Bolstering the System: Strengthening Social Security for all New
Join the Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement for a policy discussion on the challenges for the Social Security program and reforms to strengthen it for future generations.
The Social Security program is the main retirement security pillar for Americans, paying guaranteed lifetime income protected from inflation for everyone eligible for Social Security benefits.
Former Commissioner of the Social Security Administration Martin O’Malley will keynote the conversation on the state of the Social Security program and how we can reform the system to best serve retirees now and in the future.
REGISTER HERE
WHAT: A roundtable policy discussion on the challenges for the Social Security Program and reforms for the future
WHEN: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. CDT
WHERE: The Tom and Ruth Harkin Center, Drake University in Des Moines, IA
LIVESTREAM: The Harkin Institute YouTube channel
Confirmed speakers
- Former Commissioner of the Social Security Administration Martin O’Malley (keynote)
- Rebecca Vallas, Chief Executive Officer at the National Academy of Social Insurance
- Max Ritchman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
Additional speakers to be announced in the coming weeks.
Accommodations
American Sign Language (ASL) and live captioning (CART) will be provided. Further accommodations can be requested on your ticket order form or by emailing harkininstitute@drake.edu
Accessing the event
Everyone who registers will receive additional information on how to access the event.