Statement from Rebecca Vallas, Chief Executive Officer of the National Academy of Social Insurance, on the 2026 Social Security Trustees Report
Washington, D.C. — For more than 90 years, Social Security has been part of the fabric of American life. Nearly all Americans say Social Security will be important or very important to their income when they retire. Nine in ten say Social Security’s disability insurance would be critical if they experienced a work-limiting disability. And millions […]
National Academy of Social Insurance Announces 2026 Honorees Ahead of 40th Anniversary Gala
Washington, D.C. – The National Academy of Social Insurance is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Robert M. Ball Award for Outstanding Achievements in Social Insurance, along with this year’s winners of the Frances Perkins Next Generation Award and the inaugural Robert Pear Award for Excellence in Social Insurance Journalism. The Academy will […]
Marking 40 Years of the Academy
This year marks a defining moment for the National Academy of Social Insurance. As we celebrate 40 years of advancing understanding, collaboration, and solutions around social insurance, we do so at a time of profound change for the systems that millions of people rely on for economic security, care, and dignity across the lifespan. Four […]
Aging & Disability Health Policy Lab Launches Initiative to Reduce Costs for Medicare Beneficiaries with Low Incomes
New state-based model policies aim to simplify enrollment into the Medicare Savings Programs; public comment period now open Washington, D.C. — The Aging & Disability Health Policy Lab today announced its first major policy initiative: a set of model policies designed to help states simplify access to Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), which provide critical financial […]
National Academy of Social Insurance Announces Election of New Board Members and 90 New Members of the Academy
Washington, D.C. – The National Academy of Social Insurance is pleased to announce the election of several of the nation’s top social insurance experts to steer its Board of Directors and the election of 90 new Academy Members—the largest and most diverse new member class in the Academy’s 40 year history. New Board Members Newly […]
Policy Summit 2026 – “The People Say”: Centering People in the Future of Aging & Disability Policy
Too often, public policy is designed around assumptions about what people need rather than listening to what they actually say. This conversation centers insights from qualitative research with older adults and people with disabilities, bringing their voices and perspectives to the forefront and exploring what it looks like to align our policy frameworks with the […]
We Are Social Insurance: 2026 Policy Summit
Event Overview In 2026, the Academy celebrates 40 years of advancing understanding and collaboration around social insurance. As we mark this milestone during a time of profound change and debate about the future of our social contract, we brought together Members, thought leaders, and changemakers for our annual Policy Summit. Watch the Summit Program https://youtu.be/jD_9ZnzutOY?si=yBIKMvSycgbzaaWk […]
Policy Summit 2026 – Intergenerational by Design: What Gen Z Wants for the Future of Social Security
Charting the future of Social Security takes more than just visioning and analyzing policy. It requires engaging younger generations — and investing in the next generation of policy leaders, scholars, advocates and lawmakers. The closing panel of the summit brings together young people who are already stepping up to lead the charge. The conversation explores […]
Policy Summit 2026 – Bringing SSI Into the 21st Century: Bipartisan Momentum for Reform
Created as part of the Social Security system more than 50 years ago, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) remains governed by rules written in the 1970s, including strict asset limits and income restrictions that can penalize work and savings and leave too many eligible people without support. This conversation explores what it would mean to bring […]
Policy Summit 2026 – Social Security’s Role in the U.S. Economy
As we look to the future of Social Security, this panel considers the role of the program on national, local, and personal finances; its connections to the broader retirement security landscape; the effect of recent economic trends on the program’s financial health; and how we should think about Social Security’s value as policymakers consider its […]