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Women and Social Security Alert (WomenSSA) ARCHIVES
ARCHIVED WomenSSA ALERTS

The Women and Social Security Email Alert provides women-oriented information on and analysis of proposed changes in Social Security, up-to-date developments in the debate, and current research and statistics.  The Alert also includes announcements of key activities on Social Security, especially those of special interest to women. The Alert began during the privatization debate and IWPR is restarting it to prepare for the upcoming debate on retirement security.  According to various news reports, the Obama Administration plans to turn to Social Security reform following the healthcare debate.  This e-mail Alert is part of IWPR’s mission to keep women’s concerns at the center of current policy debates. 

WomenSSA No. 23
September 2009

ITEMS IN THIS ALERT:

New Research
Economic Crisis Fuels Support for Social Security

In the News
People Are Staying Longer in Workforce

In the News
button Institute for Women’s Policy Research Public Policy Roundtable
buttonRetirement USA Conference on Re-Envisioning Retirement Security
buttonNASI Conference: Beyond the Bad Economy: Jobs, Retirement, Health, and Social Insurance


NEW RESEARCH

Economic Crisis Fuels Support for Social Security

On August 13, 2009, the National Academy of Social Insurance and the Rockefeller Foundation released a poll showing that 88 percent of Americans feel Social Security is more important as a result of the economic crisis.  The poll of 1,488 Americans was conducted July 7-14, 2009.  Other findings include:

  • 90 percent of Americans want Congress to act to preserve Social Security in the next 2 years.
  • Three-quarters of Americans say it is critical to preserve Social Security even if it means higher taxes.
  • 78 percent support extending benefits to children under age 22 of deceased or disabled parents while attending college or vocational school.
  • 76 percent support increasing benefits for widowed spouses of low-earning couples.
  • 75 percent support increasing benefits for people over the age of 85.
  • 69 percent support improving benefits for steady, low-paid workers at retirement.
  • 64 percent support improving benefits for working parents who take time off to care for children.
The full report is available at: http://www.nasi.org/usr_doc/Americans_Views_on_Social_Security.pdf

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IN THE NEWS

People Are Staying Longer in Workforce

On September 3, 2009, USA Today reported that researchers at Pew Research Center found that older workers are remaining in the workforce longer and young adults are delaying entry into the workforce.  The report found that the current recession has fueled these changes in the workforce.  Many older workers are remaining in the labor force to recoup retirement savings that were lost in the stock market crash.  Some experts attribute older workers increased work to improved health and longevity relative to previous generations.  The PEW study also found that older women are more likely to continue working because they need a pay check. 
The full story is available at: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/yb/134874346. 

The full PEW report is available at: http://pewsocialtrends.org/assets/pdf/americas-changing-workforce.pdf.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Institute for Women’s Policy Research Public Policy Roundtable

The Institute for Women’s Policy Research will host a Public Policy Roundtable to discuss caregiving credits in the social security systems of seven countries (Finland, France, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan). Dr. Elaine Fultz will present her recent research that finds caregiving credits are widespread in developed countries. Governments often use caregiving credits to prevent poverty among older women, achieve greater gender equality, promote more equal sharing of family caregiving, encourage women to work, recognize unpaid work, and provide equity across generations. The Roundtable will be held on October 8, 2009 at the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (10 G St. NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC) from 12:00 to 1:30 PM. Lunch will be provided. Please call Ashley English at (202) 785-5100 to reserve a space.

Retirement USA Conference on Re-envisioning Retirement Security

On October 21, 2009, Retirement USA will hold a conference to learn why a new private retirement system is needed, hear about principles that should underlie a new system, and discuss proposals for a universal, secure, and adequate retirement system for the future. The conference will be held from 9:30 AM-4:30 PM at the Kaiser Family Foundation Barbara Jordan Conference Center (1330 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20009). For more information, visit http://reenvisioningretirementsecurity.eventbrite.com/.

NASI Conference: Beyond the Bad Economy: Jobs, Retirement, Health, and Social Insurance

On January 21-22, 2010, the National Academy of Social Insurance will hold a conference to take stock of the implications of the recession for social insurance policies in the areas of: job loss, healthcare coverage, retirement income, disability and work-injury benefits, and long-term care. The conference will be held at National Press Club (529 14th Street, NW, 13th Floor, Washington, DC). For more information, visit http://www.nasi.org/calendar_reg3634/calendar_reg_show.htm?doc_id=1000455.

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In January, just as the debate on Social Security reform was getting underway, we launched the IWPR Women and Social Security Alert (WomenSSA). According to the positive feedback we received from you – our colleagues, our members, and advocates on this issue – this special alert system has proven to be a comprehensive resource in helping you to stay at the forefront of this topic and its effect on women. Please help us continue to produce this beneficial resource by contributing to our special Women and Social Security Alert Fund today! With your help, we will ensure the continued distribution of this important information on Social Security reform and those most affected – women. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE NOW!

MEDIA CONTACT
To interview one of IWPR’s experts or for other media questions, please contact Elisabeth Crumat (202) 785-5100 or crum@iwpr.org.

IWPR EXPERTS ON SOCIAL SECURITY ISSUES
Heidi Hartmann, Ph.D.
President and MacArthur Fellow
Jeffrey Hayes
Senior Research Associate
Ashley English
Special Assistant to the President  

Institute for Women's Policy Research 1707 L Street, NW, Suite 750 ~ Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202.785.5100 ~ Fax: 202.833.4362 ~ Email: iwpr@iwpr.org

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