlewood-circle-new.jpeg?itok=Tcq17Cz6)
Honorary Academic, Retirement Policy and Research Centre, University of Auckland
![Kristoffer Lundberg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2024-03/kristoffer-lundberg-circle.jpeg?itok=XwjbV22Y)
Deputy Director, Policy Analysis Unit, Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs
![Andrew Moylan](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2024-04/andrew-moylan-Cropped.jpg?itok=rkIRkSng)
Vice President of Public Finance, Arnold Ventures
![Martin Werdling](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2024-03/martin-werding-circle.jpeg?itok=-iLNnqiO)
Chair, Social Policy and Public Finance, Ruhr University Bochum
As we approach the 90th anniversary of the US Social Security program in 2025, and as the program’s trust fund is projected to be depleted by 2033, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. Social Security reform is essential to preserving the program’s ability to provide critical economic security to vulnerable seniors by averting indiscriminate benefit cuts, which are scheduled to occur by law when the trust fund goes to zero. Sensible reforms will ensure the program can meet this pivotal role without imposing undue debt burdens or excessive taxes on younger generations. There are further opportunities to modernize Social Security to enhance individual liberty and reduce disincentives to work and saving that undermine US economic growth.
This symposium will foster insightful discussions on the various dimensions of Social Security reform. By bringing together a diverse group of US and international experts, we will explore shared challenges and identify global lessons to inform US reform options. The insights and lessons from our conversations will equip US legislators with informed perspectives, innovative solutions, and evidence-based strategies to reforming Social Security over the next decade. Breakfast and lunch will be served.
Schedule
Breakfast
Opening Remarks
Senator Bill Cassidy (R‑LA)
Panel I: US Social Security and OECD Retirement Systems: A Comparison
Andrew G. Biggs, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
Romina Boccia, Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy, Cato Institute
Moderated by Veronique de Rugy, George Gibbs Chair in Political Economy and Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center
Panel II: Lessons from the Canadian and New Zealand Pension Systems
Philip Cross, Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
Michael Littlewood, Honorary Academic and Former Co-Director, Retirement Policy and Research Centre, University of Auckland
Moderated by Chris Edwards, Kilts Family Chair in Fiscal Studies, Cato Institute
Panel III: Lessons from the German and Swedish Pension Systems
Kristoffer Lundberg, Deputy Director, Policy Analysis Units, Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs
Martin Werding, Chair, Social Policy and Public Finance, Ruhr University Bochum
Moderated by Romina Boccia, Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy, Cato Institute
Lunch
Panel IV: Securing the Future: Rethinking US Social Security
Jason Fichtner, Chief Economist, Bipartisan Policy Center
Rachel Greszler, Senior Research Fellow, Workforce and Public Finance, Roe Institute at The Heritage Foundation
Moderated by Andrew Moylan, Vice President of Public Finance, Arnold Ventures
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