White House Conference on Aging to Examine Need for Retirement Saving

Washington, DC, July 14, 2005 - The White House has convened its 2005 Conference on Aging, a once-a-decade event designed to make aging policy recommendations to the President and Congress, and to assist the public and private sectors in promoting dignity, health, independence, and economic security of current and future generations of older persons. The Conference has created a 2005 agenda that includes as one of its topics "Planning Along the Lifespan," which will examine public and private financing of services and benefits for current and future older Americans, increased personal savings, and investments for retirement.

Background
The 2005 Conference on Aging, which will be held December 11-14 in Washington, DC, is intended to produce policy recommendations to guide national aging policy over the next decade through 2015; this year's Conference occurs as the first wave of the baby boom generation prepares for retirement.

Past White House Conferences on Aging have contributed to the establishment of key aging programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, the Older Americans Act, the Supplemental Security Income Program, Social Security reforms, and establishment of the National Institute on Aging.

Throughout the year, the Conference's Policy Committee will hold meetings that are open to the public, currently scheduled for July 19-20 and September 20-21. Also, a number of mini-conferences will be held that will focus on specific issues on the Conference's 2005 agenda. This week a planning committee that includes the American Benefits Council, ERISA Industry Committee, Employee Benefit Research Institute, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and WorldatWork hosted a mini-conference entitled "Incentives to Increase Retirement Savings by Individuals and Through Employment-Based Retirement Plans." Among other things, conferees will discuss defined benefit and defined contribution plans and their role in retirement preparedness.

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A section of this website is devoted to retirement security issues.