The recent economic crisis has highlighted just how vulnerable many families are, particularly those hardest hit in communities of color. Social Security offers key income protections for American families in case the main breadwinner retires, becomes disabled, or dies. Social Security has thus far been very successful in offering families income when they need it the most. Still, demographic and economic changes require that we periodically revisit how Social Security works to make sure it continues to protect those most dependent on the program. Policymakers also need to find ways to pay for promised benefits for generations to come as they contemplate Social Security modernization to address demographic and economic trends. This panel will discuss several progressive approaches to modernize Social Security so it can deliver basic income protections to American families.
Read "Building It Up, Not Tearing It Down"