Kent Conrad: “In your judgement, how much money would be needed to really meet the need?”

We did a whole series of things in our Social Security reform not to discourage people from working, but to encourage them to continue working if they are able to do so.

Social Security's financial challenge affects nearly our entire society, and the solutions will require a broad-based approach.

What is realistic is to deal with these changes in a way that does expand access, that does expand the opportunity for people to participate in a retirement plan at work.

The surviving spouse provisions are especially important with regard to offsetting some of the unfairness that exists elsewhere.