WASHINGTON, DC – As the President travels throughout the country attempting to build interest in his plan to partially privatize Social Security, Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY18) is working to ensure that any proposals put forward will address the concerns of women.  During a Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Lowey sought assurances that the Social Security Administration would work with her to ensure that the impact of program changes on women would be evaluated.

“Women tend to live longer; they are more likely to lose a spouse and they are likely to spend less time in the workforce.  More than men, women rely on the guaranteed benefits of Social Security and we need to make sure they won’t be hurt by any ‘reforms’ that cut benefits for survivors or retirees,” said Lowey.

At today’s hearing, Lowey asked Social Security Commissioner Jo Anne Barnhart whether she agreed that we must take into consideration the unique circumstances of women before moving forward with changes to Social Security.  Barnhart agreed that we must examine the impact of any proposal to make sure that disparate populations are not disproportionately harmed.  Barnhart further stated that the Social Security Administration would work with members of Congress and the Administration to compile distributional analysis of any proposals to change the present system.  Such scrutiny would allow better understanding of the effects of changes on different populations, including women.

“I’m so pleased that Commissioner Barnhart has offered to provide analysis of proposals.  Right now, we are suffering from a lack of information.  Because the President has offered no specific reforms, we do not know exactly what harm his plan might cause women, whether they are 65 or 25,” said Lowey.  “Breakdowns by the Social Security Administration will be crucial in providing a better understanding of the cuts in benefits women will face under partial privatization.  Without such investigation, it would be difficult to make sure that women’s needs and concerns are addressed.”